Châtelaillon-Plage: the 47th edition of the Boucholeurs Festival is approaching

The village of Boucholeurs is preparing to celebrate its maritime and human heritage on August 10 with a program rich in activities and traditions.

"The Boucholeurs Festival is, above all, a moment deeply rooted in the local collective memory. It evokes the soul of a village that has always been turned towards the sea, with its harsh and demanding professions." These are the words Stéphane Villain, mayor of the seaside resort of Châtelaillon-Plage, uses to describe the Boucholeurs Festival, now an integral part of Châtelaillon's summer traditions. He adds: "This festival is much more than an event: it is a tribute to these valiant and passionate professionals, to their quality of work, to their resilience in the face of sometimes violent trials. For example, storm Xynthia could have wiped the village off the map. All in all, it is a unique opportunity to celebrate our maritime and human heritage."

This year, for its ^47th edition, the Boucholeurs Festival will take place on Sunday, August 10, in this emblematic village of oyster farming tradition: the Boucholeurs. For one day, the shellfish farming union, the Boucholeurs and Port districts, and the municipalities of Yves and Châtelaillon-Plage come together for an immersion in the lives of the mussel and oyster farmers of this historic village.

Giant mussel eclade

Among the must-see events on the program are the oyster opening and eating competition at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., as well as the traditional giant mussel eclade prepared by the Quartier du Port, and offered from 7 p.m. on the sea wall of Place André Hesse. The annual mud football game will take place from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the seafront. Entertainment and shows for young audiences will be offered throughout the day at various locations in the Boucholeurs village. The highly anticipated public ball will take place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. to the rhythm of songs played by the band Showys, and punctuated at 10:30 p.m. by a fireworks display fired from the ocean. Finally, for this 2025 edition, a new feature: the "Pousse-Pied" game, which takes its name from a small boat that glides over the mud with just the momentum of the foot.