ExperienceFestivals for everyone in Ille‑et‑Vilaine

Festivals for everyone in Ille‑et‑Vilaine

Whether you’re a fan of comic books, crazy about rock music or a dedicated reader, there is a festival in Ille-et-Vilaine for you. Less than two hours by high-speed train from Paris, this part of Brittany is the stage for many international cultural events. Do you want to dance, pulsate, meet your favourite performers or authors? Then get ready to be surprised!

©Le Festival du Théâtre de Poche, Hédé-Bazouges|Jacqueline Piriou

ARE YOU A FAN OF BRETON CULTURE? DANCE YOUR HEART AWAY AT THE YAOUANK FESTIVAL

Do you want to immerse yourself in Breton culture? To pulsate to the sound of Celtic music for a whole night? Then don’t miss the Yaouank (meaning “young” in Breton) festival, the biggest fest-noz (night festival) organised in Brittany! Founded in Rennes in 1999 with the ambition of creating a free event for young people, it has become the flagship festival for fans of Breton dances like Gavotte, An Dro, Fisel and many others. Whether it’s in your habits or a completely new discovery, dancing at Yaouank will leave you with an unforgettable memory. Imagine thousands of novice or experienced dancers making the giant dance floor in Parc Expo in Rennes shake to the rhythm of bagads (bagpipes) and famous Breton bands. Carried along by this incredible energy, you’ll enjoy the full Breton experience.

Ille-et-Vilaine is also the land of the Gallo language. Discover the Gallo culture with “La Gallésie en fête”, a friendly and family festival organised in Monterfil. You’ve never heard of godinette? Or drôlètt? It’s the opportunity to taste these Gallo beverages (with moderation of course)! On the programme: concerts, Gouren wrestling, fest-deiz and fest-noz, sports challenges and Celtic games.

Book a weekend in Rennes

ARE YOU A ROCKER AT HEART? DON’T MISS LA ROUTE DU ROCK, IN SUMMER OR WINTER

Do you love listening to solo guitar playing? Is rock music second nature to you? Then don’t miss the Route du Rock festival in Saint-Malo! With two editions per year, in summer (the original) and winter (the newest), this festival takes place on the exceptional site of Fort Saint-Père in Saint-Malo and in emblematic halls, bringing together rock and electro music bands and artists. Do you want names? Tame Impala, Metronomy, Beirut, to name just a few. With melancholic folk, catchy rock or soft pop, La Route du Rock is above all the meeting place for independent music, the spearhead of the organisers for over 30 years.

ARE YOU A COMIC BOOK FAN? THEN QUAI DES BULLES IN SAINT-MALO IS THE EVENT FOR YOU

If you love comic books and graphic novels and your bookshelf is sagging with the weight of Achille Talon, Spirou or Corto Maltese albums, you’ll be in your element in at Quai de Bulles in Saint-Malo port. Imagine all of your favourite authors together in the same marquee. Does it sound like a dream ? It’s a reality at the Quai des Bulles festival ! Meet them, ask them to dedicate their latest edition: over 700 authors attend this flagship meeting of the comic book world. To make the most of the event, stay in Saint-Malo for a few days.

Book a weekend in Saint-Malo

1981 : that’s the date of the first edition of the Quai des Bulles festival in Saint-Malo !
Created in 1981 by Jacques Plouët, director of the Maison pour tous in Saint-Servan, the comic book festival expanded in just a few years. Today it is the second largest comic book festival in France after Angoulême, and each year the event draws in over 40,000 visitors and well-known authors over a three-day period.

CRAZY ABOUT ELECTRO MUSIC? GO TO THE TRANS MUSICALES IN RENNES

Over 60,000 festival goers vibrate to the sound of the future headliners of the electro scene. A unique scene specific to Transmusicales in Rennes. Created in 1979, Les Rencontres des Trans Musicales has become an international event eagerly awaited by all fans of rock and electro music, of course, but also closely watched by talent spotters. At the forefront of current music, the festival has revealed bands and artists that have since become global stars: Etienne Daho, Niagara, Lenny Kravitz, Björk, Ben Harper, Daft Punk, Stromae, etc.

« Have you heard about… Ben harper and the falafel seller from Rennes? »
In 1993, Ben Harper performed at the Transmusicales. During the few days he stayed in Rennes, he stayed up all night talking with a falafel seller. Remembering this unique encounter, on the festival’s 40th anniversary, the artist launched a search for the seller. The story made the headlines. And shortly after, the seller was identified.

Les Transmusicales is a bubbling brew of styles, a frenzied audience and a unique atmosphere. Whether you love electronic music or you’re simply curious, save the date, you won’t regret it!

Don’t drink and drive The free shuttle bus
Do you want to make the most of your evening at Parc Expo without having to ask yourself questions (always with moderation, of course)? If nobody in your group wants to drive, there is a free shuttle bus between the site and the city centre from 7.30pm and until 7.30am. No driver? Don’t take a car!