Neptune Nautisme

The Neptune-Nautisme magazine is launched on January 1, 1963 (10 issues each year). It is published by the Jean-Louis Roth press group, which also owns the Caravaning magazine and is headed up by Henri de Constantin. Its creation accompanies the emergence of French recreational boating, which is growing in popularity, from the Atlantic to the Channel and the Mediterranean. The first editorial states that “boat equipment sales are expected to triple by 1965 and reach the impressive figure of 34 billion six hundred million francs”. Its pages cover both sailing and motor boats, from technical studies to reviews of different bodies of water, boat tests and classified ads. The first issues are printed in black, with illustrations, and it pioneers the first color “photorama” on a double page. 

Inaugural issue

The members of the editorial team for this first issue were truly inspired, because this document is a photo from the English photographer Keith Beken, who was unknown at the time. He went on to become the famous Beken of Cowes, sought after by all skippers, proud to have a perfect portrait of their yacht. The subject is also a good choice, with none other than the Pen-Duick, designed by the famous Scottish architect William Fife sailing close-hauled in the Solent with Eric Tabarly for balance, out in front on the bowsprit. We are in early 1963, one year before the sailor from Brittany is revealed to the public after he wins the Solo Transatlantic race in May 1964. For decades, this magazine will be an authority for recreational boaters. It adds to its prestige by launching the Neptune d’Or awards to recognize sailors who have distinguished themselves during the previous year, in several disciplines:  racing, cruising and powerboating.