Publication date: 19/06/2024
La Rochelle, a city turned towards the ocean
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and one of the liveliest stretches of water in France, La Rochelle is renowned for its sailing and boating activities. Home to several boat-building yards and the famous Grand Pavois festival, La Rochelle has been a meeting place for lovers of the sea, motorboats and sailboats for decades.
In the city’s ports, and particularly in La Rochelle’s Vieux-Port, residents and visitors alike are always delighted to admire the many ships from the quayside that bear witness to France’s maritime heritage.
From the traditional boats of the Charente-Maritime inlets to the famous Joshua by Bernard Moitessier, moored on the pontoons of the Musée Maritime de La Rochelle, all these boats make up an invaluable living heritage, which local players are determined to promote. That’s why the Fêtes maritimes de La Rochelle teams, along with some 250 volunteers, have set out to organize a renowned international event. There’s no doubt that it will be a hit with all enthusiasts!
The first edition of an exceptional maritime festival
For the first time, the Fêtes maritimes de La Rochelle will be held around the Bassin des Chalutiers in La Rochelle’s Vieux Port. For four days, from June 20 to 23, 2024, and just a stone’s throw from the city’s historic center, everyone is invited to celebrate French and foreign maritime heritage at a popular, family-friendly, cultural and convivial event.
Around a hundred stands will occupy the quays of La Rochelle’s Vieux-Port. The 150,000 expected visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities, including :
- Dockside boat tours
- Sea outings
- Educational demonstrations of seamanship, caulking, sail tanning, fish smoking…
- Exhibitions and models
- Tastings of seafood and local produce from the Charente region
- Sailors’ songs
- Concerts
- A food court and numerous foodtrucks
Are you still wondering whether you should come to La Rochelle to enjoy the festive atmosphere? The event is open to all, with free admission for all four days!
Many ships expected
From the Marennaise lasse to the tall ship
Lasses marennaises, traditional riggings from the Gironde estuary, cutters auriques rhétais, sardiniers… The organizers of the festivities wanted to give pride of place to all the boats of the region , with the presence of many working boats. In particular, they want to celebrate the maritime trades of the Charente region, such as oyster and shellfish farming.
Other vessels, such as the Saint-Michel II, a replica of Jules Verne’s second sailing ship from Nantes, and the Mutin, a dinghy operated by the French Navy in Brest, will document other French regions.
In addition to workboats and sailboats, some forty classic yachts from La Rochelle and other Atlantic locations will be on display, along with a dozen tall ships of various nationalities. The four-masted Santa Maria Manuela, the three-masted Belem and Le Français, the Shtandard and the brig Morgenster, for example, will be part of the festivities.
A total of 150 boats will be taking part in the Fêtes maritimes de La Rochelle!
Converging all the way to the Old Port
Interested in taking part in the event, 25 Charente-based associations owning one or more workboats joined forces to form the Patrimoine Navigant en Charente-Maritime association. They all worked alongside the event organizers to set up a grand convergence of the various boats in the Old Port during the festivities.
So, 80 boats will join La Rochelle together, in a parade, from 5 Charente-Maritime ports:
- The port of La Flotte-en-Ré (Ile de Ré),
- The port of Château d’Oléron (Ile d’Oléron),
- Boyardville marina (Ile d’Oléron),
- Port du Plomb (Nieul-sur-Mer)
- Marennes marina (Marennes)
The boats are scheduled to gather in various ports in the days leading up to the event, on June 15 and 16, and then converge on La Rochelle. Arrival is scheduled for June 18, 19 and 20.
If you own a motorboat or sailboat in the Atlantic, moored for example at Port Médoc or Port Adhoc Soubise, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this spectacle at sea, and sail alongside them!
Visit the event from Port Adhoc Soubise or Port Médoc
Do you own a ship moored or stored ashore in one of the ports in the Port Adhoc network? We urge you to join the event by sea, with your own boat!
From Port Adhoc Soubise or Port Médoc our two marinas near La Rochelle, it’s easy to join in the festivities:
- The dry port of Soubise, in Charente-Maritime, is only 25 nautical miles away. After sailing down the Charente river, you’ll head north to the town of La Rochelle.
Fast-paced cruising that’s sure to please!
➡️ See also: Sailing in Charente-Maritime from Port Adhoc Soubise
- The marina of Port Médoc Le Verdon-sur-Mer is just over 50 miles away. From the mouth of the Gironde, you pass Royan and follow the Atlantic coast northwards. You’ll sail along the Ile d’Oléron to Chassiron, then aim for La Rochelle for the last few miles.
This is a slightly longer cruise, which you can do in one go or over a few days, with one or more stopovers!
➡️ Also read: Boating from Port Médoc : 10 destination ideas
Please note: The berths in La Rochelle’s Vieux-Port will not be accessible to visiting boaters for the duration of the Fêtes maritimes de La Rochelle. Sailors and their boats will be welcome in the city’s second marina, known as the Port des Minimes.
A sea bus or “Passeur” links the two ports every day of the year, in just three minutes. From your berth in Les Minimes, this is the easiest way to get to the event!
