Fête de la Mer du Crotoy

The great celebration of the sailors of Le Crotoy

Every year in August, the small town of Le Crotoy, a gem on the north bank of the Baie de Somme, celebrates its maritime roots during its traditional Fête de la Mer. Organized by the Association des Marins et Anciens Marins (AMAM), this festival is much more than just a festive event: it is a moment of collective memory and pride that connects generations around the maritime history of this port where fishing boats once rubbed shoulders with merchant ships.

Procession and blessing at sea

On Sunday morning, a solemn mass is celebrated at the Saint-Pierre church, accompanied by the orchestra Les Amis Réunis. Then, an impressive procession in traditional costumes sets off through the streets of Le Crotoy and along the port. Participants wear the clothes of sailors from yesteryear, with yellow oilskins, jackets, and Picardy caps, offering a colorful and moving spectacle.

Around 1:30 PM, the fishing boats, decorated with flags, set sail for the blessing at sea. The priest blesses each boat while floral tributes are laid on the waves in homage to the lost sailors. This moment of contemplation facing the vastness of the English Channel is the emotional highlight of the festival.

Festivities and fireworks

The Fête de la Mer is also a great moment of popular conviviality. On Saturday, musical entertainment and food stalls take over the Place Jeanne d'Arc, the heart of the seaside resort. On Sunday evening, a giant blind test and a concert liven up the evening, culminating in spectacular fireworks fired at 11 PM from the locks, illuminating the bay in a grand finale.

Le Crotoy, between sea and memory

Le Crotoy holds a special place in the history of the Baie de Somme. An active fishing port for centuries, the town saw Joan of Arc pass through in 1430 and inspired impressionist painters like Toulouse-Lautrec and Jules Breton. The Fête de la Mer perpetuates this unbreakable link between the town and the ocean, reminding us that behind the elegant seaside resort, the heart of a fishing village still beats.