Alfred Guillou, along with Théophile Deyrolle, are founders of the "school of Concarneau ”, which favours scenes connected with fishing ports.  In this ambitious work, he combines the old sea dogs, the fishing boats and the religious theme of the pardon: the boats have just crossed the bay of Concarneau and the pilgrims are disembarking.  The same face has been used for the women in the foreground, indicating the use of a studio model.