A NACA Le Castellet helmet for the Prime Minister of Japan
An exceptional helmet born from a state visit
On the occasion of an official visit to Japan by President Emmanuel Macron, we had the honor of creating a custom full-face motorcycle helmet for Mrs. Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan and passionate motorcycle enthusiast.
Entirely designed and manufactured in our workshop in Signes, in the South of France, this helmet was crafted with particular attention to every detail.
Manufactured using a unique, patented manufacturing process, with a carbon fiber and Nomex honeycomb shell, our Le Castellet full-face helmet is among the lightest in the world. For our workshop, deeply committed to innovation, design, and French craftsmanship, this distinction carries very special significance and is a great source of pride for us and our teams.
Thank you to the Office of the President of the Republic for their trust.
For a company committed to French innovation and craftsmanship, seeing one of its helmets presented to a head of government is no small matter. Here is the story of this helmet and what makes the Castellet a truly unique piece in the world of motorcycle helmets.
Le Castellet, one of the lightest full-face helmets in the world
The model chosen is Le Castellet, NACA's iconic full-face helmet. Its distinctiveness starts with its construction. The shell combines high-strength carbon fibers with a Nomex honeycomb structure, a material used in aeronautics for its ability to absorb impact without adding weight.
The result speaks for itself: at approximately 1200g, Le Castellet ranks among the lightest full-face helmets in its category. Over a full day on the road, that difference of a few hundred grams is felt directly in the neck and in reduced fatigue.
This lightness doesn't come at the expense of protection. Le Castellet is certified to the European R22.06 standard, the most demanding safety standard for motorcycle helmets to date. Its wind-tunnel-refined profile limits turbulence and keeps the helmet stable at high speed, where many models start to vibrate.
Carbon fiber, Nomex honeycomb, a unique and patented manufacturing process: every helmet leaves the same workshop, crafted with the same rigor, whether it's for an everyday rider or a Prime Minister.
100% French craftsmanship, made in Signes
Behind every Castellet helmet, there's a workshop and skilled hands. NACA designs and manufactures its helmets in Signes, in the Var region, without outsourcing any critical steps. Shell molding, assembly, quality control, and finishing are all done on-site.
This choice comes at a cost, but it guarantees complete quality control and genuine oversight of every piece that leaves the workshop. It also makes a project like the helmet presented in Japan possible: when everything is manufactured in the same place, a model can be adapted to a specific request without going through a subcontracting chain on the other side of the world.
Made-to-measure customization, from color to one-of-a-kind piece
The helmet offered to Sanae Takaichi is not a catalog model. It was configured element by element, and that's exactly what NACA offers all its customers with the made-to-measure Le Castellet version.
The principle is simple: you start with the technical base of Le Castellet, then choose the components, colors, and finishes. Thousands of combinations are possible, allowing you to create a truly personalized piece, unmatched on the road. Safety and performance remain identical to the standard model; only the style changes.
For this helmet, we applied a roundel on each side, France's on one side, Japan's on the other. Like a nod to the meeting between the two countries. On the back, the Prime Minister's initials were added, to make this Castellet a truly unique piece, designed for one person. A detail that everyone can find, in their own way, by customizing their own helmet.
Why Le Castellet was chosen for such a project
Three reasons explain why a French helmet ended up in the hands of a head of government who's passionate about motorcycling.
Its lightness, first, which makes it one of the most comfortable helmets to wear over long periods. Its level of finish, second, showcasing French craftsmanship, worthy of an object presented in an official setting. And finally, the ability to fully customize it, transforming a production helmet into a one-of-a-kind piece.
It's this combination, rare in the market, that makes Le Castellet a helmet apart as credible on the track as at an official presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NACA helmet was given to the Japanese Prime Minister?
It is a custom version of the NACA Le Castellet full-face helmet, personalized in the brand's workshop in Signes, in the South of France.
Is Le Castellet really made in France?
Yes. The design, carbon shell molding, assembly, and finishing are all carried out in the NACA workshop in Signes, in the Var region, which you can visit by appointment.
How much does a NACA Le Castellet full-face helmet weigh?
Thanks to its carbon and Nomex honeycomb shell, Le Castellet is among the lightest full-face helmets in its category, weighing approximately 1200g.
Can I order a custom Castellet like the one from Japan?
Yes. The Le Castellet customizer allows you to compose your own helmet, from colors to finishes, starting from €1,290.