Paimpol-Festival du Chant De MarinWhen song sets sail
“In the port of Amsterdam, there’s a sailor who sings”…Well it happens in the port of Paimpol too! Every two years, throughout August, hundreds of traditional sailing ships call into Paimpol harbour, sea shanties sound out from the quays and international stars are also ready to climb aboard for this sea shanty festival. It’s amour at first sight in Côtes d’Armor, which rises to the occasion every time by raising anchor and setting a course for new horizons. From the Black Sea to the Baltic, the banks of the Nile to the Cape of Good Hope, this event has drawn in the crowds for the likes of Marianne Faithfull, Carlos Núñez, Touré Kunda and Goran Bregović. Sea shanties were originally sung by sailors to help them pace their work on board ship or wind down when they reached port. The shanties tell tales of travel, adventure and camaraderie, themes that now run rife throughout this festival in Paimpol. In 2025, all aboard for Quebec. Spotlight on the Bell Province’s artistic and maritime creation. Ready to cast off?
