Overview
The Fête des Marins in Honfleur is one of the oldest French maritime traditions still celebrated today. It mixes religious pilgrimage, tribute to the missing sailors, popular celebration and Norman maritime identity.
The festival has officially existed since 1861, the date of creation of the Société des Marins de Honfleur, the association that still perpetuates this maritime tradition. Originally, it was mainly a religious pilgrimage of sailors and fishermen who came to ask for the protection of the Virgin before departures at sea and pay tribute to the deceased. Over time, the celebration has become a major event in the city, while maintaining a strong spiritual and memorial dimension.
Honfleur being historically focussed on the sea – fishing, trade, exploration and navigation – the festival is deeply linked to the identity of the city. The inhabitants often mention the great navigators such as Samuel de Champlain; the Honfleurais corsairs; the tradition of the shipowners and sailors of the port.
Today, the Fête des Marins is considered one of the oldest maritime pilgrimages in France; one of the most important events of the year in Honfleur.
Every Pentecost weekend Honfleur prepares and dresses up in its finest attire. For a few days now the entire town has been decked out in the colours of the sailors at every window and on every street corner.
The 165th (!) Fête des Marins de Honfleur took place between the 23rd and 35th May 2026 and next will take place on the 15th & 16th May 2027.