Boulogne-sur-Mer Herring Festival
The King Herring of Boulogne-sur-Mer
2026
About Herring Festival
Herring Festival — edition 2026
The Herring Festival returns on November 21st and 22nd, 2026, at the Bassin Napoléon for a new edition organized by the Pêche Animation association, which has run the event since 1991. The program includes fresh herring and kippers grilled on giant barbecues, tastings with Good Opale chefs, sea shanties by Les Vareuses Porteloises, a parade of the Mémoires Boulonnaises giants, and tours of a docked trawler.
2026 Edition
The Herring Festival takes place on November 21st and 22nd, 2026, around the Bassin Napoléon (under the ULCO) in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Fresh or kippered herring is grilled on giant barbecues and served with bread, a drink, and boiled potatoes. It is also available smoked, salted, pickled, or canned, for on-site enjoyment or to take home.
Throughout the weekend, various local associations and organizations will host activities, including the Association Philatélique du Boulonnais, Lycée professionnel Cazin, CRPMEM, CME/Scopale (trawler tours), and Cité Mer. There will also be sales to benefit the Restos du cœur bébé (Rotary Boulogne Côte d'Opale) and the Téléthon. The event is supported by the City of Boulogne-sur-Mer, From Nord, and Mareyage Boulonnais, with herring gutting provided by the CFPMT.
Highlights Herring Festival 2026
- Fresh herring and kippers grilled on giant barbecues at Bassin Napoléon
- Tastings prepared by chefs from Good Opale (Académie Nationale de Cuisine)
- Sea shanties by Les Vareuses Porteloises, Saturday 3:00 PM–6:00 PM
- Parade of the giants Batisse, Zabelle, and Ti Pierre (Mémoires Boulonnaises)
- Tours of a trawler docked at the basin (CME/Scopale)
- Exhibition and personalized stamp set by the Association Philatélique du Boulonnais
Programme Herring Festival 2026
Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd, 2026
- 10:00 AM–7:00 PM — Fresh herring and kipper grilled on giant barbecues at Bassin Napoléon (under the ULCO), served with bread, a drink, and boiled potatoes
- Sale of smoked, salted, pickled, and canned herring, available on-site or to go
- Parade of the giants Batisse, Zabelle, and Ti Pierre · Mémoires Boulonnaises
- Photo exhibition on shipbuilding in Boulogne-sur-Mer and Étaples, featuring a special edition set of 4 personalized stamps · Association Philatélique du Boulonnais
- Entertainment by the Chevaliers du Comté dressed as corsairs and privateers
- Display of sea-themed jewelry and decorative items · Les Loisirs créatifs de Fanfan
- Introduction to nautical knots and heaving lines · Cité Mer
- Exhibition by illustrator and photographer Bruno Ghys
- Presentation of training programs for fishmongers, shellfish openers, and caterers · Lycée professionnel Cazin
- Sale of pies and coffee to benefit the Restos du cœur bébé charity · Rotary Boulogne Côte d'Opale
- Herring tastings prepared by chefs from the Académie Nationale de Cuisine · Good Opale
- Exhibition on the local seafood industry · collective “Boulogne-sur-mer, la mer en direct”
- Sale of crepes and sweets to benefit the Téléthon
- Quiz game on commercial fishing and shore fishing · CRPMEM
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Tours of a trawler docked at the basin · CME/Scopale
Saturday, November 21st, 2026
- 3:00 PM–6:00 PM — Sea shanties performed in traditional costumes · Les Vareuses Porteloises
Program published by the Boulonnais Tourist Office (source: boulonnaisautop.com). Admission is free; tastings are available for purchase. Herring gutting is performed by the CFPMT; the event is supported by the City of Boulogne-sur-Mer, From Nord, and Mareyage Boulonnais.
Prices Herring Festival 2026
Practical information — Herring Festival
Practical Information
Location and Access
The Herring Festival takes place around the Napoleon basin, in the heart of Boulogne-sur-Mer harbor.
By car: Boulogne-sur-Mer is accessible via the A16 motorway (exit 32). Parking is available near the port.
By train: Boulogne-Ville station is about a 15-minute walk from the Napoleon basin. TER connections from Lille, Calais, and Amiens.
Dates
The festival traditionally takes place on the last weekend of November, on Saturday and Sunday.
Food and Drink
Numerous stands offer herring in all its forms, as well as other seafood specialties. Hot drinks are also available.
Practical Tips
- Admission is free.
- Bring warm and waterproof clothing: the event takes place outdoors by the port in November.
- Arrive early to enjoy the best preparations, as stocks are limited.
- Sunday is generally less crowded than Saturday.
The Herring Festival: A Boulogne Maritime Tradition
Since 1991, the Pêche Animation association has organized the Herring Festival in Boulogne-sur-Mer, perpetuating a tradition that dates back to the time when herring was nicknamed the 'King Fish' and made the fortune of France's leading fishing port. This event pays tribute to the city's maritime history and the generations of fishermen who lived off this precious resource.
Herring in All Its Forms
The heart of the festival is, of course, the herring tasting in all its variations. Professionals from the fishing industry and chefs from the local Culinary Academy offer:
- Smoked Herring (Kipper): Prepared traditionally in on-site smokehouses.
- Grilled Herring: Cooked over an open fire using ancestral methods.
- Marinated Herring: With onions, herbs, or vinegar.
- Fish Soup: Made with herring and local fish.
A Living Culinary Heritage
The festival is an opportunity to (re)discover this omega-3 rich fish, long considered a daily staple and now appreciated by gourmets. Culinary demonstrations allow visitors to learn the techniques of preparing and smoking herring.
Entertainment and Traditions
Around the Napoleon basin, the atmosphere is festive. The Vareuses Porteloises and other sea shanty groups entertain the day with their maritime melodies. Traditional floats parade, associations dedicated to regional culture and sailing traditions present their activities, and local artisans exhibit their creations.
A Moment of Sharing
The Herring Festival is a popular and friendly event that brings together the people of Boulogne and visitors around a living maritime tradition. It is a moment of local pride where the city celebrates its port identity and culinary heritage, in a warm and authentic atmosphere.
Where does it take place — Herring Festival
Herring Festival in brief
History of Herring Festival
Edition 2025 Nov 2025Other festivals near Boulogne-sur-Mer
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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