The traditional Fête de la Mer returns to Arcachon on August 14 and 15. Giant picnic, blessing of the sea and traditional sailing festival… Here’s the program for the next edition!
Fêtes de la Mer: Arcachon in yellow and white
For over 150 years, on August 14 and 15, Arcachon has been celebrating the sea and its maritime traditions in a festive and convivial atmosphere. Thousands of people are expected to attend these two days of festivities, dressed in white with a yellow scarf, as tradition dictates. On the program: giant banquet on the seafront, solemn mass, nautical parade, sardinade, fireworks and much more! All to the rhythm of bandas and sea chanteys.
DAY 1
A giant picnic on the waterfront
The festivities kick off at 7:30 pm on the Arcachon waterfront, with a giant picnic: a 300-meter-long banquet, tables and benches with seating for 2,500 await guests near the Thiers pier. Don’t forget your picnic basket! As every year, musicians, brass bands and bandas wander between the tables to set the mood. It’s a great opportunity for locals and tourists alike, families and friends, to get together and celebrate.
A torchlight procession to celebrate light
In the evening, the Fête de la Mer extends as far as the Moulleau district, with a mass celebrated at 9 p.m. in the Notre-Dame-des-Passes church, followed by a Marian procession and a torchlight march at dusk.
DAY 2
Blessing of the boats and nautical parade
A solemn mass kicks off the August 15 event. After the religious ceremony, spectators can watch the traditional blessing of the boats. Trawlers, flower-bedecked pinnaces and other traditional rigs parade past Arcachon’s Thiers jetty.
The traditional August 15 regatta
The festivities continue in the afternoon with a friendly regatta open to traditional sailing boats from the Bassin d’Arcachon: sailing pinnaces, wolves, one-designs, sailing ferries and mixed canoes, visible from the beach to the left of the Jetée Thiers.
Pelote basque: high-level action on the Arcachon fronton
In the afternoon, the festivities will be in full swing on the Arcachon fronton, where the world’s best Grand Chistera Basque Pelota players will compete. Two Grand Chistera teams will meet on an 80-meter-long court. It’s going to be some sport!
Garage Sale
Around the Halle de l’Aiguillon, Arcachon’s fishermen’s quarter, a garage sale is organized all day long, from 6am to 6pm, with bargains to be had and light refreshments on site.
Festive sardinade
A not-to-be-missed event at the Fêtes de la Mer, the sardinade is a tradition handed down from father to son in fishing families, and is now organized by the Comité des fêtes de l’Aiguillon. From 7 p.m., locals and holidaymakers alike can feast on delicious grilled sardines in a festive atmosphere, with bandas, a dance and a DJ to liven up the evening.
Free concert and fireworks
The Fête de la Mer will continue in the evening with a free concert, at 9:30pm, under the bandstand on Place Thiers. The entertainment will be interrupted by a grand fireworks display, fired from the seafront, at 10.30pm.
photo@ Patrick SABATIER-VESCOVALI/Pixabay