Main dates
A great week of sailing and festivities, for crews and visitors alike!
Monday afternoon, 26 May 2025
Opening and welcome of the fleets
On Monday, the fleets will be welcomed at the Opening Ceremony: from the Port-Navalo lighthouse, the starting gun will be fired in the middle of the afternoon. All the boats present will gather with the Tall Ships flotilla off Méaban, then take the Grand Chenal to escort them as they enter the Gulf.
Tuesday 27th May 2025
‘Ile d'Arz Tuesday
The ever-popular ‘Arz Island Day’ will bring together dozens and dozens of boats docking on the island in the late morning. Hundreds of crews, as well as well-informed visitors, will enjoy a large picnic in the wooded field overlooking the slipways and the beach. They will also share a festive moment with the local community to the rhythm of sea chanteys, Breton dances and Dutch musicians.
Wednesday 28 May 2025
First flotilla sailings
Flotilla sailing begins, with a programme adapted to the specific characteristics of each boat. Sculling contests, challenges, a tour of the Île-aux-Moines and the Passage du Gué will set the pace for these moments at sea!
Thursday 29 May 2025
Salute to the Houat & Hoëdic archipelago
On Ascension Thursday, some fleets will be sailing towards the Houat and Hoëdic archipelago. Some boats will be able to stop at Houat for the evening and night.
Friday 30th May 2025
Flotilla sailing
Evenings in the various flotilla ports of call.
Saturday 31 May 2025, afternoon
Grand Parade
In the middle of the day, taking advantage of the ebb tide, the boats converge on the exit from the Gulf and position themselves off Les Méabans. When the current reversal is well established, at around 17:00, they enter the Narrows between Locmariaquer and Port-Navalo. Reserved exclusively for boats entered in the ‘Semaine du Golfe’, the parade fleet is organised into four groups, each flanked by two spectacular sailing boats: one leading the way to guide the smaller boats, the other closing the way.
