Held from July 27 to August 1, 1992, in Angers, France, the Fourth International Polychaete Conference gathered 200 scientists and students from 32 countries for a vibrant week of polychaete research and exchange. Under the leadership of Dr. Patrick Gillet and a dedicated French organizing committee, the event featured 71 oral presentations and 101 posters, covering a wide range of topics including cytophysiology, reproduction, taxonomy, ecology, and even applied aspects such as polychaete farming and bioactive compounds. The conference program reflected a growing appreciation for polychaetes not just as taxonomic subjects, but as biological models with diverse research applications. Two mid-conference excursions—one to the scenic Loire Valley and another to Bourgneuf Bay—gave participants a chance to explore the region and connect outside the lecture halls. The proceedings were published in a special volume of the Mémoires du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle and included 65 peer-reviewed papers, many featuring new data and species descriptions, as well as all abstracts from the conference. With tributes to legendary polychaetologists like Pierre Fauvel and Ralph I. Smith, the conference also honored the legacy of those who laid the foundation for the field. Angers proved to be a fitting venue, rich in scientific history and well-suited for a meeting that broadened the scope of polychaetology and helped shape the direction of future research.