Vent de Galerne

“Our group “Vent de Galerne” was founded within the circle “Tréteau et Terroir” during the one and only Trentemoult Sailor Song Festival (from September 11 to 13, 1987).

At that time, the notion of maritime heritage was still barely mentioned.

“Vent de Galerne” is the meeting of salt waters and fresh waters; it is the meeting of sailors sailing to distant lands and light-footed girls; it is the meeting of sailors from the Loire and Brittany; it is an invitation to travel “from the Loire” and “on the bridges” in order to discover the maritime and river past of Nantes and, beyond, the estuary, for crossings to distant lands; it is a trip to the liking of winds, carrying marine scents, stories of sailors, sailors; small and large ports, Told through traditional and compositional songs; it is the navigation on the canal from Nantes to Brest, punctuated by the passages of locks, and the stops in the inns where “the girls are beautiful” and where “the wine is good, at under 10 for the bottle! …”

If our crew was able to change, during the stopovers, the fact remains that its attachment to the maritime history of Nantes, to the Loire and its tributaries, such as the Erdre, has been able to endure. It has even been consolidated by a whole research work that has made it possible to build a repertoire of more than 70 songs. In addition, our crew is lucky to be able to count on the presence of musicians and ringers mastering traditional music. This allows a much appreciated musical enrichment during our performances. Thus, whether on the bridges of the schooners or the gabarres, on the bridges of Nantes, in the guinguettes of the riversides or in the bistros of sailors of the docks, our songs invite spectators to repeat the lyrics and even to sketch a few dance steps.

So, don’t hesitate to listen to this wind and embark with us… because it’s time to take off!”

The group’s singers are accompanied by a diatonic accordion, flutes, oboe, clarinet, bombard and violin.

Regarding the name of the group: The galerne is a cold and humid northwest wind that blows in gusts over the west of France,

Note: Not to be confused with the French folk group – Vent de Galarne

At time of writing, (May 2025) the group was found to have produced four CDs, only the first of which appears to be currently available;

• Vent de Galerne 2015
• De sur la Loire 2005
• Vire au gindas 1996
• Chants de la basse Loire 1986