Fête de la Sardine
You are viewing a past edition (2025)
This event has already taken place.
Edition 2025 — Fête de la Sardine
Fête de la Sardine 2025 on the port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Giant sardine grills, musical entertainment, fishing demonstrations, visit to the Conserverie Gendreau, local producers' market, and workshops for children. Free entry, sardine grills from 12 pm.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Fête de la Sardine at the best price.
Sponsored link
Fête de la Sardine 2025 - Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie hosted its grand Fête de la Sardine on the quays of the fishing port. The town, recognized as a "Remarkable Site of Taste" for its sardine heritage, celebrated fresh sardines in all their splendor, bringing together locals and vacationers in a festive and warm atmosphere.
From mid-morning, the monumental grills were lit on the quays, and the aroma of grilled sardines filled the port. The giant sardine grills began at 12 pm, offering visitors fresh sardines from the port, flame-grilled and served with fresh bread and Vendée white butter. Fishermen from the port shared their preparation secrets and explained sardine fishing techniques in the Atlantic.
The Conserverie Gendreau, the last artisanal cannery in Vendée, organized guided tours of its workshops, allowing visitors to discover the hand-packing of sardines in olive oil, a know-how classified as national gastronomic heritage. The local producers' market brought together winemakers (Fiefs Vendéens), oyster farmers, and food artisans from the region for a complete panorama of the Vendée terroir.
Musical entertainment, street performances, and creative workshops for children punctuated the day, which concluded in the evening with a free concert on the port.
Programme
Sunday, July 27, 2025
- 10:00 AM: Opening - local producers' and artisans' market
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Guided tours of the Conserverie Gendreau (by reservation)
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Musical entertainment on the port
- 10:30 AM: Creative workshops for children: sailor's knots, maritime painting
- 11:00 AM: Demonstrations of sardine fishing techniques by port fishermen
- 12:00 PM: Start of the giant sardine grills - fresh sardines flame-grilled
- 2:00 PM: Competition for the best sardine recipe by local chefs
- 3:00 PM: Tasting of canned sardines from Conserverie Gendreau
- 4:00 PM: Musical entertainment and popular dance
- 8:00 PM: Free open-air concert on the port
- 11:00 PM: End of the festival
Highlights
- Giant sardine grills: fresh sardines flame-grilled on the port quays
- Guided tour of Conserverie Gendreau, the last artisanal cannery in Vendée
- Demonstrations by port fishermen on sardine fishing techniques
- Local producers' market: wines, oysters, Vendée specialties
- Creative workshops for children with a maritime theme
- Musical entertainment and free concert in the evening
- Completely free admission and entertainment
Prices
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Fête de la Sardine at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Fête de la Sardine
Port de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Port de pêche, quai de la République, 85800 Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie