Fête du Crabe d'Audresselles
Fifty years of maritime traditions, flavors, and conviviality on the Opal Coast
About Fête du Crabe
Audresselles, fishing village and crab capital
Audresselles is one of the last traditional fishing villages on the Opal Coast, located between Cap Gris-Nez and Ambleteuse in the Pas-de-Calais. The fishermen of Audresselles have been perpetuating artisanal fishing for generations, using flobarts, these flat-bottomed boats characteristic of the Boulogne coast, to haul their crab and lobster pots offshore. It is this living tradition that the Fête du Crabe celebrates every year.
Nearly fifty years of tradition
Created in 1976, the Fête du Crabe d'Audresselles is one of the oldest gastronomic festivals on the Opal Coast. In 2026, it will celebrate its 50 years of existence, half a century of traditions, marine flavors, music, and conviviality. This anniversary promises an exceptional edition, with an invitation for all visitors to come dressed in a marinière (striped sailor shirt) for the occasion.
A seafood feast
The heart of the festival is marine gastronomy. About fifty stands are set up in the village and offer:
- Crabs: the village's essential specialty, in all its forms
- Lobsters and crustaceans: grilled lobster, langoustines, shrimp
- Smoked fish: artisanal specialties from the coast
- Mussels and fries: the classic of the northern coast
- Paella: large giant paella prepared on-site
- Crêpes, vegetarian options, and drinks
Maritime heritage
The festival highlights the maritime heritage of Audresselles. The flobarts, these traditional boats listed in the inventory of intangible cultural heritage, are exhibited on the beach. Demonstrations of artisanal fishing and explanations of traditional techniques allow visitors to understand the history and know-how of the fishermen of Audresselles.
Concerts and entertainment
The Fête du Crabe is also a festive occasion with open-air concerts that liven up the village throughout the weekend. Local craft exhibitions complete the program, allowing visitors to discover the creators and artisans of the Terre des Deux Caps region.
Fête du Crabe — edition 2026
50th anniversary of the Audresselles Crab Festival! Special fiftieth-anniversary edition on July 4 and 5, 2026 (dates initially announced for June, postponed to early July by the organizer). All visitors are invited to come dressed in a marinière to celebrate half a century of maritime traditions, flavors, and conviviality on the Opal Coast.
Half a Century of Crab Festival
In 2026, the Audresselles Crab Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, an exceptional milestone for one of the oldest gastronomic and maritime festivals on the Opal Coast. The edition will take place on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2026 on Place du Détroit, in the heart of the fishing village.
Please note: the initially communicated dates (June 20 and 21, 2026) have been postponed by the organizer. The new official dates are July 4 and 5, 2026.
Everyone in a Marinière!
To celebrate this fiftieth anniversary, the Audresselles Boaters' Association, organizer of the event, invites all visitors to come dressed in a marinière (blue and white stripes). More than 10,000 visitors are expected over the two days to share this moment of conviviality.
Around Fifty Stands
Around fifty stands will be set up on Place du Détroit and in the village, offering:
- Crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and other local seafood
- Artisanal smoked fish from the Opal Coast
- Mussels and fries, giant paella, grilled lobster, crêpes
- Regional specialties: strawberries, honey, potjevlesch
- Local crafts, paintings, and photographs
- Stands from local associations
- Vegetarian/vegan options and refreshment stand
Musical Sardinade, New for 2026
A major new feature for the fiftieth-anniversary edition: a musical sardinade will be organized on Saturday evening from 7:15 PM, to be shared around grilled specialties.
Six Bands in Concert
The musical atmosphere will be provided by six bands who will perform throughout the weekend: rock, blues, Irish music, covers from the 1980s to 2000s, and folk are on the program.
Maritime Heritage
The festival highlights Audresselles' maritime heritage. Flobarts, these traditional flat-bottomed boats listed as intangible cultural heritage, are exhibited on the beach. Demonstrations of artisanal fishing and exhibitions of maritime objects complete the program.
Programme Fête du Crabe 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- Opening of seafood and local craft stands
- Exhibitions of flobarts and maritime objects
- Open-air concerts on Place du Détroit
- 7:15 PM — Musical Sardinade (new for 2026)
- Evening concerts
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- Seafood and regional specialty stands
- On-site catering: mussels and fries, paella, grilled lobster, crêpes
- Concerts throughout the day (rock, blues, Irish music, 80s-2000s, folk)
- Activities related to maritime heritage
Six musical groups will perform over the two days. Detailed concert schedules will be communicated later by the organizer.
Highlights Fête du Crabe 2026
- 50th anniversary of the Crab Festival — exceptional edition
- Everyone in a marinière: blue and white dress code for the occasion
- Musical Sardinade on Saturday evening from 7:15 PM — new for 2026
- Six bands in concert (rock, blues, Irish, 80s-2000s, folk)
- 50 stands of seafood and local crafts
- Exhibition of flobarts, traditional boats of maritime heritage
Prices Fête du Crabe 2026
Practical information — Fête du Crabe
Location
The Fête du Crabe takes place in the village of Audresselles (62164), an authentic fishing village located on the Opal Coast between Cap Gris-Nez and Ambleteuse. Stands and entertainment are spread throughout the village streets, the central square, and along the beach, offering an exceptional maritime setting.
Access
- By car: From Boulogne-sur-Mer (15 min), take the D940 towards Calais then follow signs for Audresselles. From Calais (30 min), D940 towards Boulogne then Audresselles. From Le Touquet (40 min), D940 via Boulogne. Signposted parking lots are available on the outskirts of the village. Please note: parking within the village is very limited on the day of the festival; arriving early or using remote parking is strongly recommended.
- By train: Marquise-Rinxent station (10 km, TER Boulogne-Calais line) or Boulogne-Ville station (15 km), then car, taxi, or shuttle. Inquire about any shuttles set up for the event.
- By bike: La Vélomaritime (EuroVelo 4) passes near Audresselles. Bicycle parking is available at the village entrance.
Dates and times
The Fête du Crabe takes place every year in June, over a weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Stands open in the morning, and entertainment continues into the evening on Saturday with open-air concerts.
Prices
Access to the village and entertainment: free. Tastings and purchases are paid for at the stands. Prices are moderate and accessible. Bring cash, as not all stands accept credit cards.
Gastronomy at the stands
About fifty stands offer a wide variety of seafood products:
- Fresh and cooked crabs (village specialty)
- Grilled lobster and langoustines
- Artisanal smoked fish
- Traditional mussels and fries
- Giant paella prepared on-site
- Crêpes, waffles, and vegetarian options
- Bar with local beers and drinks
Practical advice
- Bring sunscreen and a hat in case of good weather
- The village can be very crowded; arriving early is recommended
- Recycling bins are installed in the village; please help keep the site clean
Contact
Mairie d'Audresselles — Website: audresselles-mairie.com
Office de tourisme Terre des 2 Caps — terredes2capstourisme.fr
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Where does it take place — Fête du Crabe
Place du Détroit
Place du village, 62164 Audresselles