Shellfish Festival
Gastronomic celebration of seafood in Saint-Martin-de-Ré
2026
About Shellfish Festival
Organized by the Cercle Nautique Martinais, the Fête du Coquillage is the final major celebration of the season in Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Every last Saturday of September, over 2,500 people gather at the harbor to enjoy oysters, mussels, cockles, variegated scallops, and clams. The program features tastings at long tables set up along the quays, musical street performances, a raffle, and an evening dance party.
Shellfish Festival — edition 2026
The 16th edition of the Fête du Coquillage takes place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Saint-Martin-de-Ré harbor, from noon to 11:00 PM. Enjoy oysters, mussels, cockles, and variegated scallops on the quayside, roaming performances by La Batala Batucada and a brass band, a raffle draw, and an evening with Chris DJ. Free admission.
2026 Edition
The 16th edition of the Fête du Coquillage will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Saint-Martin-de-Ré harbor, from noon to 11:00 PM. The Cercle Nautique Martinais (CNM) is organizing the event in partnership with the Saint-Martin town hall, with support this year from the Île de Ré community of municipalities.
What to expect
Around 80 volunteers will be manning the tasting stalls, serving oysters, shellfish (mussels, cockles, variegated scallops), and fries. The Comité des Œuvres Sociales de Saint-Martin, the Foyer du Bois-Plage, the Syndicat Ostréicole de l'île de Ré, and local donor merchants are all contributing to the festival, which draws over 2,500 people to the harbor every year.
Two groups will be roaming the streets of Saint-Martin: the Brazilian percussion ensemble La Batala Batucada and a brass band, whose name is yet to be announced. Michel Lardeux will be on the microphone to introduce the artists and host the raffle draw. In the evening, Chris DJ will take over.
Detailed schedule
Only the 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM timeframe has been published. The organizer has not yet released a detailed hourly program.
Highlights Shellfish Festival 2026
- Tasting of oysters, mussels, cockles, and variegated scallops on the harbor quays
- La Batala Batucada, Brazilian percussion roaming the streets
- Chris DJ in the evening
- Raffle draw hosted by Michel Lardeux
- Free admission, from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Programme Shellfish Festival 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026 · Saint-Martin-de-Ré harbor, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Cercle Nautique Martinais has not yet released a minute-by-minute schedule for this 16th edition. Here is what has been announced so far.
Ongoing, from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Tasting stalls — oysters, mussels, cockles, and variegated scallops, run by around 80 volunteers
- French fries
- Raffle — prizes donated by local merchants and partner businesses
Scheduled entertainment
- La Batala Batucada — Brazilian percussion, roaming the streets of Saint-Martin
- A brass band — also roaming; the organizer has not yet revealed the name
- Chris DJ — in the evening, for singing and dancing
- Michel Lardeux — master of ceremonies: introducing the artists and drawing the raffle
Organization
- Cercle Nautique Martinais (CNM), in partnership with the Saint-Martin-de-Ré town hall and supported by the Île de Ré community of municipalities
- With the participation of the Comité des Œuvres Sociales de Saint-Martin, the Foyer du Bois-Plage, the Syndicat Ostréicole de l'île de Ré, and local donor merchants
Free admission, pets allowed. Over 2,500 people are expected at the harbor.
Prices Shellfish Festival 2026
Practical information — Shellfish Festival
Practical information
Location
Port de Saint-Martin-de-Ré — Passage de l'Ilot du Port, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Hours
From 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Prices
Free admission. Tastings and raffle tickets are paid for on-site.
Access
The harbor is in the town center, accessible on foot from anywhere in Saint-Martin and via the island's bike paths. Expect heavy traffic in nearby parking lots.
Pets
Pets are welcome.
Contact
Cercle Nautique Martinais (CNM17) — 06 50 94 97 15 · [email protected] · www.cnm17.fr
A popular celebration at the harbor
The Fête du Coquillage marks the end of the summer season in Saint-Martin-de-Ré. It is organized by the Cercle Nautique Martinais in partnership with the town hall and numerous local groups—including the Comité des Œuvres Sociales de Saint-Martin, Foyer du Bois-Plage, the Syndicat Ostréicole de l'île de Ré, and local merchant sponsors—along with about eighty volunteers. It brings together more than 2,500 people at the port.
Seafood tastings
Stalls serve oysters, mussels, cockles, variegated scallops, and clams, along with fries. Guests can sit at long tables set up along the quays, overlooking the boats.
Music and raffle
Two bands roam the streets of Saint-Martin and the quays: the Brazilian percussion group La Batala Batucada, a festival staple, and a different brass band each year. The day concludes with a raffle draw followed by a dance at the harbor. Admission is free.
A consistent schedule
The festival takes place on the last Saturday of September. There was an exception in 2023, when it was moved to September 16th to coincide with the European Heritage Days, before returning to its usual date; the president of the Cercle Nautique Martinais explained at the time that the change was due to logistical conflicts.
Where does it take place — Shellfish Festival
Shellfish Festival in brief
Other festivals near Saint-Martin-de-Ré
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