Festival Chants de Marins
The sea shanties component of the La Rochelle Maritime Festivals
About Chants de Marins
The Sea Shanty Festival is the musical and popular component of the La Rochelle Maritime Festivals, a large gathering of maritime heritage that brings together around the Old Port approximately 150 boats: tall ships, classic yachts, and heritage vessels. For four days, the quays resonate with the sound of sea shanties, choirs, and concerts by local or international artists, in a festive and friendly atmosphere open to all.
Organized by the association Les Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle, the event offers a free-access stage on the quays, where sea shanty groups, world music, and artists associated with the Francofolies take turns performing. Each edition of the event attracts nearly 100,000 visitors.
Sea shanties at the heart of the La Rochelle Maritime Festivals
The "Sea Shanty Festival" refers to the musical component of the La Rochelle Maritime Festivals, a large gathering of maritime heritage organized around the Old Port and the Bassin des Chalutiers. Over four days, the event brings together approximately 150 boats (tall ships, classic yachts, traditional boats) and enlivens the quays with concerts, choirs, and traditional songs.
A living musical tradition
Sea shanties, once used to set the rhythm for work on board, are today a living art carried by French and foreign groups. During the Maritime Festivals, these groups perform on the quays, at the foot of the heritage boats, creating a unique atmosphere that immerses the public in La Rochelle's maritime history.
A stage open to all
The musical program is freely accessible. Concerts blend traditional sea shanties, world music, and local or national artists, some presented in partnership with the Francofolies de La Rochelle. The stage operates during the day and early evening, with concerts extending late into the night during the four days of festivities.
An event integrated into maritime heritage
The sea shanties component is part of a broader program: guided tours of tall ships (Belem, Shtandart, Le Français, Morgenster, Santa Maria Manuela in 2026), demonstrations of seamanship, caulking, sail treatment, discovery of sea trades, tastings of local products and seafood, and a grand final banquet.
An associative organization
The event is organized by the Association Les Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle, based at the Capitainerie des Minimes. The first edition took place in June 2024, with nearly 100,000 visitors welcomed on the quays.
Chants de Marins — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival Chants de Marins will be held from June 20 to 23, 2026, as part of the Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle. For four days, the quays of the Vieux-Port will resonate with traditional sea shanties, choirs, world music, and musical entertainment, with free access, around approximately 150 maritime heritage boats.
2026 Edition: June 20 to 23 on the Vieux-Port
The 2026 edition of the Chants de Marins section is part of the second edition of the Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle, from Friday, June 20 to Monday, June 23, 2026. The event is preceded by an exceptional nautical parade on Wednesday, June 19 at 2:30 PM, marking the arrival of the five tall ships in the Bassin des Chalutiers.
A free-access music stage
For four days, the quays will host a free musical program mixing traditional sea shanties, choirs, world music, and local or national artists, some presented in partnership with the Francofolies de La Rochelle. Concerts take place during the day and early evening, extending late into the night on the Gabut stage.
Approximately 150 heritage boats
The festival is part of a large maritime gathering: five exceptional tall ships (Belem, Shtandart, Le Français, Morgenster, Santa Maria Manuela), about forty classic yachts, and more than 70 heritage boats. Visitors can freely explore the pontoons from 10 AM each day.
A grand banquet to conclude
The 2026 edition concludes on Sunday, June 23 at noon, Place de la Motte-Rouge, with the Banquet de la Mer (Fishing Port Festival), a convivial moment open to the public.
Detailed musical program
The detailed program of sea shanty groups and concerts will be progressively published on the official website of the Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle throughout spring 2026. To see the full program, visit fetesmaritimeslarochelle.fr.
Highlights Chants de Marins 2026
- Sea shanties section of the Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle 2026
- 4 days of free-access concerts and entertainment on the quays
- Approximately 150 maritime heritage boats gathered at the Vieux-Port
- Five exceptional tall ships: Belem, Shtandart, Le Français, Morgenster, Santa Maria Manuela
- Opening nautical parade on Wednesday, June 19 at 2:30 PM
- Banquet de la Mer on Sunday, June 23 at noon, Place de la Motte-Rouge
- Program in partnership with the Francofolies de La Rochelle
Prices Chants de Marins 2026
Practical information — Chants de Marins
Location
Bassin des Chalutiers, Vieux-Port and Eric Tabarly esplanade, right in the city center of La Rochelle (17000). The site covers approximately 13 hectares in the heart of the city.
Access
La Rochelle SNCF train station is a 10-minute walk from the Old Port. Site accessible on foot from the city center. Maritime shuttles and parking lots in the immediate vicinity.
Prices
Free and open access to the quays, concerts, and activities on the pontoons. Only visits aboard the five tall ships (Belem, Shtandart, Le Français, Morgenster, Santa Maria Manuela) are subject to a fee and require a ticket to be booked in advance on the official website.
Hours
Free access to pontoons and activities every day from 10 am. Concerts during the day and early evening, some extending late into the night.
Contact
Association Les Fêtes Maritimes de La Rochelle, Capitainerie des Minimes, Port de Plaisance de La Rochelle. Email : [email protected] · Phone : 05 46 44 41 20. Official website : fetesmaritimeslarochelle.fr.
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Where does it take place — Chants de Marins
Vieux-Port et Bassin des Chalutiers
Bassin des Chalutiers, Vieux-Port, 17000 La Rochelle, 17000 La Rochelle