Carnaval à l'Ouest - La Cavalcade de Scaër

A Century of Carnival Tradition in Cornouaille

The Carnaval à l'Ouest, formerly known as the Cavalcade de Scaër, is a festive event with roots stretching back over a century. Founded in 1921, this Breton carnival has gradually established itself as the biggest carnival in Brittany and one of the most remarkable in France. The town of Scaër, nestled in the heart of Finistère's Cornouaille region, sees its population multiply by eight during each edition, growing from 5,000 to over 40,000 people for a weekend.

Spectacular Floats and 1,500 Participants

The heart of Carnaval à l'Ouest is its monumental parade. Over 20 floats of impressive dimensions, designed and built over months by Scaër's associations and volunteers, parade through the town's streets. Each float is a true mobile work of art, the result of hundreds of hours of collective work. 1,500 costumed participants accompany the floats, creating a colorful and joyful procession stretching for several hundred meters. Brass bands, 'grosses têtes', percussion groups, and batucadas liven up the parade with their infectious rhythms.

Two Days of Non-Stop Celebration

Carnaval à l'Ouest unfolds over two full days, on Pentecost Sunday and Monday. The parade starts at 2 PM from Rue Jean Jaurès, and the procession crosses the entire town center to the cheers of the crowd gathered along the route. Festivities continue into the evening with concerts, musical entertainment, and popular dances until the early morning. The nighttime atmosphere alternates between live music groups, DJ sets, and street dances in a spirit of community celebration.

A Living Heritage of Breton Culture

Beyond the spectacle, Carnaval à l'Ouest is a living heritage of Breton popular culture. It demonstrates the ability of small rural communities to unite their inhabitants around a large-scale collective project. The construction of the floats, which spans several months, mobilizes dozens of volunteers of all ages, perpetuating artisanal know-how passed down through generations. The carnival is also a time for satire and humor, where local and national news is parodied through the themes of the floats and the participants' costumes.

The 2025 Edition: The Centenary Continues

The 2025 edition of Carnaval à l'Ouest is part of the ongoing centenary celebrations of the Cavalcade, which was marked in 2023. This new edition promises to live up to the event's reputation, with an even more creative parade and entertainment for all audiences. The carnival remains true to its founding values: conviviality, popular creativity, and Breton pride.