Concarneau Book & Sea Festival

The unmissable event for maritime literature

Created in 1985, the Concarneau Book & Sea Festival is the oldest and most important maritime literature festival in France. Every autumn, the port town of Finistère hosts dozens of authors, illustrators, photographers, and publishers specializing in the marine world under a marquee on Quai Carnot. In 2025, the festival celebrated its 40th edition, confirming its status as a benchmark in the world of maritime publishing.

Prestigious literary awards

Each year, the festival awards several literary prizes that are authoritative in the maritime field: the Gens de Mer prize, the Marine et Océans prize, and other distinctions recognizing the best works of the year. These awards have become benchmarks for publishers and authors, contributing to the festival's renown far beyond Brittany.

A rich and accessible program

For three days, the festival offers a dense program: meetings with authors, book signing sessions, thematic conferences, round tables, screenings of maritime documentaries, and exhibitions. Workshops for young audiences allow children to discover maritime literature in a fun way. Admission is free, demonstrating the organizers' desire to make maritime culture accessible to all.

Concarneau, a City of Art and History by the Ocean

The choice of Concarneau as the host city is no coincidence. This historic fishing port in Finistère, with its fortified Ville Close and its Fishing Museum, offers an ideal setting for a festival dedicated to the sea. Quai Carnot, facing the port, hosts the festival's marquee in an authentic Breton maritime town atmosphere.