Grand Soleil

Italian sailing cruisers from Cantiere del Pardo in Forlì.

Grand Soleil is the sailing yacht brand of Cantiere del Pardo, an Italian yard founded in 1973 and headquartered on Via F.lli Lumiere in Forlì, in the Emilia-Romagna region. The first model was the Grand Soleil 34. In the years that followed, the yard collaborated with designers such as Jezequel, Frers, Farr and Botin, and in 2023 it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. As well as Grand Soleil, Cantiere del Pardo builds the motor yachts of Pardo Yachts, a range launched in 2016, and the VanDutch brand, which it acquired in 2020. The current sailing yacht models are designed by Matteo Polli, with deck and interior design by Nauta Design.

The range comprises three lines. The Performance line, which includes the GS 40, GS 44 and GS 52, is designed for competitive sailing and fast cruising. The Long Cruise line, comprising the GS 42, GS 52 and GS 60, emphasises on-board comfort. The largest boats are in the Grand Soleil Plus range, measuring 65, 72 and 80 feet. In addition, there is the GS Blue, an 11.3-metre daysailer fitted as standard with an electric pod and a hull made from recyclable thermoplastic resin. The hulls range from approximately 11 metres to the 80-foot Plus models.

Facts & figures

• A sailing brand from Cantiere del Pardo, based in Forlì in Emilia-Romagna
• The yard was founded in 1973 and began with the Grand Soleil 34
• The same group also runs Pardo Yachts and VanDutch, which it acquired in 2020
• Current models designed by Matteo Polli, with interiors by Nauta Design
• Spread across the Performance, Long Cruise and Grand Soleil Plus ranges
• Delivered in the Benelux by House of Grand Soleil in The Hague