Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrate a defining moment in the story of Orient Express Sailing Yachts: the keel laying of Orient Express Olympian, the brand’s second sailing yacht.

The first block of Orient Express Olympian, the second sailing yacht of Orient Express Sailing Yachts, part of Accor Group, was laid down today at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

In keeping with maritime tradition, the keel laying officially marks the beginning of the vessel’s assembly phase. The first steel plate had been cut ten months earlier, on January 30^th, 2025.

This highly precise maneuver is carried out by one of the shipyard’s two iconic gantry cranes. It consists in positioning on its keel blocks the first of the 17 sections that will form the yacht’s steel hull.

Once this stage is complete, construction will continue in the outfitting phase – the installation of all its refined interior features at a dedicated quay, until its delivery scheduled for spring 2027, one year after Orient Express Corinthian.

This maritime tradition reflects a shared commitment to excellence and stands within the long history of major technological achievements. It also marks the continuation of the partnership between Orient Express and Chantiers de l’Atlantique – a collaboration that continues to push the boundaries of exceptional voyages and naval engineering expertise.

This crucial stage is marked by what is known as the Coin Ceremony: during which newly minted coins will be placed on the first steel block, a symbolic gesture meant to bring the yacht good fortune throughout her construction and future voyages.  

A blend of technology and tradition, Orient Express Olympian will measure 220 meters (721ft) in length, and together with Orient Express Corinthian, will measure as the largest sailing yacht in the world. It will also benefit from the SolidSail innovation developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a system designed to reduce atmospheric emissions.

Three self-supporting and tilting masts equipped with a total sail surface of 4,500m2 -1,500 m² per sail — will allow, depending on wind conditions, full wind-powered propulsion, or a hybrid mode combining sails with engines running on liquefied natural gas (LNG). The rigging is fully automated and controlled from the wheelhouse.

At the same time, a cutting edge technology known as dynamic positioning will allow the yacht to maintain its position in bays without dropping its anchor, thereby protecting the seabed in fragile and protected areas. Routes calculated by navigational systems and supported by technologies used in offshore racing will enable full use of wind power. These various features make it possible to exceed current environmental protection regulations.

As Orient Express Olympian enters construction, Orient Express Corinthian hoists its sails and begins sea trials in December. Orient Express Corinthian will set sail in May 2026 in the Mediterranean, followed by the Caribbean under the trade winds. Reservations are now open for the 2026 season – and soon for 2027: https://sailing-yachts.orient-express.com/

ABOUT ORIENT EXPRESS

Artisan of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with its trains, hotels, and sailing yachts. The brand has just launched its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome – which will be followed by Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in 2026. The experience continues with the recent launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, followed by Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and finally, the return of L’Orient Express train to railways. Since 2022, Orient Express is part of Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury brands with a century old legacy in the hotels and fine- dining sectors. In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com.

ABOUT ORIENT EXPRESS SAILING YACHTS

The result of an exceptional French partnership between Accor, world leader in hospitality, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a global pioneer in cruise-ship construction, Orient Express Corinthian and Orient Express Olympian are two visionary sailing yachts combining avant-garde design and spectacular interiors. Drawing from offshore-racing expertise, both will be powered by the revolutionary SolidSail technology: three rigid sails of 1,500 m² each, mounted on tilting masts rising over 100 meters high, enabling up to 100 % sail propulsion in favourable wind conditions.

ABOUT CHANTIERS DE L’ATLANTIQUE

With the expertise of its teams and a network of trusted partners, combined with cutting-edge industrial technology, Chantiers de l’Atlantique stands as a global leader in the design, integration, testing and delivery of cruise ships, naval vessels and offshore wind-farm substations. A pioneer in meeting the challenges of tomorrow, the shipyard’s research and development programs aim to enhance vessels’ environmental performance and contribute to the global energy transition, affirming its role as a cornerstone of sustainable maritime innovation.