A maritime heritage that still makes you dream
Whether you are a seasoned sailor or a tourist with two feet on the ground, the silhouette of an old sailing ship arouses dreams and curiosity in both of you. The success of the numerous gatherings along the coastline is not denied. Some may regret the gigantism of some events, far from the spontaneity of the 1980's when the craze for maritime heritage allowed the reconstruction of many traditional boats, from the Renard to the Cancalaise and the Recouvrance, thanks to our colleagues of the Chasse-Marée. Still, the show under sail of a three-masted school boat, a working or fishing sailboat, but also of a nice classic yacht, an old tugboat or a steam yacht, is always effective. Here are a few dates to put in the 2022 calendar.
Ostend at anchor
- Ostend (Belgium)
- may 19 to 22, 2022
- Free access
Ostend at Anchor welcomes the public in the different places of the Belgian port: the two Mercator docks, the Montgomery dock, the Cruisekaai, the Vindictivelaan and the Sint-Petrus- en -Paulusplein. More than 140 old ships are expected, of all sizes, sailing and motor. The festival is complemented by entertainment on the quay, an authentic maritime flea market, music and demonstrations.
Itsas Festibala
- Pasaia (Spanish Basque Country)
- may 26 to 29, 2022
- Free access
The port of Pasaia is very active in heritage conservation, hosting a wooden ship rebuilding yard, including a whaler, and a marine carpentry training center. Itsas Festibala welcomes many boats, from 0 to over 20 meters with Portugal as guest of honor in 2022.
Fécamp Grand'Escale
- Fécamp (76)
- june 29 to July 3, 2022
- Free access
2022 is the first edition of this maritime festival in the Normandy port. Fécamp, home of the great Newfoundland fishery, so dear to the maritime imagination, and birthplace of the Marité, aims to become the kick-off point for the season in Normandy every two years.
The program alternates parades to Etretat or Yport of 2/3 of the boats, while the remaining third continue to maintain the animation and the decoration in the basins, with the visit of some of them.
Exhibitions on land and focus on local heritage, herring and shipbuilding.
Old Hulls
- Concarneau (29)
- july 9 and 10, 2022
- Free access
Like every year, the port of Concarneau welcomes a fleet of several dozen traditional boats. Parades and sailings in the bay of the Forest are on the program, while music and animations are on the menu on the quays. Embarkations are possible, via contacts on the site.
30 years of the Fêtes Maritimes de Brest
- Brest (29)
- july 10 to 14, 2022
- Free access
The most important gathering of sailboats in France, the Maritime Festivals of Brest see the harbor covered with heritage boats. Cancelled in 2020 because of the health crisis, they will be held again in 2024, but in the meantime, the organizers are planning a smaller gathering, with tributes to the 7 previous editions, sailing and a night parade on July 14.
Party time
- Douarnenez (29)
- july 14 to 17, 2022
- Paid access
Gathering of boats at the port of Rosmeur in Douarnenez . Near the port-museum of Port-Rhu the project is based on the creation of a new boat museum, old sailing ships and working sailboats, which find their place in a city that is a melting pot of French maritime heritage. Sailing in the bay and demonstrations on land are at the heart of the project. Concerts will be held every evening.
Festival of the old riggings of Paimpol
- Paimpol (22)
- august 12 to 14, 2022
- Free access
Since 2008, the Association des Vieux Gréements et Traditions de Paimpol organizes every two years, alternating with the famous festival of sea songs, a festival mixing music groups, gathering of old traditional boats, various animations around the old trades, market of craftsmen and many other festive and cultural animations.
