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Factory Tours & Exclusive Brand Experiences

28 November 2025 | 36 Degrees News

Step Inside the World of Lagoon, Excess & Beneteau.

For Kiwi buyers planning a European pickup or wanting a deeper understanding of how their future boat is built, factory tours and private brand experiences offer an incredible insight. These events run at select times throughout the year and vary across each brand - but every tour gives you direct access to the people, expertise and innovation behind your next yacht.

Tours are not open to the public. They are invitation-only, dealer-organised experiences designed for genuine purchasers and serious prospects.

If you’re considering a new Lagoon, Excess or Beneteau in the next few years, a factory visit is one of the best ways to gain clarity and confidence.

What You Can Expect on a Factory Tour


Exclusive behind-the-scenes access
See how your yacht is built — from composite work to assembly, engineering, rigging and finishing. Meet the teams behind the craftsmanship.

Walk through current models in production
Many events include multiple boats on display, giving you a chance to compare layouts, design updates and new features well before they reach NZ.

Meet brand specialists & factory engineers
Ask detailed questions about construction, materials, customisation, bluewater upgrades, delivery timelines and European commissioning.

Sea trials & test sails
Some events (such as Lagoon’s Corsica test sails or Excess Campus sessions) include on-water experiences to help you understand performance, handling and comfort.

A genuine sense of the brand’s culture
Whether it’s Lagoon’s Exclusive Days, Excess Campus, or Beneteau’s “By Invitation”, every event is thoughtfully curated and offers direct access to the heart of the brand.

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Recent & Upcoming Examples

Excess Tour - Le Poiré Sur Vie, France
Exclusive shipyard access with models such as the Excess 11, 13 and 14 on display. A great chance to explore the Excess universe up close.


Excess Campus - Canet-en-Roussillon
Hands-on workshops, sea safety training, weather, docking manoeuvres and flotilla cruising. Two of our Kiwi couples attended this year and absolutely loved it.

Lagoon Exclusive Days - Bordeaux
Full range on display, world premieres (2025 included and exclusive look into the build of the Lagoon EIGHTY 3), factory access, and meetings with Lagoon partners and specialists.

Lagoon Sea Trials - Bonifacio, Corsica
Recent test sails included the Lagoon 38 and Lagoon 43 with dealer-organised viewing slots.

Beneteau “By Invitation” - La Bégaudière
Exclusive, invitation-only tours of the historic Beneteau shipyard with limited entry.
And so much more!

Why Kiwi Buyers Should Consider a Factory Tour

  • Get true insight into build quality and engineering
  • Understand availability, build slots, production cycles and timelines
  • Combine factory tours with European pickup planning
  • Preview new models well before they arrive in NZ (or even globally)
  • Build confidence that you're making the right decision
  • Enjoy the brand experience from the inside out
  • Make sure the model you choose suits your long-term cruising plans

If you’re planning a purchase in 2025-2028, especially a European pickup - a factory visit can be a game changer.

Register Your Interest Below

Factory tours are arranged on a case-by-case basis depending on availability, brand events and your chosen model. Register below or contact our team directly to discuss upcoming opportunities and how we can support your dream.

Enquire About Factory Tours. Want to talk now? Call 09 903 1001, we would love to have a chat!

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