Escale à Sète
Gulf of Lion, France
ESCALE A SETE: the maritime world is heading for the Mediterranean
Created in 2010 by an association of seafarers with nearly 500 volunteers, it is at the helm of an unprecedented dynamic in the Mediterranean for maritime heritage:
- With its biennial festival, ESCALE A SETE, which is among the most important in Europe.
- By having accompanied other similar festivals in Italy, Spain or Occitan
- By launching the VIA MEDITERRANEA in March: a crossing of tall ships between 3 international festivals
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And from March 31 to April 6, 2026, the 9th edition of ESCALE ASETE will be exceptional:
- In the heart of the unique island between Gulf of Lion and Etang de Thau, along the canals of the Venice of Occitan, 7 days of festivities and highlights free of charge for the whole family during Easter week: parades, life-size sea battles, parades, sea songs, flavors of the sea
- Italy guest of honor, 400 years of the Navy
- 120 exceptional boats of yesterday and today's work, including the biggest sailing boats in the world,
- 50 international groups Sea music and songs
- Celebration of the culinary heritage of fishing and oyster farming,
- 12 theme villages welcoming delegations from all walks of life from Italy, Slovenia, Mauritania, Mauritania, Mauritania, Mauritania, Mauritania, India, India, Croatia, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Japan, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Corsica and from all the maritime facades of France
Escale à Sète 2026 promises an immersive experience between past and present, bringing together crews from all over the Mediterranean and beyond. Visitors will be able to admire the traditional sailing boats proudly displayed in the port, attend demonstrations of craftsmanship — such as blacksmithing or on-board cooking — and participate in activities for young and old. The festival's social networks, which are very active, bear witness to the excitement around boats, preparations and stops in Italy or Brittany before the event. Stopover in Sète is also a commitment to the transmission of traditions and to raise awareness about the preservation of maritime heritage. During the festival, Sète becomes the crossroads of maritime cultures, inviting everyone to embark on a festive and educational journey through traditions and the sea. 1000 free workshops to share the knowledge of seafarers with nearly 1/2 million visitors.
Stopover in Sète in figures
120+
Ships
Numerous workboats, tall ships and historic ships are expected for the 2026 edition
300,000
Visitors
In 2024, the event attracted more than 300,000 visitors in 6 days
50
Music groups
Some sixty music and sea song groups from ports around the world
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