An exceptional maritime event in the heart of Brittany
Organized every 2 years since 2001, the Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan returns for its 13th edition with an unchanged promise: to offer the public a lively, free and spectacular spectacle of Europe's maritime heritage. Over the course of an entire week, more than 1,400 classic and traditional boats 13 flotillas move from port to port in the sheltered waters of the "Little Sea" so dear to sailors.
Each unit sails within a homogeneous group âeuros yoles, cotres, sloops, lougres, classic yachts, vintage drifters... âeuros led by a flotilla captain. This organization allows the show to unfold harmoniously, and helps the audience to better understand the history and characteristics of the yachts.
A lively festival in 19 ports and towns
Semaine du Golfe 2025 takes place in 19 partner municipalities from Vannes to Arzon, via Auray, Ile aux Moines and Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys. Each port takes it in turn to welcome the flotillas, and organizes its own festive program: free concerts, maritime markets, exhibitions, children's activities, sea chanteys, local gastronomy... Every evening, the ports vibrate to the sounds of the festivities in a warm atmosphere.
Visit port of Vannes will, as always, be the beating heart of the event, with the arrival of tall ships, an ephemeral maritime bookshop, shows, night-time illuminations and not-to-be-missed exhibitions, such as the one devoted to photographer Emmanuel Berthier.
Don't miss our major events at sea
Among the highlights to note in his diary:
- Monday May 26th official opening in all ports.
- Tuesday, May 27 a large gathering around the Ile d'Arz.
- Thursday, May 29 houat and Hoëdic archipelago, a new feature in 2025.
- Saturday, May 31st : Grande Parade the week culminates in a spectacular nautical parade featuring all the flotillas.
- Sunday June 1st closing day.
Emblematic boats will be on display throughout the week, dockside and at sea: the Morgenster, Phoenix, Étoile du Roy, Hydrograaf and Le Français, not forgetting Éric Tabarly's legendary fleet of Pen Duicks, listed as a historic monument.
A popular, accessible and committed festival
Beyond the nautical spectacle, the Semaine du Golfe is also a major cultural and family event: visits to open-air shipyards, meetings with maritime authors, exhibitions on the megaliths of Morbihan (candidates for UNESCO World Heritage status), guided walks and open-air events.
Environmentally aware, the organization promotes soft mobility: bicycle plans, free shuttles and selective sorting are reinforced. More than 3,500 volunteers work on land and at sea to make this event a model of responsible and inclusive celebration.
An experience for all sea lovers
Sailors, the curious, families, photographers, maritime history buffs... there's something for everyone at La Semaine du Golfe. The event offers a rare immersion in living nautical heritage, with strong human encounters and the discovery of maritime know-how, past and present.
To follow the event day by day, the full program is available via the free "Semaine du Golfe" mobile application.
List of 17 participating municipalities :
- Arradon
- Auray
- Arzon
- Baden
- Crac'h
- Île aux Moines
- Arz Island
- Larmor-Baden
- Le Bono
- Le Hézo
- Locmariaquer
- Plougoumelen
- Sarzeau
- Séné
- Saint-Armel
- Saint-Gildas de Rhuys
- Valves
The islands of Houat and Hoëdic are part of the maritime festival.
