In the heart of the picturesque town of Paimpol, nestling between the sea and the cliffs of Brittany, a not-to-be-missed cultural event takes place every two years: the Festival du Chant de Marin. A true ode to the sea and its history, this unique festival brings together sailors, musicians, artists and sea enthusiasts from all over the world.
From 4 to 6 August 2023, you can look forward to a festive and moving rendezvous celebrating the richness of maritime traditions and the songs that have marked the lives of sailors.
And on the evening of Thursday 3 August, come and watch the boats arrive in the harbour!
—
Despite the somewhat capricious summer weather at the start of the season, the Festival du Chant de Marin in Paimpol is not intimidated. The organisers are doing their utmost to light up the Paimpol sky with the warmth of the sun. A few clouds can’t dampen the festive spirit of this exceptional maritime event!
The sea, the music and the encounters await you, whatever the weather!
Each year, over a thousand volunteers (1800 in 2015) enthusiastically get involved in this maritime adventure, forming an essential pillar of Paimpol’s associative fabric. This remarkable mobilisation bears witness to the local attachment and family spirit that permeates the event. Each time the festivities take place in Paimpol harbour, no fewer than 150,000 festival-goers gather to enjoy the enchanting experience of this not-to-be-missed event.
What makes the Festival du Chant de Marin so special is its warm and friendly atmosphere. Over the course of a few days, the port of Paimpol becomes the stage for an inter-generational and international gathering, with concerts, demonstrations of traditional skills, exhibitions, lectures and tastings of local produce.
Music and song play a central role in the programme, echoing the harmonies of the sea through the cobbled streets of the town.
The port of Paimpol is the beating heart of the Festival du Chant de Marin. Throughout the festivities, the quayside is decked out with craft stalls, musical processions, magnificently restored traditional boats and crews who have come to share their passion for the sea and sailing.
You can stroll between the various stands where local craftsmen display their maritime creations, ranging from model boats to sailing accessories and Breton local produce.
“ITALIAN STOPOVERS”
“A fifteenth edition is a milestone to reach, especially when the journey is prolonged for reasons we all know. In 2023, the Festival du Chant de Marin confirms its “Italian stopovers”, from port to port, all the way to the shores of Sardinia. This year, as promised, the focus will be on Italian popular music, a “bal rital”, effervescent and colourful, frenetic and generous.
But there’s no denying that the festival has plenty to offer: musical discoveries will always be the hallmark of the Paimpol festival. Once again, the Festival du Chant de Marin will be dedicated to travel, to dreams and escapism, to encounters and a change of scenery. Rootedness, openness and, of course, good humour… will be the order of the day!
The programme includes world music, sea shanties, Breton music and festoù-noz… and the “street and quayside arts” that have become a hallmark of the Paimpol festival over the years. Not forgetting the exhibitions, events for young audiences, tastings of local produce… and the two hundred or so traditional boats that are both part of the festival and its magnificent backdrop.
The Festival du Chant de Marin, Brittany’s fourth-largest festival, will be held in Paimpol harbour on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August 2023.
We look forward to a memorable fifteenth edition !”
Pierre Morvan
President of the Festival du Chant de Marin