There are lots of family friendly festivals and fascinating events taking place across Brittany 2014. These are great if you want to experience something that is totally unique to the region. Here are some of the events we are most looking forward to in 2014. If you need accommodation, search our gites in Brittany.
Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques
Where: Saint-Quay-Portrieux
When: 12-13 April 2014
Scallops from the St-Brieuc bay are renowned as some of the best in the world, and so every year the local villages get together to host a festival to mark the end of the scallop-fishing season. Visitors can find out more about the lives of the fisherman, take a fishing rip with one of the crews, and taste lots of delicious fresh scallops. On Saturday morning the ‘Knights of the Scallop’ parade through the streets, with street entertainment, concerts and brass bands taking over afterwards.
Find out more at: www.saintquayportrieux.com, or watch this short film from the 2011 event which was held in Erquy:
Spi Ouest-France Intermarché
Where: La Trinité-sur-Mer
When: 17-21 April 2014
This sailing regatta features the largest gathering of yachts in Europe, with more than 400 yachts lined up and ready to race in Quiberon Bay.
Find out more at: www.spi-ouestfrance.com, or watch this film from the 2012 event:
Festival of Brittany
Where: Across Brittany
When: 15-18 May 2014
The Fete de la Bretagne is a series of events that take place across the region to celebrate the vitality and spirit of Breton culture. There are hundreds of concerts, exhibitions, feasts and markets, and around 170,000 people attend. Keep an eye out for posters, flyers and banners to find out what’s taking place nearby during your holiday.
Find out more at: www.fetedelabretagne.com
Fête des Remparts
Where: Dinan
When: 19-20 July 2014
Dinan goes back to its medieval past with jousting, markets, open-air dances, a great parade, shows and events. The locals get stuck in to, donning medieval garb to give an extra taste of authenticity to the celebrations.
Find out more: www.fete-remparts-dinan.com or watch this video:
Fêtes Historiques de Vannes
Where: Vannes
When: 26-27 July 2014
The capital of Morbihan celebrates its history with a weekend festival including jousting, street theatre and concerts. This is a great time to explore the medieval town of Vannes, which has more than 250 buildings that are classified as historical monuments.
To find out more: www.mairie-vannes.fr
Festival de Cornouaille
Where: Quimper
When: 22-27 July 2014
This celebration of Celtic culture has been taking place for almost 90 years. Quimper’s historic town centre is transformed as more than 250,000 people come to see the shows, concerts – there has been everything from bagpipe playing to Simple Minds – and a giant parade where everyone dresses up in traditional Breton costumes.
Find out more at: www.festival-cornouaille.com
Lorient Celtic Festival
Where: Lorient
When: 1-10 August 2014
Every summer around 700,000 people descend on Lorient to take part in the town’s famous Celtic festival. There are around 200 events taking place with about 5,000 performers – the atmosphere is truly amazing.
More information: www.festival-interceltique.com or have a listen to the sounds of the festival with this video:
Les Filets Bleus
Where: Concarneau
When: 14-17 August 2014
The festival is so called because when it first started, more than 100 years ago, the quays of Concarneau were covered in blue sardine-fishing nets. Highlights include a parade with everyone dressed up in traditional costumes, Breton dance and Gouren, which is a style of Breton wrestling.
Further details from: www.festivaldesfiletsbleus.fr
Do you know of more events we should include here? Tell us by adding a comment.
