Les Grandes Marées – L’Aiguillon-sur-mer

Les Grandes Marées – Festival de chants de marins – La Faute-sur-Mer / L’Aiguillon-sur-mer.

The idea of a local festival of sea songs originated from the group, L’Écho du Pertuis at the beginning of 2018.

A free festival in La Faute-sur-Mer in the southern Vendee of north-west France subsequently took place the next year, including seven local groups, predominately from the regions of the Vendée, Charente-Maritime and Landes.

Due to its success, this format was repeated annually, (with the exception of 2020 due to Covid restrictions), each year including a core of regular groups plus one or two new performers in its schedule.

The marine song festival, also known as  “Les Grandes Marées,”) or “High Tides” in English) changed its stated location to the nearby L’Aiguillon-sur-mer as since January 1, 2022, La Faute-sur-Mer has been classified as a delegated municipality of the new municipality of L’Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île

It should be noted that the title, “Les Grandes Marées” is used by other festivals in France, both maritime and mainstream, the largest of which takes place annually in Jullouville, La Manche

Unfortunately, at time of writing we were unable to locate a website or Facebook page for this event, nor contact details, photographs, videos or further information.

The seventh edition of the festival took place on the 7th August 2025.

The next Festival is reported in the press to be taking place in August 2026