Festival
Festival des Vieux Gréements
Paimpol · Côtes-d’Armor
The Festival des Vieux Gréements in Paimpol: maritime heritage, traditional sailing ships, sea shanties, music and harbour festivities. The 2027 dates have not yet been announced.
- Suggested time
- Half a day to 3 days
- Type of place
- Maritime and sea shanty festival
- Atmosphere
- Festive, cultural and immersive, with an identity strongly linked to the place and the line-up
- Getting there
- The port of Paimpol; TER train station nearby; traffic and parking heavily changed during the event.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 7/10
- As a couple
- 8/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 2/10
- Reduced mobility
- 8/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The Festival des Vieux Gréements celebrates traditional sailing, heritage boats and the maritime imagination in Paimpol, closely tied to the town’s identity as a port. The quays fill with ships, concerts, sea shanty groups, activities and encounters; the main stage and the Michel Tonnerre stage anchor the music programme. Dates, prices, programme, access and rules change every year. The 2026 edition took place from 14 to 16 August 2026.
What you will see
- Three days on the port of Paimpol
- Traditional sailing ships and nautical heritage
- Two big music stages
- Sea shanties
- A harbour festival atmosphere
- An identity strongly linked to Paimpol.
Show 2 more pointsHide
- A line-up centred on maritime heritage, traditional sailing ships, sea shanties, music and harbour festivities.
- Big crowds possible: plan transport, accommodation and bookings ahead.
Practical information
- Address
- The port and quays of Paimpol
- Public transport
- The port of Paimpol; TER train station nearby; traffic and parking heavily changed during the event
- Pets
- Dogs possible in some outdoor areas on a lead, but not recommended in big crowds
- Accessibility
- The quays are fairly easy to get around, but crowds are large; boarding the boats is often not adapted
- Best time
- Arrive early for the big moments and leave time for security checks, shuttles and moving between stages
Tips on the spot
- The 2026 edition took place from 14 to 16 August 2026; the 2027 dates have not yet been announced.
- Tickets: Tickets by day or pass; activities, ships and concerts according to the programme.
- Check the official website just before you travel: times, bag checks, banned items and traffic plans can change.
- For a big festival, book accommodation and transport well in advance.
- Bring comfortable shoes, clothes for the weather, ear protection for loud concerts and a power bank.
Show 2 more tipsHide
- If a cashless system is used, create and top up your account before you arrive.
- With children or teenagers, check the age and supervision rules and the recommended ear protection.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Festival des Vieux Gréements?
The 2026 edition took place on 14, 15 and 16 August 2026. The 2027 dates have not yet been announced.
Where does the Festival des Vieux Gréements take place?
The port and quays of Paimpol.
Is the festival free?
Tickets by day or pass; activities, ships and concerts according to the programme.
What style of festival is it?
Maritime heritage, traditional sailing ships, sea shanties, music and harbour festivities.
How much time should I allow?
Half a day to 3 days, depending on your plans.
How do I get there?
The port of Paimpol; TER train station nearby; traffic and parking heavily changed during the event.
See also all the festivals in Brittany.
Stay in Paimpol
Places to stay that are still available, with current prices, compared across the main booking platforms.
Partner link: a booking made from this map may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Read in the journal
- City guideWhat to do in Paimpol: the complete guideThe port of Paimpol, the Abbaye de Beauport, the Pointe de l’Arcouest and the Île de Bréhat, Loguivy-de-la-Mer and the sea shanty festival: what to do in and around Paimpol.
- ChristmasWhat to do in Côtes-d’Armor during the Christmas holidaysDinan in winter, scallops, the birds of the bay and Cap Fréhel in the wind: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Côtes-d’Armor.
- SeasonWhat to do in Côtes-d’Armor at All Saints’Pink granite, Cap Fréhel, Bréhat, the scallop season and castles: our ideas for the 2026 All Saints’ holidays in Côtes-d’Armor.
Traveller reviews
Nobody has reviewed this place yet.
Photograph: Chevalier Georges · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons