Festival de Cornouaille
The largest Breton culture festival in France, in the heart of Quimper
About Cornouaille
Festival de Cornouaille: Over a Century of Breton Culture in Quimper
Since 1923, the Festival de Cornouaille has transformed the historic center of Quimper into a vast space for celebration and Breton culture every summer. The oldest and largest festival of its kind in France, it brings together over 150,000 visitors over four days and hosts nearly 2,000 artists for over 150 events.
A Rich and Diverse Program
The festival is structured around several highlights: the bagadoù and sonneurs competitions, which bring together the best traditional Breton musicians; the fest-noz, true open-air Breton balls; the folk stages open to Celtic music and world music; and the Grand Défilé du dimanche (Sunday Grand Parade), a spectacular parade of traditional costumes and banners through the streets of Quimper. Breton dance initiations are offered for all ages, while concerts highlight emerging and established Breton artists.
A Multigenerational and Festive Festival
The Festival de Cornouaille is distinguished by its multigenerational and friendly character. Families, Breton culture enthusiasts, dancers, and music lovers gather in the streets, squares, and venues of Quimper to share unique moments. Many activities are free and accessible to all, making the festival a truly popular event.
Recognized Living Heritage
Founded in 1923 by Louis Le Bourhis, the festival is a major player in the preservation and promotion of Breton cultural heritage. It actively contributes to the transmission of dances, music, and traditions of Cornouaille and all of Brittany. The Association Festival de Cornouaille works throughout the year to prepare this major event, in close collaboration with cultural stakeholders, local authorities, and volunteers from the region.
Cornouaille — edition 2026
The 103rd edition of the Festival de Cornouaille takes place from July 23 to 26, 2026 in the historic center of Quimper. The largest festival of Breton culture in France, it brings together more than 2,000 artists and nearly 150 activities: concerts, fest-noz, bagadoù and sonneurs competitions, dance workshops, and the traditional Sunday Grand Parade in costumes. The 2026 edition inaugurates a new cycle for this centenary event (created in 1923), with an increased focus on creations and approximately three-quarters of the concerts being free.
Festival de Cornouaille 2026 — 103rd edition
From July 23 to 26, 2026, the Festival de Cornouaille takes over the historic center of Quimper for four days of Breton culture. The largest gathering of Breton music and dance, it brings together more than 2,000 artists and offers nearly 150 activities spread throughout the city.
A new cycle for a centenary festival
The 2026 edition marks the beginning of a new artistic cycle for this event created in 1923. The festival strengthens its production dimension by supporting original creations, centered around four dynamics: raw material (roots and transmission), transformation (reinvention of forms), collision of universes (dialogue with other aesthetics), and collective explosion (shared experience). Approximately three-quarters of the concerts are free and accessible to all.
Highlights
On the program: open-air and indoor concerts, fest-noz, bagadoù, sonneurs, and dancers competitions, choreographic workshops, open stages, and the Sunday Grand Parade which gathers Celtic circles and bagadoù in traditional costumes. A "Kernekiz" day is dedicated to children with a parade, shows, and free street entertainment.
Programme Cornouaille 2026
2026 program currently being unveiled by the organization (to be completed as announcements are made). First confirmed elements:
Headliners and 2026 creations
- Pêr Vari Kervarec — "Breton Horizons"
- Carré Manchot — exceptional fest-noz for the group's 40th anniversary
- Annie Ebrel — project "KANAN / CHANTER" (around kan ha diskan)
- DISSIDAÑS
- Krismenn & Tom Leclerc
- Brieg Guerveno
Recurring events
- Bagadoù, sonneurs, and dancers competitions
- Fest-noz
- Paid shows at the Théâtre de Cornouaille
- Free open-air stages (Ar Stêr Stage, ephemeral stages)
- Sunday, July 26 — Grand Parade in traditional costumes
- "Kernekiz" day dedicated to children (parade, shows, free street entertainment)
Highlights Cornouaille 2026
- 103rd edition of a festival created in 1923, the largest festival of Breton culture in France
- More than 2,000 artists and nearly 150 activities in the center of Quimper
- Approximately three-quarters of the concerts are free
- Sunday Grand Parade in traditional costumes (Celtic circles and bagadoù)
- New artistic cycle for 2026 focusing on creation
Prices Cornouaille 2026
Practical information — Cornouaille
Practical Information
Location
Historic center of Quimper, mainly around the cathedral and the quays of the Odet.
Association Address
5 bis rue de Kerfeunteun, 29000 Quimper.
Dates
Four days in July. 2026 edition: July 23 to 26, 2026.
Prices
Many free events. Paid concerts starting from €6. Day passes and festival passes available.
Contact
Tel: 02 98 55 53 53 | Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Cornouaille
Centre historique de Quimper
5 bis rue de Kerfeunteun, 29000 Quimper