The office was founded in 1978 by Jean Berret, a well-known regatta competitor and graduate of the Ecole Boulle and of Decorative Arts. Jean was initially very active in the world of IOR racing yachts. Numerous reputable toners are attributable to him (Jarnac, Œsophage Boogie, Berret de Paulette, etc.). Soon after these successes, French production yacht builders called on him. He then designed the First 35 in 1979 for the BENETEAU boatyard.

Olivier Racoupeau, also a regatta competitor and trained in aeronautics and space science, joined him in 1983 as an employee. Their designs won 4 world championship titles, the individual class at the Admiral’s Cup with Phoenix, the Class I BOC, and the Transat 6.50 on three occasions. They designed many series boats for BENETEAU, among others.
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In 1991, they built their first catamaran, the Marquises 56 for Fountaine Pajot. At the same time, the company produced numerous one-off custom yachts.

In 1994, Jean and Olivier went into partnership and founded Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design. The office grew rapidly in size, as did the number of boats designed, with around 15,000 vessels to date. They accompany a growing call for larger and larger custom yachts, designing exceptional yachts for demanding owners.

At the end of 2007, Jean Berret decided to retire and it is now Olivier who manages the office surrounded by a team of around ten people.
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