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Launched in 2010 as a one-day event with around 50 boats and 10,000 visitors, Escale à Sète now brings together over 120 ships, old and new, and attracts almost 300,000 visitors, thanks to the commitment of over 400 volunteers.
From legendary tall ships to traditional workboats
The 2026 edition promises to be exceptional, with the presence of a number of internationally renowned tall ships. Among them :
Étoile, Nave Italia, INS Sudarshini, Belem, Vera Cruz, Florette, Phoenix, Santa Maria Manuela, Pascual Flores, Nao Victoria, as well as "Espérance", the last beef ship in the Mediterranean.
Alongside them, traditional rowing boats, lateen sails and workboats will remind us of the diversity and richness of our maritime heritage.
Music, fishing and gastronomy at the heart of the festival
In 2026, sea chanteys, recently listed as part of France's Intangible Cultural Heritage, will be given a special place of honor. Over 50 groups will perform throughout the week, on the main stage at the harbor master's office and in the various festival villages.
As France's leading fishing port in the Mediterranean, Sète boasts a strong link with the fishing world, which will be omnipresent at the event. This culture will also be expressed on the plate: tielles, escabeche, fish soup, stuffed mussels, cuttlefish rouille...
With "Escale assiette", the public can (re)discover local specialities in the festival villages, label restaurants and market halls. Highlights announced:
- a traditional Valencian paella offered by the town of Castelló de la Plana,
- a unique fish soup competition hosted by Occitan fishermen.
Italy guest of honor, sharing the Mediterranean
For this edition, Italy is the guest of honor, with seven regional delegations. The Italian Navy will be taking part with two of its emblematic tall ships: Nave Italia and Corsaro II, accompanied by the Pandora, a wooden schooner from the XIX? century restored and operated today by the Vela Tradizionale association.
Venice will be represented by the Arzanà association, which will present two traditional boats from the lagoon, as well as demonstrations of naval carpentry. Other Italian regions will be represented, notably by the AVEV âeuros Voiles d'Ãpoque du Verbano association, committed to the preservation of Lake Maggioreâ??s historic boats.
The Italian camp of the Coordination des Reconstitutions Historiques will plunge the public into the maritime history of the Republic of Genoa, with costume re-enactments and period demonstrations.
A week punctuated by major highlights
The festivities kick off on March 31 with the Tall Ships Arrival Parade. Each day will then be dedicated to a specific theme:
- april 1: Culture and Heritage Day, with an international meeting of maritime museums, a historic naval battle and activities for young people.
- april 2: Environment day with Escale Bleue meetings, sponsored by IFREMER, and attended by DRASSM and the French Navy.
- april 3: Solidarity day with sea rescue demonstrations (SNSM, French Navy, SDIS).
- april 4: Seafarers' stopover and grand parade of crews.
- april 5: guest stopover, conferences and delegation ceremonies.
- april 6: departure parade, and off to the next maritime festivals.
Practical information
- Dates: March 31 to April 6, 2026
- Location: Port of Sète
- Rates :
- Adults: ?12
- Children aged 4 to 15: ?8
- Free for children under 4
