Dufour Yachts is celebrating its 40th anniversary

In 2004, the yard is blowing out forty candles on the Birthday cake. Forty years of passion and know-how in the yachting field and a engineering spirit which has not been altered with time. In fact, it's quite the contrary.

1964-2004

What a progression - from the Sylphe and the Arpège first yacht launched by Michel DUFOUR, to the most recent, the DUFOUR 385 Grand'large, a unique cruiser that turns yachting standards upside-down!

Here are some of the key dates:

1964 - Michel DUFOUR launches the SYLPHE.
1968 - Michel DUFOUR creates the legendary ARPEGE, an unprecedented success that revolutionised the design of cruising sailing yachts.
1973 - DUFOUR becomes the leading production boat builder and is awarded the Export Prize.
1995 - DUFOUR YACHTS relaunches the concept of the fully equipped, ready- to-sail yacht with the DUFOUR CLASSIC range.
1995 - Another export prize for its international development.
2001 - Partnership with the celebrated Italian boat builder Cantieri Del Pardo
2003 - In France, the DUFOUR 40 is elected Boat of the Year 2003
2004 - At Boot Düsseldorf, 11 leading European magazines elect the DUFOUR 34 as EUROPEAN YACHT OF THE YEAR
2004 - Launch of the DUFOUR 385 Grand'Large, the first of a new generation of ocean cruising yachts.

For more information on the Dufour 34 or Dufour 385 = > see "Dufour range"

Pioneers for the past three decades, leader of the French marine industry, long famous, Dufour is at the forefront as the 2nd largest boat builder in the world.

The Arpege, the best seller of the 1970s, sold a record 1,500 units around the world. In the mid 60s, at the dawn of the new age of yacht building, Dufour Yachts built the most innovative cruising sailboat line of the era. It was so much ahead of its time that 6,000 Dufour yachts are still sailing and are much sought after on the used boat market.

Reliable boats built to last over generations have made Dufour's reputation last over time.