Pardon National de la Batellerie

67th National Pardon of Inland Waterways — June 12 to 14, 2026

The National Pardon of Inland Waterways returns for its 67th edition from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. This essential event of French river heritage annually gathers boatmen, inland navigation enthusiasts, and visitors along the banks of the Seine, at the confluence of the Oise.

The 2026 theme: « From the River to the Ocean – Heading for Brittany »

This 67th edition honors Brittany, echoing Conflans' river identity and the link between river tradition and maritime culture. A Breton village will be set up in the park of Théméricourt castle with the association Gward An Aod, offering blacksmithing demonstrations, medieval combat, and historical cooking. Visitors can also discover the Curragh Sant Efflam, a traditional Celtic leather-hulled boat, and participate in rowing trips on the Seine.

Official Highlights

As every year, the Pardon is punctuated by emblematic ceremonies:

• Rekindling of the Flame of Remembrance under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Friday, June 12 at 6:30 PM, then transported by boat to Conflans
• Official flame arrival ceremony at the park of Théméricourt castle on Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 PM, followed by a procession to Le Pointil and the lighting of the basin of the Monument to the Dead of Inland Waterways
• Blessing of the boats and mass for inland waterway workers on Sunday, June 14 at Le Pointil (10:30 AM, accompanied by the gospel choir L'Esprit de la musique)
• Immersion of the Conflans wreath from the boat Le Sisyphe on Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 AM, in memory of lost boatmen

Activities and Pardon Village

Throughout the weekend, the banks of the Seine and the François-Mitterrand promenade host a village of river stakeholders (Quai de la République), boat parades, guided cruises departing from pier n°1, a local authors' book fair aboard the Story Boat, activities at the Blaise-Cendrars media library, and shows for all ages. An exhibition « Repères Remarquables » by the collective Dans le Sens de la Barge is also offered.

Concerts and Festive Evenings

The evenings of June 12 and 13 will be enlivened by concerts and musical entertainment, particularly in Place Fouillère with a program combining guest artists and DJ sets until midnight.

Youth Program

An educational program « From the River to the Ocean – Heading for Brittany » is offered to children: visit to the exhibition on the history of the « Indian boat » at the Orangerie, storytelling workshops at the Blaise-Cendrars media library, trip to the National Maritime Museum, and Breton-themed Olympiads.

Friday, June 12, 2026

• 6:30 PM — Rekindling of the Flame of Remembrance under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
• Evening — Concerts and musical entertainment in Place Fouillère (program combining guest artists and DJ set until midnight)

Saturday, June 13, 2026

• All day — Opening of the village of river stakeholders on Quai de la République
• All day — Breton village in the park of Théméricourt castle (blacksmithing, medieval combat, historical cooking with the Gward An Aod association)
• 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM — Rowing trips on the Curragh Sant Efflam (Celtic leather-hulled boat)
• Afternoon — River procession up the Seine, commented arrival of the flame boat
• 3:00 PM — Official flame arrival ceremony at the park of Théméricourt castle
• Followed by — Procession to Le Pointil and lighting of the basin of the Monument to the Dead of Inland Waterways
• Evening — Concerts in Place Fouillère

Sunday, June 14, 2026

• 10:00 AM — Immersion of the Conflans wreath from the boat Le Sisyphe in memory of lost boatmen
• 10:30 AM — Mass for inland waterway workers at Le Pointil, accompanied by the gospel choir L'Esprit de la musique
• Followed by — Traditional blessing of the boats on the Seine
• Afternoon — 45-minute guided cruises departing from pier n°1

All weekend

• Village of river stakeholders (Quai de la République)
• Breton village in the park of Théméricourt castle
• Local authors' book fair aboard the Story Boat
• Activities at the Blaise-Cendrars media library
• Exhibition « Repères Remarquables » by the collective Dans le Sens de la Barge
• Boat parades and nautical activities along the François-Mitterrand promenade
• Youth program « From the River to the Ocean – Heading for Brittany » (visits, workshops, Breton Olympiads)

• 67th edition of a unique river festival in France, created in 1960
• 2026 Theme: « From the River to the Ocean – Heading for Brittany » with a dedicated Breton village
• Celtic leather-hulled boat Curragh Sant Efflam — rowing trips open to the public
• Rekindling of the Flame of Remembrance at the Arc de Triomphe and river procession to Conflans
• River mass and blessing of the boats at Le Pointil
• Evening concerts in Place Fouillère on June 12 and 13
• Completely free access and free parking at the Fin-d'Oise park-and-ride

Practical Information

Access

By car: Conflans-Sainte-Honorine is accessible via the A15 motorway (exit 7 Conflans / Herblay) or the A13 then A14. Free parking near the quays, but it is recommended to prioritize public transport due to crowds.

By train: Conflans-Sainte-Honorine station (Transilien line J or L from Paris Saint-Lazare, about 30 minutes). The station is a 10-minute walk from the Seine quays and the heart of the Pardon.

By bus: Several lines of the bus network serve the town center of Conflans.

Opening Hours

The Pardon takes place from Friday evening to Sunday evening. Activities on the quays are generally accessible from 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Ceremonies (Flame rekindling, river mass, blessing) follow a precise schedule published each year on the town's website.

Prices

Access to the quays, activities, and most shows is free. Some commented cruises may require booking.

Contact

Mairie de Conflans-Sainte-Honorine

Phone: 01 34 90 88 88

Website: www.conflans-sainte-honorine.fr