La Grande Bordée

La Grande Bordée: The Festival for Seafarers

Born in the early 2000s on the initiative of the Commune Libre de la Chaume, La Grande Bordée perpetuates the age-old tradition of the Fête de la Mer that once animated Les Sables-d'Olonne every August 15th. On this occasion, the entire Sables fleet paraded in the channel, adorned with banners and colorful flags, while the town paid tribute to its sailors lost at sea.

A Major Maritime Gathering

Every two years, the Place du Vendée Globe and the quays of La Chaume are transformed into a vast maritime village where over 80 old rigs, open to public visits, are moored in the port. Artisans and enthusiasts share their know-how through demonstrations of traditional maritime trades: rope making, sail making, shipbuilding. The maritime art market brings together about fifty exhibitors offering paintings, sculptures, and objects related to the marine world.

Music from the Sea and Living Traditions

Music is at the heart of La Grande Bordée. On several stages spread between the Tour d'Arundel, the Quais de la Chaume, and Port Olona, sea shanty groups, Celtic pipe bands, folk ensembles, and renowned artists perform. The Kraken evenings, which have become emblematic, host headliners on the Place du Vendée Globe in front of thousands of spectators.

Heritage and Transmission

La Grande Bordée is more than just a festival: it is an act of transmission. The open-air mass at the Prieuré Saint-Nicolas, the parade in traditional Chaume costumes, and the blessing of the sea recall the city's deeply maritime identity. With its 200 traditional costumes worn during the procession and activities for young and old, the event weaves a living link between generations and Vendée's maritime heritage.