Fête d'Herblay

The Fête d'Herblay, a town that celebrates its riverbanks

The Fête d'Herblay is the annual festive gathering for the inhabitants of Herblay-sur-Seine, a town on the banks of the Seine in Val-d'Oise. Organized by the municipality and local associations, this popular celebration draws its uniqueness from the special relationship the town has with the river and from festive traditions deeply rooted in Herblay's culture.

Herblay, officially renamed Herblay-sur-Seine in 2019, is a town of approximately 28,000 inhabitants whose very name underscores its attachment to the Seine. The town extends over the limestone heights overlooking the Seine at the confluence with the Oise, offering exceptional panoramas of the river valley. Its Saint-Martin church, perched on the promontory above the river, is one of the town's symbols.

National Day: Lanterns, Procession, and Fireworks

The National Day on July 13th in Herblay-sur-Seine is one of the most anticipated and original events in Val-d'Oise. The evening begins at 9:30 PM with a moving ceremony: members of the municipal council distribute tricolor lanterns in the colors of France to the children present. These illuminated lanterns then form a procession of light that winds through the streets of the town center to the quays of the Seine in a magical and republican atmosphere.

At precisely 11:00 PM, the pyrotechnic and musical show is fired from the south bank of the Seine, visible from the Herblay quays and from the church terrace. This firework display accompanied by music brings together several thousand spectators each year in a festive and emotional atmosphere. The sight of the fireworks reflecting on the waters of the Seine, with the Herblay hill as a backdrop, creates a tableau of striking beauty.

After the fireworks, an open-air dance party at the Mairie park, hosted by a DJ, extends the festivities into the heart of the night. This Herblay tradition on July 13th is one of the most vibrant in Val-d'Oise and attracts an ever-larger audience each year.

Fête de la Musique by the Seine

The Fête de la Musique on June 21st is celebrated in Herblay with a diverse musical program that resonates in the streets and squares of the town. Music fills the town center and the quays of the Seine for a festive and free evening that brings together residents and visitors.

The musical genres represented reflect the diversity of the Herblay population: electronic music, pop-rock, funk, hip-hop, flamenco, gypsy guitars, and French chansons follow one another on the various improvised stages. Bars, restaurants, and shops in the town center participate in the Fête de la Musique by animating their terraces with local artists, creating a festive atmosphere that extends throughout the town center.

The Village d'Antan: A Journey to the Past

One of the most original attractions of the Herblay festive program is the Village d'Antan. This annual event recreates the atmosphere of an old Île-de-France village, with artisans in period costumes demonstrating ancient trades: blacksmith, cooper, weaver, potter, lacemaker... Visitors are invited to observe these ancestral skills and participate in practical workshops.

Musical and folk entertainment, demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts, and stands offering old-fashioned gastronomy complete this journey through time. The Village d'Antan is particularly popular with families with children, who discover lost techniques and ways of life in a fun atmosphere.

Concerts and Summer Entertainment

Throughout the summer, Herblay-sur-Seine offers a program of summer entertainment that takes over the town's public spaces. Open-air concerts, film screenings, sports tournaments, and children's activities enliven the town's parks and squares. The Fête du Jeu (Game Festival), organized by the municipality, is an opportunity to discover old and new board games in a friendly and family atmosphere.

The Bords de Seine (Banks of the Seine), a developed promenade along the river, is particularly lively during the summer. Entertainment, restaurants, and cafes are set up to welcome strollers and families in a pleasant natural setting.