Over half the 30-strong contestants, including defending champion Vincent Riou of France, gave up due to the difficulty of the conditions.
Desjoyeaux completed the Vendee Globe race in 84 days, three hours, nine minutes and eight seconds and in so doing, beat Riou's past 2004 record of 87 days, 10 hours.
Desjoyeaux is also the first person to win the Vendee Globe race twice, because he also beat Britain's Ellen MacArthur back in 2001.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Desjoyeaux and his achievement and is reported to have said: "With this latest extraordinary victory, Michel Desjoyeaux confirms his status as the most titled sailor in solo (racing)."
