From March 31 to April 6, 2026, Escale à Sète returns to the port of Sète for a week dedicated to Mediterranean maritime traditions. The event brings together more than 120 boats, including tall ships, crews from all over the world, and a festive program open to all on the city’s quayside.
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A major maritime event in Sète

For 7 days, Escale à Sète transforms the quayside into a vast space for discovery and celebration. The public can stroll along the boats, meet the sailors, explore the various entertainment areas and enjoy an event that celebrates maritime heritage, living traditions and the culture of seafarers. With more than 2 km of quayside, the event brings Sète to life with stopovers, demonstrations and shared highlights.

A 2026 edition between Italy, the Mediterranean and guest delegations

Italy in the spotlight

The 2026 edition puts Italy at the forefront, with a dedicated village designed as an invitation to travel to the Italian shores of the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and Lake Maggiore. This honor brings an even more Mediterranean dimension to the event, and reinforces its openness to the basin’s maritime cultures.

Guests from all walks of life

Escale à Sète also welcomes delegations from Spain, Slovenia, Romania, Mauritania, Japan and Corsica. The French Navy is also taking part in this year’s event as part of its 400th anniversary celebrations, adding a special resonance to the 2026 program.

Over 120 boats and tall ships to discover

One of the great attractions of Escale à Sète is the presence of over 120 boats moored for the duration of the festival. The public can discover heritage ships, workboats of yesterday and today, and several iconic tall ships. Among the ships announced are the Belem, Vera Cruz, Florette, Phoenix, El Galéon, Pascual Flores, Nao Victoria and La Grâce. It’s a rare opportunity to admire these boats up close and personal, and to talk to the people who bring them to life.

A festive program of heritage, music and know-how

Beyond the ships, Escale à Sète offers a rich and convivial program. Maritime songs, music, parades, parades, jousts, nautical shows, exhibitions, know-how demonstrations, conferences, maritime games and workshops punctuate the week. The event is also organized around 12 themed villages, focusing on transmission, culture, the environment, solidarity and seafaring professions. Maritime gastronomy also finds its place here with Escale Assiette, featuring sea and pond recipes.

Practical information for visitors

The festival is free and open to all. Only tours of the largest sailing ships are available on a ticket basis. The announced times for these tours are Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 2 pm to 6 pm, Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5, 2026, from 9:30 am to 6 pm, and Monday, April 6, 2026, from 9:30 am to 2 pm, with the last lift 30 minutes before closing time. A reduced rate is also available for visitors arriving by train or LiO bus.

https://www.tourisme-sete.com/escale-a-sete.html