Dieppe International Kite Festival

The Dieppe International Kite Festival: When the Sky Becomes a Giant Canvas

Since 1980, the Dieppe International Kite Festival has become the undisputed world reference for the art of kite flying. Founded by Max Gaillard, an aerology enthusiast and visionary, this festival has transformed the Norman seaside resort into the international kite capital, a title Dieppe has proudly held for over four decades.

An Exceptional Site Between Cliffs and Seafront

The festival unfolds on the eight hectares of seafront lawns, one of the largest seaside green spaces in Europe. Facing the Dieppe Castle Museum and the white chalk cliffs, kites draw a strikingly beautiful aerial ballet in the Norman sky. The steady winds of the English Channel offer ideal flying conditions, making this site an exceptional playground for kite flyers from around the world.

A Biennial Event of International Scale

Organized every two years in September, the festival hosts over 400 international kite flyers, including 200 official representatives from about forty nations. From China to Japan, from India to Colombia, from Indonesia to the United States, each delegation brings its traditions, techniques, and unique creations. Dieppe's sky thus becomes a crossroads of cultures, where Asian dragons mingle with giant octopuses, fantastical creatures, and astonishingly precise geometric figures.

A Rich and Varied Program

For nine days, the festival offers a rich program organized around five thematic villages: exhibition, children, history, creative, and aerial photography. Mornings are dedicated to free flights of giant kites, while afternoons feature choreographed demonstrations where professional kite flyers perform synchronized aerial ballets against a musical backdrop. The festival also includes a spectacular night flight, a festive closing parade, fabrication and piloting workshops for all ages, as well as daily circus shows and concerts.

The Art of Kite Flying in All Its Diversity

The festival celebrates kites in all their forms: traditional Japanese Edo kites, Indian fighting kites, two- and four-line stunt kites, giant inflatable kites that can reach several tens of meters, and contemporary artistic creations pushing the boundaries of imagination. Each edition features a creation contest on a given theme, stimulating participants' creativity and offering the public unprecedented aerial works of art.

A Popular and Unifying Event

Access to the festival is completely free, true to the spirit of openness and sharing that has driven the event since its origins. Families, enthusiasts, the curious, and photographers gather on the seafront in a friendly and festive atmosphere. The festival is also a tremendous economic driver for Dieppe and its region, generating considerable tourism revenue and contributing to Normandy's international renown.