The La Rochelle-based design office behind the Figaro 2, Lift Class40s, and NEEL trimarans
Marc Lombard founded his naval architecture firm in La Rochelle in 1982, after studying in Southampton and working with American boatyards. The firm designs both racing yachts (Figaro Bénéteau 2, Class40, IMOCA, Mini 6.50) and production models for major boatyards (Bénéteau, Jeanneau, RM Yachts, Neel Trimarans). Over 250 models have been drawn under the Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group.
Transfer to an SCOP and Marc Lombard's passing
Stricken by illness, Marc Lombard transferred his agency to his employees as an SCOP (worker cooperative) in late 2022. He passed away on September 18, 2023, at the age of 64. Today, the firm employs around ten people, including nine employee-shareholders, and is co-led by Eric Levet, a naval architect who had been part of the firm's technical team for many years.
Signature style: powerful hulls and hard chines
The firm is known for early adoption of wide stern hulls and hard chines in offshore racing designs, before these choices became the standard in Class40 and IMOCA.
