Débord de Loire
Nautical and artistic event of the Loire estuary
About Débord de Loire
Created in 2016 by the Association culturelle de l'été (ACE), Débord de Loire is the major nautical and artistic event of the Loire estuary. A large-scale triennial event, this festival unfolds over a week in 16 towns along the estuary, from Mauves-sur-Loire to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, via Nantes. At the heart of the program, a spectacular nautical parade brings together up to 200 boats around exceptional tall ships like the Belem, a three-master built in Nantes in 1896. The program combines nautical parades, dancing on the quays, bike parades, street performances, boat tours, heritage cruises, exhibitions, and discovery of the river and maritime heritage. Mostly free and open to all, Débord de Loire transforms the quays and riverbanks into a huge popular festival celebrating the link between Nantes, the Loire, and the ocean, attracting over 200,000 spectators at each edition.
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Débord de Loire: The Great Nautical and Artistic Festival of the Estuary
Since 2016, Débord de Loire has established itself as the major nautical and artistic event of the Loire estuary. Born for the 120th anniversary of the Belem, this mythical three-master built in Nantes in 1896, and following the major citizen debate "Nantes, the Loire and us" initiated by Nantes Métropole, this triennial event celebrates the river in all its forms: nautical, artistic, heritage, and festive.
A Spectacular Nautical Parade
The highlight of each edition is the grand nautical parade, which features up to 200 boats sailing up the Loire from Saint-Nazaire to Nantes. Alongside the Belem, the event's emblematic ship, exceptional sailing ships have accompanied the flotilla over the editions: the Hermione in 2019, the Français and the Oosterschelde in 2023, the Étoile du Roy, the Hydrograaf, and the Recouvrance in 2025. This magnificent maritime spectacle, visible from the quays and banks of the 16 municipalities crossed, attracts tens of thousands of spectators gathered along the river.
An Artistic Program Rooted in Dance and Celebration
Beyond the nautical dimension, Débord de Loire offers a rich and inclusive artistic program, with a central focus on dance. Participatory balls, introductions to waacking, west coast swing, Brazilian forró, tango, hip-hop, rock swing, and salsa animate the quays of Nantes and the festive villages set up along the Loire. Fanfares, street performances, concerts, and dance companies transform the riverbanks into a huge, joyful, and popular guinguette.
Heritage, Cruises, and River Discovery
Débord de Loire is also a fantastic vehicle for discovering river and maritime heritage. Tours of historic boats are organized throughout the week, allowing the public to board magnificent sailing ships and traditional vessels. Guided cruises on the Loire offer a unique perspective on the estuary, its industrial and port history, its biodiversity, and its landscapes. Exhibitions, guided tours, round tables, and meetings complete the program, exploring the history of the river, maritime routes, and the challenges of ecological transition.
16 Towns, One Estuary
The originality of Débord de Loire lies in its territorial scale. The event is not limited to Nantes: it extends to 16 municipalities in the estuary, from Mauves-sur-Loire to Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, including Trentemoult, Le Pellerin, Paimbœuf, Donges, and Saint-Nazaire. Each riverside town offers its own animations, transforming the entire estuary into a territory of celebration and culture for a week.
Débord de Loire — edition 2025
The 4th edition of Débord de Loire will take place from June 12 to 18, 2025, on the theme of maritime routes. The grand nautical parade on Saturday, June 14, will bring together up to 200 boats around the Belem, the Étoile du Roy, the Hydrograaf, and the Recouvrance. On the program: nautical parades, dancing on the quays with balls and workshops, a bike parade, street performances, boat tours, cruises, and heritage discovery in 16 estuary towns.
Débord de Loire 2025 — 4th Edition: Maritime Routes
For its 4th edition, Débord de Loire takes over the estuary from June 12 to 18, 2025, with an ambitious theme: maritime routes. The event unfolds in 16 towns, from Saint-Brévin-les-Pins to Mauves-sur-Loire, including Nantes, for a week of nautical and artistic celebration.
The Grand Nautical Parade
The highlight of this edition is the grand nautical parade on Saturday, June 14. Up to 200 boats will sail up the Loire from Saint-Nazaire to Nantes, led by four exceptional vessels:
- The Belem, a three-master built in Nantes in 1896, which carried the Olympic flame from Greece to Marseille in 2024
- The Étoile du Roy, a magnificent three-master based in Saint-Malo, a replica of an 18th-century English frigate
- The Hydrograaf, a former Dutch steamship from 1910
- The Recouvrance, a replica of an 1817 Brest military schooner
Dance at the Heart of the Celebration
In Nantes, from June 13 to 15, the heart of the festivities beats to the rhythm of dance. At the Débord de Loire village set up on the Quai de la Fosse, participatory balls, workshops, and performances follow one another: waacking, west coast swing, Brazilian forró, tango kizomba, hip-hop funk, rock swing, and salsa. The fanfare Big Joanna takes the audience to New Orleans with its Bal Saint-Louis on Saturday evening. The Italian company Alberi Sonori leads tarantella dancing. The company NGC25 presents Bal à Boby, a choreographic frenzy inspired by Boby Lapointe.
Heritage and Discovery
Boat tours are organized throughout the week, with reservations recommended. Guided cruises allow for the discovery of the estuary. Exhibitions, round tables, and meetings explore the history of the river, maritime routes, and the challenges of decarbonizing maritime transport.
Programme Débord de Loire 2025
Débord de Loire 2025 Program
Parade and Nautical Activities
- Saturday, June 14: Grand nautical parade from Saint-Nazaire to Nantes — 200 boats around the Belem, Étoile du Roy, Hydrograaf, and Recouvrance
- June 12-18: Boat tours by reservation (3-ship pass: €20)
- Guided Cruises on the Loire (from €14)
Dance and Shows in Nantes (June 13-15)
- Saturday, June 14, 9 PM: Bal Saint-Louis with the Big Joanna fanfare — Quai de la Fosse
- Sunday, June 15, 6:30 PM: Tarantella Ball with Alberi Sonori — Quai de la Fosse
- Sunday, June 15: Bal à Boby by the NGC25 company
- All Weekend: Workshops in waacking, west coast swing, forró, tango, hip-hop, rock swing, salsa
Heritage and Discovery
- Exhibitions on the history of the river and maritime routes
- Round tables on decarbonizing maritime transport
- Guided heritage tours in the estuary towns
Bike Parade
- Festive bike ride along the Loire
Highlights Débord de Loire 2025
To Remember for 2025
- Dates: June 12-18, 2025
- 4th Edition on the theme of maritime routes
- Grand Nautical Parade on Saturday, June 14: 200 boats
- Featured Ships: Belem, Étoile du Roy, Hydrograaf, Recouvrance
- Dance on the Quays: balls, workshops, fanfares, and shows
- 16 Towns in the estuary mobilized
- Free Access to the vast majority of activities
Prices Débord de Loire 2025
Practical information — Débord de Loire
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By train: Nantes station is served by TGV from Paris-Montparnasse (approx. 2h15), Lyon, Lille, and many other French cities. The Quai de la Fosse, the heart of the festivities in Nantes, is within walking distance of the station (approx. 15 minutes).
By tram: Line 1, "Médiathèque" or "Chantiers Navals" stop. The TAN network serves all viewpoints along the Loire in Nantes.
By bike: Bicloo stations are available near the Quai de la Fosse. A bike parade is organized during the event.
By car: From the Nantes ring road, follow signs for "Centre-ville / Quai de la Fosse". Park-and-ride facilities (P+R) connected to the tram are recommended due to high attendance.
By Navibus: The Navibus Loire river shuttles connect Nantes city center from Trentemoult and the ferry terminal.
Main Venues in Nantes
Débord de Loire Village: Quai de la Fosse, in front of the Maillé-Brézé — central venue with stage, dance workshops, balls, and food stalls.
Information Point: Quai de la Fosse, next to the Anne-de-Bretagne bridge — information, program, and ticketing for boat tours.
Prices
Access to the vast majority of activities is free: nautical parades, street performances, balls, concerts, and the bike parade. Boat tours and Loire cruises are subject to a fee and require booking. 3-ship visit pass: €20 (full price), €14 (reduced price). Guided cruises from €14.
Accessibility
The quays of Nantes are largely accessible to people with reduced mobility. A specific reception service is in place. Detailed information on the official website.
Practical Tips
- Book your boat tours and cruises in advance on the Voyage à Nantes website.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking along the quays.
- Prioritize public transport or cycling: traffic is disrupted along the Loire.
- Consult the detailed program for each estuary town on deborddeloire.fr.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Débord de Loire
Quais de Nantes et estuaire de la Loire
Quai de la Fosse, 44000 Nantes