The Pardon National de la Batellerie, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine's big nautical festival (78)

On Friday June 14, Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16, 2024, the town of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, in the heart of the Yvelines département, will be hosting the Pardon National de la Batellerie, the traditional local festival. For this 65th edition, (re)discover the traditional ceremonies, entertainment and shows that make this traditional celebration in Conflans so special.

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The Pardon National de la Batellerie is an event that has been held since 1960 in Conflans, the French capital of batellerie (piloting barges and other boats on the Seine). Initially conceived as a duty of remembrance to commemorate the veterans of the barge industry who died for France, the event also serves as a grand celebration in honor of the marinière community. Although the festival has a strong religious flavour, it is open to all, giving young and old alike the chance to discover a bit of seafaring folklore.

In addition to the official ceremonies - the rekindling of the flame, the river processions, the official ceremony marking the arrival of the flame... - there's plenty of free entertainment on offer throughout the weekend, including children's activities, a local book fair and numerous shows!

The program for the Pardon National de la Batellerie 2024 :

Official ceremonies

Friday June 14th

• Rekindling of the flame in the presence of veterans of the barge industry, Arc de Triomphe de Paris, 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 15th

• Departure of the flame-boat towards La Frette-sur-Seine, Embarcadère n°1, 12:30 p.m.
• Arrival of the river procession (closed by the flame boat), Promenade François Mitterrand, from 2 p.m.
• Official flame arrival ceremony, château de Théméricourt park, 3pm
• Departure of the procession towards Le Pointil, Promenade François Mitterrand, 3:45 p.m.
• Lighting of the cauldron at the Batellerie war memorial, Pointil, 4:45pm

Sunday June 16th

• Blessing of the boats, on the river, 9am
• Immersion of the Conflans crown, on the river, 10 am
• Batellerie mass, Pointil, 10:30 am
• Prize-giving ceremony for decorated boats, Pointil, 12pm

Entertainment

Saturday, June 15th

• Village Les acteurs du fleuve (river-related professionals), children's storyteller, Promenade François Mitterrand, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Children's entertainment (inflatable games, face painting, climbing, games of skill and fairground games), Théméricourt château park, 11am to 7pm
• Salon du livre des auteurs du coin, aboard the Story-Boat, 2pm to 7pm (also Sunday June 16)
• Les rêveries de la Seine (storytelling for all ages from 7 upwards), château park, 5pm
• Acrobatic show, on the river, 5:30pm
• Concert chansons au fil de l'eau, château grounds, 6pm
• Les Vrillés concert, Place Fouillère, 10pm

Sunday June 16th

• Croisière du Pardon, 45-minute guided cruises to discover the festival from the water. 10 € adults, 5 € children (aged 4 to 11), landing stage at 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm.

So, from June 15 to 16, head to Conflans-Sainte-Honorine to celebrate the Pardon National de la Batellerie and discover this traditional festival that's a must-see in the region.