Fête du Maërl

Held every four years, this popular festival brings to life, for a single day, an important chapter in local history, when the inhabitants of the peninsula made their living from both the land and the sea.

A bit of history:
From the early 19th century onwards, the Plougastel peninsula – whose motto is ‘Var zouar ha var vor’ (‘On land and at sea’) – lived in tune with these two complementary activities. The inhabitants were both farmers and fishermen.
At sea, sailors dredged the seabed to harvest red seaweed and maërl, which were used as natural fertilisers to enrich the farmland. These marine resources contributed significantly to the fertility of the soil for which Plougastel strawberries are renowned.
In the early 1900s, nearly 5,000 tonnes of maërl and seaweed were unloaded each year at the small port of Pont-Callec, accessible only at high tide. Around 200 boats took part in this activity, which was vital to the local economy.
This festival marks a significant period in our maritime and agricultural heritage.


The event brings the traditions of yesteryear to life through various activities:
· dredging bezhin ruz (red seaweed) at sea by old sailing ships using traditional dredges
· transporting the seaweed using horse-drawn carts
· working the land
· demonstrations of traditional trades linked to life at sea and on land

Over the years, this festival has become a highlight of local life, bringing together several generations to pass on this heritage.

Programme:

Morning:
· Port du Tinduff: Departure very early in the morning for the dredging of red seaweed at sea by five old sailing vessels using traditional dredges, returning to port around 11.30 am.
· In the town centre at 10.30 am, a parade of horse-drawn carriages and vintage tractors accompanied by the Bagad ADARRE, followed by traditional dancing in the square with the Celtic circle BLEUNIOU SIVI.
· At Pont Calleg: From 11.00 am, entertainment, a craft market and an art exhibition

Midday
· Lunch for the ‘crews’ at the Pont-Calleg site (open to all), with entertainment provided by the sea shanty group A VIRER.
· Arrival of the horse-drawn teams accompanied by the ADARRE bagad
· Partners’ drinks reception

Afternoon:
· Village showcasing traditional crafts linked to maritime and land-based activities
· Craft market
· Art exhibition
· Children’s entertainment with games and activities
· Creative mural
· Street entertainment with CAPTAIN PAILLETTES, ANIME TES RÊVES, stilt walkers, etc.
· Fest deiz with the group PEV4R
· Traditional entertainment by the Celtic circle BLEUNION SIVI and the ADARRE bagad
· Demonstration of traditional Breton strength games with Bro Foen: axle lifting, bazh yod, heavy stone throwing, etc.
· Traditional Plougastel skittles game: Anter Dro (half-turn)
· Around 5.30 pm, arrival of the old sailing ships, some laden with red seaweed, some not – around 30 traditional sailing vessels, with commentary.
· Unloading of the red seaweed and transfer by tipper lorry to a farm field
· Refreshments: sandwiches, crêpes, local produce, drinks stand, etc.


In the evening:

· Seafood meal with entertainment by the sea shanty group A VIRER
· Musical evening until 1 am featuring:
· Pop-rock band Les CHATS VIRES early in the evening
· Pop-rock band MZH Project late in the evening
· Festive evening until 1 am

Practical information:
10.30 am–12 noon in the village of Plougastel-Daoulas.
11 am–1 am on site at Pont-Callec.