“Saint-Nazaire is changing the world,” declared Emmanuel Macron as the world’s largest sailing yacht, flying the French flag, was named at the Joubert graving dock in Saint-Nazaire on 29 April, heralding what many are calling a new era of travel. Accor, the owner of the Orient Express brand, is leading the project in partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA).
Described by the French president as “French pride, a technological feat”, the 220-metre, 15,000-tonne Orient Express Corinthian brings together French decorative craftsmanship and cutting-edge naval innovation.
Saint-Nazaire change le monde !
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 30, 2026
Première bonne nouvelle : Accor a mis à l’eau le plus grand voilier du monde, l’Orient Express Silenseas. Un deuxième est prévu à l’été 2027. Prouesse technologique née aux Chantiers de l’Atlantique, fierté française.
Deuxième annonce :… pic.twitter.com/nTGtZNm5Av
During the ceremony, which included an aerial salute by four Fouga Magister jets flying the French tricolour and the hoisting of three SolidSails, Laurent Castaing, chief executive of CdA, reminded the crowd that his company has been building “ships that define their era for more than one hundred and sixty years”. He also paid tribute “to the men and women of exceptional dedication and passion who made this achievement possible. To them I owe this humble pride”.
Sébastien Bazin, Accor’s chairman and chief executive, shared these sentiments, stating that the vessel “showcases the very best of French expertise and craftsmanship”. He added that bringing the Orient Express to the sea “fits naturally within the imagination of this legendary brand: a journey rooted in discovery, unhurried time, excellence, and elegance”.
The ship’s interiors evoke the golden age of grand travel, in line with the brand’s association with 1920s Art Deco glamour. They were conceived by Maxime d’Angeac, the architect and creative director of Orient Express.
Almost 2,000 craftsmen, artists and workshops contributed to bringing his vision to life. The reference point throughout is the SS Normandie, which was built in the same shipyard in the 1930s. Among the most striking features are three monumental bas-relief panels inspired by 1930s lacquerwork, each of which took a full year to complete.
Accommodating 110 guests, the ship has 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square metres, spread over four decks. Each suite features a 3.6-metre panoramic window and ceiling heights 25 centimetres higher than industry standards. Suites are furnished with leather, wood veneer and marble. Each suite comes with its own dedicated butler service.
Passengers can choose from five restaurants and private dining rooms overseen by the multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. He describes the ship as “travel in its noblest essence” and sees it as the perfect home for his culinary vision.
After dinner, guests can enjoy eight bars, including an Art Deco speakeasy, a 115-seat cabaret and even a recording studio. After a lavish dinner and after-party, guests can unwind at the Guerlain spa before heading to the pool or the marina.
However, the ambition goes beyond aesthetics. In Castaing’s words, the Corinthian is “the fruit of ten years of research and development”. It is the first ship of its size to be powered primarily by wind. Its three rigid SolidSail units rotate automatically to capture wind from any direction, and its tilting masts allow it to pass beneath major bridges.
During sea trials in February 2026, the ship reached 12 knots under wind power alone – a first for a vessel of this size. A hybrid liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion system provides backup power when needed.
Après deux années de construction, L'Orient Express Corinthian a quitté l'estuaire de la Loire tout en majesté.
— Claire Langoulant – Royaliste Légitimiste (@ClaireRoya14724) May 4, 2026
Pour les habitants de Saint-Nazaire, cette prouesse technologique 100 % française est une source de fierté.
Le navire mettra le cap sur Lisbonne le 6 mai, avant… pic.twitter.com/WELz3NH2OC
“It is a concrete technical response to the decarbonisation challenges facing maritime transport,” said Castaing.
Itineraries in the Mediterranean and Adriatic run from May to October 2026, after which the ship will cross the Atlantic and spend the winter in the Caribbean. Voyages range from one to four nights and are fully inclusive, with prices starting at €17,700 in July.
A sister vessel, the Orient Express Olympian, is currently being fitted out in Saint-Nazaire and is scheduled to set sail in 2027.
