Kite and Wind Festival in Châtelaillon-Plage: the Charente-Maritime Guide tested it for you!

Every year, Easter weekend marks the official launch of the tourist season in Charente-Maritime with a now legendary event: the International Kite and Wind Festival. Easter weekend 2026 will remain etched in the memories of visitors. Under a spring sky and bright sunshine, the 32nd edition of the festival once again transformed Châtelaillon-Plage into a stage of dreams and color.

The Charente-Maritime Guide was on site to experience this event which has become emblematic for all locals and tourists passing through.

A transformed sky: the spectacle of giants

Your inner child isn't ready for this vibrant weekend. For three days, more than 800 kites flew simultaneously above the main beach of Châtelaillon-Plage. The sky became a stage for boundless creativity.

XXL and artistic structures

At this event, the public can admire monumental creations that defy the laws of gravity: giant octopuses with moving tentacles, whales, giraffes, and traditional dragons rise to form a unique, colorful tableau. Alongside them, artistic kites, veritable pieces of aerial haute couture, play with light and transparency.

The precision of champions

Furthermore, the festival also welcomes the world's elite in the discipline. French, European, and World champions perform synchronized acrobatic ballets. To the rhythm of the music, these extreme pilots make their kites dance with surgical precision, offering choreographies that rival those of the French Air Force's aerobatic demonstration team, the Patrouille de France.

Adrenaline and thrills: The "Wind Maniacs"

The festival isn't just about observation. It's also a showcase for kite-powered gliding sports. Visitors can watch impressive demonstrations of:

• Kite-jumping and kite-surfing on the waves.
• Land kiting and kite buggying on the sand, where speed and technical mastery ensure a continuous show.

A paradise for families

The Charente-Maritime Guide particularly recommends the event for its intergenerational atmosphere.

• The legendary Easter Egg Hunt: on Sunday mornings, the beach transforms into a playground for children who set off in search of Easter chocolates.
• Learning through play: many workshops allow younger children to make their own kite or to learn about environmental protection in the educational area.
• Adventure and Immersion: between the wind maze, trampolines, and virtual reality experiences, there's no shortage of activities. For those who want to try the water, introductory sessions in Optimist sailing and stand-up paddleboarding are available.

Become a part of the wind festival

The festival is also an opportunity to bring a little bit of that magic home with you.

The Exhibitors' Village

For those looking to decorate their outdoor spaces, numerous stalls offer kites of all sizes, as well as fascinating wind-powered objects. You'll find colorful windmills, windsocks, and kinetic garden sculptures that come to life with the slightest breeze.

Learn to fly

Have you always dreamed of flying a kite without it crashing after two seconds? Kite flying lessons are offered for children and adults during the festival. Led by enthusiasts, you 'll learn the basics of harnessing the wind and performing your first tricks in the skies above Châtelaillon.

A commitment for tomorrow

The festival is also a showcase for sustainable mobility. The Guide encourages you to discover the innovative alternatives on display: new generation electric bikes, scooters and other environmentally friendly modes of transport to imagine the city of tomorrow.

Practical tips from the Charente-Maritime Guide for experiencing the festival in Châtelaillon-Plage

How to come ?

The crowds are at record levels over these three days. The Guide strongly advises you to plan your trip in advance:

• The TER regional train is the ideal solution. Châtelaillon-Plage station is just a 5-minute walk from the event.
• Free shuttle buses: If you are coming by car, we recommend using the park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of town. Free shuttle buses run frequently to the seafront.
• Cycling and soft mobility: dedicated parking spaces are provided for cyclists. It's undoubtedly the most pleasant way to arrive at the site.

On site

• Welcome and Information: Head towards the welcome tents. Volunteers there distribute programs and detailed maps of the flying areas free of charge.
• Equipment: bring sunscreen and sunglasses (we spend the day with our noses in the air!), but also a windbreaker, as the sea air can still be cool.
• Dining: To have lunch at one of the restaurants along the seafront, reservations are essential several days (or even weeks) in advance. Otherwise, take advantage of the many high-quality food trucks set up for the occasion.

Mark your calendars: see you on March 27, 28 and 29, 2027 in Châtelaillon-Plage!

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