Carnaval de Lorient

The Carnaval de Lorient: a popular festival rooted in the city

Each year in March, the city of Lorient transforms into a huge street theater for its Carnival. This unifying event mobilizes thousands of Lorient residents of all ages, from schoolchildren to seniors, from families to associations, in a creative and festive adventure that lasts several weeks.

Collective and participatory preparation

From February onwards, the City of Lorient offers a series of free workshops open to all to prepare for the big day: costume and mask making workshops, singing and dancing rehearsals, float construction, discovery of world recipes, and popular games. These collective creation sessions bring together residents from different neighborhoods and promote intergenerational exchanges.

Schools, leisure centers, and cultural and sports associations are fully involved in the preparation, creating spectacular costumes and original staging related to the annual theme.

The grand parade: an explosion of colors and joy

On Carnival Saturday, it's the big day. The procession sets off in the early afternoon from Rue Victor Massé and crosses the streets of Lorient in an explosion of colors, music, and dances. Music bands and street circus groups accompany the parade, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. The public is invited to join the celebration, in costume and with face paint.

The parade concludes with a spectacular moment: the burning of the Bonhomme Carnaval, a symbol of the end of the festivities and the renewal of spring.

A different theme each year

Each edition of the Carnaval de Lorient is built around an original theme that fuels the imagination of the participants: cinema, around the world, fairy tales, nature... This theme guides the creation of costumes, floats, and entertainment, offering a renewed and surprising spectacle every year.