The Loire Festival
THE LOIRE FESTIVAL IN ORLEANS
THE MOST POPULAR EVENT
All aboard for the largest river boat festival in Europe, hosted on the Loire in Orleans!
FIVE DAYS OF FESTIVITIES
One of the biggest events in Orleans, the Loire Festival is five days of festivities to celebrate the grand old history of river transport and the magnificent heritage of France’s longest river.
Held every other September in the former Port of Orleans, the Loire Festival is attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors eager to see over 200 boats, 700 sailors and 500 artists take part in this fun, fascinating event where unforgettable memories are made!
Don’t miss the 9th Loire Festival and the opportunity to discover the enchanting world of river transport and the traditional boats moored along the Loire quayside. England and the Thames as ‘river of honour’ are guests at this year’s festival.
A traditionnal event
Traditional sablières, an assortment of flat-bottomed barges (toues and fûtreaux) and fishing vessels are the main attractions. They are in the spotlight during events on the river, special performances and public celebrations.
Sailors and cabin boys take centre stage for the week to showcase the craft of skippering and the customs of the royal river. River cruises, regattas and nautical activities complete the programme of things to see and do on the water.
The celebration is also the perfect opportunity to discover the time-honoured heritage of the Loire Valley and Loiret! Traditional arts and crafts at the Loire Fair, local specialities at the Loire Village and riverside bars on the Loire offer even more reasons to make your way down to the city’s quays!
AN UNMISSABLE EVENT
With a string of fun and educational things to do designed for a young audience, the Loire Festival is an event for the whole family on the riverside. A stroll around the city’s old town, from Sainte-Croix Cathedral to the Loire quayside, is a delightful way to explore another side of Orleans.
Visiting with friends? Enjoy a drink on the waterside and tuck into Loire specialities served at traditional pop up bars (open-air riverside bars) during the festival!
Evening is the perfect time to go for a walk along the Loire quayside, ooh and ah at the street performers or fireworks, and admire the illuminations on the bridges and islands in the river, so many things that make the Loire Festival a major highlight for the city.
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