Nestling in the heart of the Mediterranean, the town of Sète comes alive every two years with an exceptional event that celebrates its maritime heritage by bringing together an impressive fleet of historic and traditional sailing ships: l’Escale à Sète.

L’Escale docks at Sète

Known for its rich culture and heritage, Sète has become an international meeting place for sea lovers, families and tourists looking for a unique experience.

• The stopover in video

Launched in 2010, Escale à Sète is designed as a maritime heritage festival, rooted in the rich history of the city of Sète. Established under Louis XIV, this port city has always been at the crossroads of maritime cultures and traditions. The idea was to create an event that reflected this history, while at the same time promoting the preservation of naval traditions.

This biennial festival, anchored in Easter week, is much more than an event: it’s a veritable epic that has spanned the ages since the town was founded by the Chevalier de Clerville. The town, a vital crossroads between the Canal du Midi, the Canal du Rhône à Sète and the Golfe du Lion, is a showcase celebrating the union between sea and wind, past and present.

Over the years, Escale à Sète has grown in size and popularity, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. What began as a small local celebration has become the leading event dedicated to maritime heritage in the whole of the Mediterranean, thanks to the commitment of volunteers and the support of the community.

Escale à Sète is more than just a celebration, it’s also part of a conservation initiative. The event is a showcase for the trades and skills associated with the sea, underlining the importance of passing on these traditions to new generations.

Organisation and events

The event is orchestrated by a dedicated association, supported by a solid network of 400 enthusiastic volunteers. The organisation is based on a strict charter that ensures the quality and authenticity of the festivities. This meticulous organisation brings together a wide range of partners, from public institutions to private sponsors, all united to ensure the success of Escale à Sète.

The diversity of activities is the heartbeat of Escale à Sète, transforming the town into a living spectacle that honours the sea in all its forms. The activities on offer are aimed at everyone, young and old, the initiated and the simply curious, and cover a wide range of interests.

With concerts of sea chanteys, demonstrations of traditional crafts, children’s workshops and street shows, each edition of Escale à Sète offers a rich and varied programme. These events are designed to immerse visitors in the maritime world, highlighting the culture, history and traditions associated with the sea.

As well as providing entertainment, the Escale à Sète events have an educational objective. They aim to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving our maritime heritage, and to pass on knowledge about naval history, ancient navigation techniques and seafaring trades. It’s an invitation to discover and respect the marine environment and the people who work in it.

Boats make port

The main attraction of Escale à Sète is the large number of boats on display, from historic sailing ships to traditional craft, offering a real window onto the maritime world.

The event brings together an impressive fleet: replicas of old ships, school sailing boats, traditional fishing boats and modern units from the French Navy. Each ship has a story to tell, adding to the richness of the Escale à Sète experience.

The presence of these ships is a living tribute to the generations of sailors who have shaped maritime history. It’s a unique opportunity for visitors toexplore these ships, to understand how they were built and how they work, and to appreciate the human ingenuity and passion that surround the world of navigation.

L’Escale à Sète 2026

For the2026 edition, from 31 March to 6 April, l’Escale à Sète promises an even more immersive and rewarding experience, with new features and revisited classics.

The programme will feature new activities and several themed villages along2 kilometres of quayside and city streets, promising new discoveries for visitors. The emphasis will be on interactivity and public engagement.

Themed villages

Here are the themes of the Escale à Sète villages:

• 400 years of the French Navy
• Harbour master’s stage
• Marine market
• Environment
• Transmission
• Cultural, regions and countries :
  Spain, Catalonia, Croatia, Ireland, Landes, Languedoc, Provence, Corsica, Netherlands, India, Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Japan, Tunisia
• Solidarity
• A stopover for everyone
• Latin rigging
• Marine illustrations

Sète, docking and villages

The programme

Find out all about the events and highlights of the 2024 edition of Escale à Sète, with a specific theme and a variety of activities every day:

• Tuesday 31 March – ESCALE BUISSONNIÈRE
• Wednesday 1 April – HERITAGE ON ESCAPE
• Thursday 2 April – ESCALE BLEUE
• Friday 3 April – ESCALE BLEUE
• Saturday 4 April – ESCALE DES GENS DE MER
• Sunday 5 April – DELEGATIONS ON ESCALE
• Monday 6 April – ESCALE sets the sails

As the days go by, you can also discover the Tall Ships, the Latin Sails, the music, the delegations, the conferences, the workshops and the food stopover for gourmets/.

For more information on the themes of the 2026 edition, here is an extract from the press kit:

The 2026 poster

Travel link

• Maps of the Mediterranean
• Map of maritime traffic in the Mediterranean
• Travelling by ferry in the Mediterranean