This is the story of a titan of the seas whose destiny was as grand as it was tragic. Designed in 1976 for the sailor Alain Colas under the name Club Méditerranée, this 72-meter, four-masted ocean giant mademaritime history with its extraordinary dimensions and avant-garde architecture. Transformed into a legendary floating hotel, the ship became a legend under the leadership of Bernard Tapie, who renamed it Phocéa. From its historic record-breaking Atlantic crossing in 1988 to its prestigious receptions, right up to its sudden sinking off the coast of Malaysia in 2021, discover the incredible journey of this exceptional sailboat.
From Alain Colas’s dreams to the floating palace: the genesis of a giant of the seas
The story of this legendary vessel began in 1976, designed by naval architect Michel Bigoin for sailor Alain Colas. Built for the solo Transat Anglaise race, the monohull named Club Méditerranée was impressive for its staggering dimensions: 72 meters long, four masts, and a cost of ten million francs. After Colas’s death, the world’s largest sailboat lay rusting in the port of Tahiti. In 1982, Bernard Tapie discovered it and decided to buy this forgotten wreck, renaming it Phocéa in homage to Marseille.
The businessman then embarked on four years of monumental renovations estimated at 68 million francs. Michel Bigoin enhanced the vessel’s sailing capabilities while transforming the racing yacht into a floating hotel offering the utmost in comfort, featuring a dozen luxurious cabins equipped with custom-designed bathrooms. Far from ostentatious opulence, the decor is characterized by elegant simplicity: fine wood paneling, a Boulle chest of drawers, and a painting by Dubuffet come together to create a setting tailor-made for prestigious receptions.
From the Atlantic record to the tragic sinking: the rise and fall of the Phocéa
Beyond luxury, Bernard Tapie wanted to turn the Phocéa into a high-performance powerhouse. In July 1988, the businessman and his crew set sail from New York to break the record for the Atlantic crossing in a monohull—a record that had stood unbroken since 1905. Despite hellish weather, the ship reached the French coast in eight days! This feat cemented the yacht’s legendary status, and it became the setting for lavish parties and political negotiations. In 1997, while Tapie was in prison, the yacht was sold to businesswoman Mouna Ayoub, before passing into the hands of Xavier Niel.
Renamed Enigma, the giant of the seas eventually stepped out of the spotlight to sail in Southeast Asia. On February 18, 2021, the four-masted ship’s incredible journey took a tragic turn: a violent fire broke out on board in Malaysia. Although the crew was rescued safe and sound, the blaze ravaged the ship, which sank for good the following day. “I cried because it was so sad,” said Bernard Tapie, deeply moved. Forty-five years after its launch, the Phocéa was lost, leaving behind the indelible memory of a titan of French sailing.
