Through this deal, the group’s Chair Sylvain Rosier has transferred his duties to Franck Delabarre, Chief Executive of the public river transport business.
A transfer in line with AXIO’s DNA
Sylvain Rosier, a successful multi-entrepreneur, acquired a majority stake in the group in early 2020, alongside Yves Plessis, Aquiti Gestion and Crédit Agricole Aquitaine Expansion, who registered their total exit on that occasion. On the advice of Edmond de Rothschild, Sylvain Rosier chose the offer proposed by AXIO Capital, whose plan builds on the corporate culture that it has successfully developed. AXIO becomes the majority shareholder and is backed by 123IM, in particular via a new fund dedicated to the financing of the Tourism and Leisure sectors. The long-standing banks of the CIC group and LCL complete the funding with a senior bank debt.
Capitalizing on the model put in place and the group’s development prospects, Sylvain Rosier supports this transfer operation with a significant reinvestment and will retain an operational role. Franck Delabarre, Nathalie Feferberg, Chief Executive of the event tourism business and Simon Lacourt, Technical Manager and cofounder of the company all three hold shares of equity in this transaction.
This managerial and capital-intensive transfer is thus in line with a process of continuity and development, ensuring both strategic stability and a stronger entrepreneurial dynamic. It illustrates AXIO’s commitment to supporting well-established regional companies having the ambition to become national leaders, and 123IM’s desire to support the development of Tourism and Leisure businesses in France, more particularly river tourism businesses.
A key player in the river transport sector
Bordeaux River Cruise has two complementary businesses: a tourism and event-based business with Les Bateaux Bordelais, which offers restaurant cruises and trips on the river Garonne with its own fleet of boats, and operation of Bordeaux Métropole’s public river transport service on behalf of Keolis. Since 2020, the group enjoyed sustained growth, consolidating its leadership thanks to modern infrastructure assets, recognized quality of service and a solid regional base.
An asserted ambition: develop the river experience in France
With a strong brand name, a strategic location and a modern fleet, Bordeaux River Cruise has all the assets to accelerate its expansion.
To address Bordeaux Métropole’s mobility challenges, the public river transport service will consolidate its deployment in the coming months, both in the city centre and upstream and downstream of existing lines. The group also wishes to expand its tourist and event-based offer for consumers and businesses by developing its services and its fleet of boats and by participating in the growing appeal of Bordeaux as a leading destination. Drawing on its expertise developed on the river Garonne, the group is also considering extending its model to other cities in France.
Parties involved
Acquirers:
- Axio Capital: Florian de Gouvion Saint-Cyr, Xavier Michaux
- 123 IM: Pierre Dupuy-Chaignaud, Edouard Delecourt, Jules-Simon Valin
- Fleuvinvest (Sylvain Rosier)
- Company directors: Franck Delabarre, Nathalie Feferberg, Simon Lacourt
Transferors:
- Aquiti Gestion: Nicolas Delaunay
- Crédit Agricole Aquitaine Expansion: Xavier Hittos
- Fleuvinvest (Sylvain Rosier, Yves Plessis)
- Company director: Simon Lacourt
Transferors’ M&A advisers:
- Edmond de Rothschild: Axel Riquet, Augustin Hay, Mariah Atchekzai
Legal advisers for the acquirers:
- Lamartine Conseil: Bintou Niang, Maeva Suire, Marie Lavaud
- Ideact Lawyers: Maud Partouche, Carole Hadrys
Transferors’ legal advisers:
- Oratio Avocats: Valérie Giet, Sabina Bartlova
Legal, Tax and Social Due Diligence:
- Lamartine Conseil: Bertrand Hermant, Maxence Colcombet, Léopold Poilpre (tax), Charlotte Moreau, Justine Billard, Manon Mestres (social), Benoit Philippe, Hortense Brosseau (business law)
Legal Vendor Due Diligence:
- Bird & Bird: David Malcoiffe, Marine Besson
Financial Due Diligence:
- Oderis: Julien Latrubesse, Thomas Corbineau, Alexis Duchêne
Transferors’ financial advisers:
- DB3C: Aurélien Gernez, Delphine Frican
Senior debt:
- CIC: Jean-Christophe Havaux, Mathieu Brunel
- LCL: Ivan Piqueras