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Brittany holiday accommodation near Brest»
Oceanopolis Aquarium in Brest shows the diversity of the world’s oceans in its 42 different aquariums of various sizes (ranging from 50,000 to 1 million litres). The Aquarium is divided into 3 climatic zones – polar, temperate and tropical for over 10,000 creatures representing more than 1,000 species. There are exhibitions of fish and flora with explanations of how ocean temperatures are regulated, and more. Closed on Mondays. Adults 16.5€ and Children 11€.
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22nd – 27th February |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Quimper»
The Breton cathedral town of Quimper holds an annual winter festival comprising a variety of concerts – see http://www.hivernautes.com
Tickets costs vary.
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May |
Brittany holiday accommodation near St Quay Portrieux »
The annual Cotes d’Armor Scallop Festival takes place this year in St Quay Portrieux. Visitors can expect the opportunity to sample gourmet seafood, go on fishing trips, watch fish catches being unloaded and see the fish auction.
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9th May |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Mont St Michel »
Departing from Cancale at 9am, this popular marathon attracts some 5,000 runners. The route is reasonably flat and takes participants through magnificent countryside finishing at the foot of the Mount.
If you can’t manage the marathon, there is a 10km race around St Malo’s old ramparts starting at 9am.
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16th May |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Treguier»
Pardons are ancient religious festivals held annually throughout Brittany to honour the local patron saint. Treguier in May is one of Brittany’s largest, with an enormous church mass and ten thousand pilgrims in procession through the streets. Dressed in black, red and ermine and carrying yellow and gold flags, they honour St-Yves, the patron saint of lawyers.
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13th – 16th May |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Binic»
Four days in May of concerts, traditional music and food market, celebrating the local fishing industry – particularly cod. Picturesque boats, fishermen sharing their knowledge of the sea and a variety of special cod dishes to try.
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20th – 23rd May |
Brittany holiday accommodation near St-Brieuc »
The Art Rock Festival combines contemporary music with performance arts over a varied programme that includes international names and established artists. See http://www.artrock.org for details.
St-Brieuc has good shopping and some attractive, well preserved streets, although the city is mostly post-war.
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5th – 10th July |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Rennes »
Each evening during this annual event, musicians, poets and storytellers abound throughout the town. To add to the enjoyment, there are light and sound shows and restaurants participate with special dishes for the event. Les Tombees de la Nuit is free and visitors simply stroll from one performance to another.
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11th July
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Locronan »
A pardon is a religious festival held once a year to honour the local patron saint. Sometimes, it involves just the small village church; for others, it involves the whole parish and many churches. There is usually a procession with the priests at the head and all the pilgrims following, singing, and carrying the colourful banners of their churches. These have been taking place since the middle ages and before in Brittany.
The Petite Troménie in Locronan is one of the oldest and largest pardons in Brittany. Pilgrims in costume carrying gold brocaded silk banners and singing Breton songs begin the procession from Locronan church, and go through the countryside to a sacred forest clearing, Le Nemeton. This natural temple in the middle of the forest was a pagan site of worship for centuries, dedicated to nature and fertility.
The procession goes to 12 different sites throughout the forest and ends at Locranon Mountain.
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15th – 18th July |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Carhaix »
This is France’s largest music festival, now attracting big names in the music industry and more than 200,000 festival-goers every year. This year’s line-up includes Bruce Springsteen and Lily Allen.
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17th – 25th July |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Quimper »
This year is the 86th Festival de Cornouaille in Quimper, Brittany's biggest celebration of Breton culture. Participants wear traditional Breton costumes called ‘guises’ of which there are 66 different kinds. The event comprises concerts, street parades and street musicians all of whom bring the beautiful medieval city of Quimper to life
The first festival took place in 1922 to celebrate the Breton way of life, Quimper being the capital of the duchy of Cornouaille.
Today, spectators can enjoy music and dance performances all day long in the area around the cathedral plus a plethora of celebrations in the medieval streets, on the quayside and by the 16th century bishop’s palace. Each evening, Fest Noz concerts continue late into the night.
The festival brings together Breton traditions and modern creativity, and attracts a diverse range of talented performers
The street events are free, start at 10am and finish at 7pm and include special children’s shows. Concerts and evening events are ticketed.
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25th July |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Gourin
Festival of dancing, concerts, games, exhibitions of crafts and rural traditions plus, of course, a competition for the largest pancake.
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July –Aug |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Vannes
In the summer, Vannes is the venue for an open-air festival of jazz held under the town’s lime trees within the port ramparts. A jazz parade is held on the first evening and streets and bars come alive at night as famous musicians gather to hold friendly jam sessions.
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6th – 8th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near the Crozon Peninsula »
Annual African music festival in the beautiful Crozon Peninsula setting featuring an impressive line-up of international artists.
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6th – 15th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Lorient
Lorient’s annual Celtic arts festival with participants not just from Brittany but Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Asturias, Galicia, the Isle of Man and event Celtic contingents from Canada and Australia.
In addition to musicians (including traditional, classical, folk, rock and jazz), visitors can enjoy dancers, painters, sculptors, writers and film-makers. There is also a range of competitions, including the Breton Bagpipe Championship and one of the highlights is a traditional Breton Fest Noz, a night of dance and music. You will hear all the Celtic languages being spoken and can sample delicious Breton cuisine
This event is important for cultural exchange and economic co-operation as well as being a huge celebration of Celtic culture.
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7th – 8th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Perros Guirec »
A wonderful 2 day festival of Celtic music which brings together 500 groups from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Galicia and Asturias. The concerts are open air and take place in the town centre and Les Jardins de la Capitainerie.
There are performances by Breton and Celtic bands and individuals, plus invited musicians from outside the Celtic world.
Breton catering includes mussels, brochettes, beer and cider.
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10th – 15th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Plomodiern »
Annual folk festival with folk dancing, concerts and painting in the pretty seaside town of Plomodiern.
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13th – 15th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near St Malo »
Major summer music festival with some 30 bands playing in 3 St Malo venues – the beach, the Casino and Fort de St-Pere.
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14th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Brest »
Flea market held in the streets by Les Halles Saint-Louis on the second Saturday every month.
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14th – 22nd August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Guingamp »
Breton folk dance festival and National Breton Dance Championship. There are daily folk dance performances, various concerts and a traditional Fest Noz.
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15th – 16th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Perros Guirec »
This long-celebrated pardon begins with a torch-lit procession on the evening of 15th August to the chapel known as ‘Our Lady of the Light.’ It was the lights of this chapel that guided sailors on a sinking boat back into shore.
The following day sees mass in the morning and a procession in the afternoon – villagers carry small boats to the chapel to be blessed.
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20th – 22nd August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Concarneau
Concarneau’s annual festival celebrating the traditional costume, music, dance and cuisine of this part of Brittany.
The first festival was held in 1905 to bring cheer to Concarneau’s sardine fishermen and their families following a downturn in the industry the previous year.
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21st – 22nd August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Roscoff »
Festival to celebrate the red onion with a market, concerts and procession.
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14th July – 25th Aug |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Brest »
Every Thursday evening from 7.30pm in the summer, the city of Brest invites locals and visitors to a colourful carnival in the Port de Commerce, where music and good food are served. There are activities for all the family and local delicacies can be sampled from one of the many stalls that are set up for the occasion.
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21st – 28th August |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Douarnenez »
The week long Festival du Cinema de Douarnenez draws some 22,000 visitors to the town with screenings, discussions, exhibitions, literary gatherings and concerts. This year, the 32nd Festival has a focus on ‘Les Peuples du Caucase.’
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Plonevez-Porzay
One of the oldest and largest of Brittany’s pardons. Open-air mass takes place on the sand dunes followed by a procession over the dunes. Pilgrims wear traditional Breton costumes, and carry ancient Breton crosses and decorated banners from their parish churches.
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First weekend |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Dinan »
Traditional boat rally up the River Rance to the port of Dinan with parades, street festivities, food and song.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Rennes »
A superb event for horse-lovers, with more than 700 horses. The event includes show-jumping, displays, rides and retail.
It is held at La Pevalaye Sports Centre, opening hours are 9am to 6pm and entrance is free.
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7th – 10th October |
Brittany holiday accommodation near Dinard »
Annal event screening top English-language films and the event includes a number of awards. Head to the main square for the opening screen – as this is open-air, don’t forget to take chairs with you!
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Lanvellec
Three of Lanvellec’s churches host a series of Baroque concerts. The town’s festival is on at the same time with its food market, processions and artisan demonstrations.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near St-Briac
For Christmas shopping with a difference, visit St-Briac’s craft fair where you can see artisans such as potters and wood-turners at work and purchase their goods.
You can also enjoy Breton foodstalls selling traditional and local produce such as cheese and cakes, and street musicians and performers.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Brest »
Some 250 short films by film-makers across Europe screened at Le Quartz, Brest.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Rennes »
Well known French musical festival with a large line-up of both established and new artists.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Ploermel
Ploermel’s Christmas preparations include their traditional Christmas market. Located in the town centre, it includes hand-made toys and lots of present ideas.
You can also browse the foodstalls with their cakes, bread, cheese and more.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Peillac
This delightful festival is devoted to children who can enjoy Christmas tales and fairy stories read and performed by actors and musicians in traditional costumes.
Starting right at the beginning of December, the festival closes at Epiphany with a special huge gallette des rois made by Peillac’s bakers. Gallette des rois is a special almond tart containing a tiny figurine called a ‘feve.’ If you have the slice containing the feve, you become king or queen of the family and wear a paper crown for the day.
The festival’s unusual name comes from the Christmas tradition of putting oranges or coal in stockings. Oranges would show that the person had been good during the previous year but the quantity of coal received reflected how badly they had behaved. Nowadays, the Mayor of Peillac donates a ton of oranges to show how good the inhabitants are.
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Brittany holiday accommodation near Perros Guirec »
Midwinter watersports competition – not for the faint-hearted!
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