All Aboard the ArtExplorer: A ‘Museum Boat’ That Makes Artwork Accessible

Cormac Newman January 20, 2025

It’s an art gallery at sea. Hop onto the ArtExplorer — the world’s largest sailing catamaran, measuring 47 metres long and 55 metres high — to experience full immersion aboard a ‘floating museum.’

“I started to dig and found out that around half of the world’s population lives 60 minutes from the shore,” said French entrepreneur Frédéric Jousset in Barron’s Magazine. “I wanted to enlarge the traditional audiences of the art world, and that is where the population is,” added Jousset.

Artexplorer luxury design sailing yacht for charter

The story of the ArtExplorer starts in 2019. That year, Jousset created Art Explora — a foundation that aims to make art accessible to the public. In the five years since, the organization has established residency programs, public art initiatives, and launched a mobile app, Art Explora Academy, that provides free courses in art history.

As Art Explora’s latest innovation, the boat takes things one step further. Cruising from port to port, the ArtExplorer is scheduled to visit more than fifteen countries from spring 2024-26, where it invites locals to experience myriad exhibitions as part of the Art Explora Festival. Given the high-risk nature of sailing, displays lean into digital media rather than physical artwork. Provoking exhibits include “Présentes,” crafted in partnership with the Louvre. Introduced with a short documentary, the seafaring art show surveys the Mediterranean basin, using artwork and archeology to highlight female figures from various civilizations.

All Aboard the ArtExplorer: A 'Museum Boat' That Makes Artwork Accessible

Meanwhile, a sonic production by Ircam and Ircam Amplify captures the journey. The exhibit, ‘A Sound Journey Through the Mediterranean,’ translates a collage of cultures into a vivid, eleven-minute soundscape. Stimulating scenes express dynamic encounters across the Mediterranean.

To finance these exhibitions — and meet a growing demand — the ArtExplorer is open for private charter. Starting at €240,000, the charter offers a unique experience for up to twelve enthusiasts. With six state-of-the-art rooms, the ship is an artwork of its own; plush couches and patterned lounge chairs provide ultimate comfort.

The charter treats visitors to a sublime sailing experience, unhindered by engine noise. In fact, sustainability is a key facet of The ArtExplorer; the deckhouse generates 200 kilowatts of energy with a modern solar panel, while cutting-edge exhaust filters minimize waste. Contemporary technology even includes a fully automated, all-carbon sail plan. These features facilitate a peaceful ride, underscoring the boat’s quiet, contemplative nature. Standing on the expansive main deck, guests enjoy idyllic ocean views sans distraction.