Fête du Crabe d'Audresselles
Fifty years of maritime traditions, flavors, and conviviality on the Opal Coast
About Fête du Crabe
The Fête du Crabe d'Audresselles is a gastronomic and maritime festival organized every year in June in the fishing village of Audresselles, on the Opal Coast. Created in 1976, this popular festival celebrates crab and seafood through about fifty stands offering crabs, lobsters, crustaceans, smoked fish, mussels and fries, and paella. The event is complemented by open-air concerts, local craft exhibitions, and the showcasing of maritime heritage with flobarts, traditional boats of the coast.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Fête du Crabe at the best price.
Sponsored link
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 Fête du Crabe d'Audresselles! Special edition for the 50th anniversary with all visitors invited to come dressed in a marinière. Seafood stands, concerts, and maritime entertainment.
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
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Fête du Crabe at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Fête du Crabe
Village d'Audresselles
Place du village, 62164 Audresselles