Pardon des Mariniers

ℹ️ Event discontinued. The Pardon des Mariniers in Saint-Jean-de-Losne is no longer organized. This has been confirmed by the Rives de Saône tourist office. This page is maintained for historical reference; no future editions are planned.

A centuries-old river tradition

Located at the confluence of the Saône and the Burgundy and Rhône-Rhine canals, Saint-Jean-de-Losne is the largest inland pleasure port in France. Boatmen had been celebrating their pardon here since the 1960s, and the port of Saint-Jean-de-Losne revived the tradition starting in 1970. The Pardon des Mariniers paid tribute to the boating community and the rich river heritage of this historic town.

Blessing of the boats and mass on the Saône

On Sunday morning, a mass was celebrated on a barge moored on the Saône, followed by the blessing of the boats. A fluvial procession of decorated vessels would then sail up the Saône in a colorful and moving display. Nautical demonstrations—including lock maneuvers, regattas, and water-based activities—filled the day.

Nautical festivities and fireworks

The festival traditionally took place on the third weekend of June. The quays hosted nautical demonstrations, live music, and concerts, with the evening concluding in a fireworks display launched from the banks of the Saône. This popular event was long considered one of the major annual highlights of Saint-Jean-de-Losne.

To discover current events and activities related to boating and the river heritage of Saint-Jean-de-Losne, we recommend contacting the Rives de Saône tourist office.