Joutes Nautiques de Brantôme

More than 40 years of nautical tradition

The Joutes Nautiques de Brantôme were born over forty years ago on the Dronne, the river that winds around the famous "Venice of Périgord". Every Friday evening in summer, the teams from the Vivaldi and Marco Polo boats compete in a nautical jousting spectacle in front of the Brantôme Abbey, one of the most beautiful sites in Périgord Vert.

The principle of jousting

Each team is composed of five to seven rowers and a helmsman. The objective is simple but spectacular: to knock the members of the opposing team into the water using padded poles, in a good-natured contest that elicits laughter and cheers from the crowd gathered on the banks.

A free and family-friendly spectacle

The jousts begin at 9 PM every Friday evening in summer and are entirely free. The exceptional setting of the illuminated abbey in the background adds to the magic of the show, making the Joutes Nautiques one of the most popular events of the Brantôme summer.