A Week of Maritime Spectacle in the Gulf of Morbihan

Organized into flotillas, boats will navigate daily between the ports of the Gulf of Morbihan, offering a continuous maritime spectacle in one of France’s most beautiful nautical areas. Nineteen municipalities are involved in the event, including Vannes, Arzon, Auray, Île d’Arz, Île aux Moines, and Sarzeau, not to mention Houat and Hoëdic, which are integrated into the flotilla routes this year.

The organization is based on a division into 13 flotillas, grouping boats by type: sail-rowboats, skiffs, sinagos, sloops, classic yachts, old dinghies, hiking boats, pleasure craft from the 1960s-1970s, motorboats, and large professional vessels. Each flotilla has its own route, led by a captain, and evolves according to tides and local conditions. This format of collective navigation is at the heart of the event.

A Week Punctuated by Navigations and Stopovers

The program begins with an opening day on May 26, followed on Tuesday by the grand gathering of flotillas at Île d’Arz. From Wednesday to Friday, the flotillas will navigate to the various ports of the Gulf according to a specific itinerary. On Thursday, May 29, some of them will head for Houat and Hoëdic for a maritime salute to the archipelago. Saturday will mark one of the most anticipated moments: the Grand Parade. On this day, all the flotillas gather to parade at the entrance to the Gulf in a nautical ballet accessible from many observation points on land. The closing will take place on Sunday, June 1.

Among the emblematic boats present this year, several large units attract attention, such as the Hydrograaf, a Dutch steamer from 1910, the Pascual Flores, a century-old Spanish pailebot, and Le Français, a former Arctic fishing boat now used for cinema. The Pen Duick I, II, III, and V will navigate together in the classic yachts flotilla, recently listed as Historic Monuments. The Morgenster, the Phoenix, and the HOOP, an early 20th-century tug-icebreaker, are also among the ships to watch.

Onshore Activities in Each Partner Port

The celebration also takes place on the quays. Each partner municipality organizes its own animations, concerts, and activities related to the sea. The port of Vannes, the main anchor point of the event, will host a maritime village including a specialized bookstore, a catering area, an open-air photographic exhibition, workshops, meetings with authors, and an open-air shipyard. More than 180 concerts are scheduled during the week, in various registers ranging from traditional music to current sounds. Each evening, the port of Vannes will be illuminated to accompany the arrival of the tall ships.

The 2025 edition will also highlight an essential part of the regional heritage: the megaliths of Carnac and the shores of the Gulf, whose candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status is supported by the event. A thematic exhibition will be installed in the village of Vannes to introduce the public to these monuments closely linked to the maritime landscape.

An Event Rooted in its Territory

The event is part of a global approach to enhancing heritage and respecting the environment. Several measures are put in place to reduce the impact of the event: a soft mobility plan with bicycle parking and free shuttles, selective sorting, mooring regulation, a ban on drone flights, and visitor awareness. The entire system is developed in conjunction with local authorities, associated municipalities, and local stakeholders.

Since its creation in 2001, the event has established itself as a model of a maritime festival open to all audiences, sailors and visitors alike, with a balance between nautical traditions, cultural animations, and environmental concern. At sea and on land, the event remains a unique opportunity to observe, understand, and share the richness of European maritime heritage.

Before you go, remember to check the weather forecast and download the free mobile application.

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