Fête de la Paresse
Annual popular festival in rue Saint-Malo in Rennes, celebrating idleness since 1987
About Fête de la Paresse
The Fête de la Paresse (Festival of Idleness) is an annual popular festival that has been held since 1987 in rue Saint-Malo, in the heart of Rennes' historic center (Ille-et-Vilaine). Organized by the Association des commerçants de la rue de Saint-Malo (Association of Saint-Malo Street Merchants), it traditionally takes place every May 1st (or a nearby Sunday depending on the year) and offers, in a street made 100% pedestrian for the occasion, rock concerts, brass bands, children's entertainment, and about twenty food stalls with world cuisines. The event is entirely free and gathers between 6,000 and 9,000 visitors each year.
A festival born in 1987 in rue Saint-Malo
The Fête de la Paresse was created in 1987 by the owner of the bar La Bernique hurlante, located on rue Saint-Malo in Rennes. Conceived as a snub to May 1st and the traditional Labor Day, it instead proposes to celebrate idleness, nonchalance, and the art of taking one's time. Since its creation, it has become one of the emblematic events of the Rennes spring and a marker of the festive identity of rue Saint-Malo.
Rue Saint-Malo 100% pedestrian
For the occasion, rue de Saint-Malo — between Place Sainte-Anne and rue Legraverend — is entirely closed to traffic and secured. Merchants, restaurateurs, and bars set up stalls, terraces, stages, and play areas in the street, welcoming a family audience who come to have a drink, eat a galette-saucisse, listen to concerts, and enjoy the urban 'guinguette' atmosphere.
Program and entertainment
The musical program traditionally features groups from the Rennes scene — rock, punk, electro, festive songs — spread across several stages set up in front of partner bars and restaurants. This program is complemented by a roaming brass band, children's games, and a family audience. On the food side, about twenty establishments offer Lebanese, Ethiopian, Creole, Asian, seafood, and Breton specialties, in the cosmopolitan spirit characteristic of the street.
The organizing association
The festival is organized by the Association des commerçants de la rue de Saint-Malo, which brings together about thirty bars, restaurants, and shops. The association is notably led by Sophie (Black Bear), Sébastien Blot (Café des Jacobins), Bruno (La Trinquette / Mondo Bizarro), Thierry (Bar de la Plage), and several other local merchants.
A free and popular event
Admission is free. The Fête de la Paresse gathers between 6,000 and 9,000 visitors each year, and is one of the highlights of the Rennes spring.
Fête de la Paresse — edition 2026
The 38th edition of the Fête de la Paresse was held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 11 AM to 9 PM, on rue de Saint-Malo in Rennes. For this edition, exceptionally moved to the Sunday of the long weekend (instead of the usual May 1st), rue Saint-Malo was entirely pedestrianized and hosted rock concerts, a brass band, children's games, and about twenty food stalls run by local merchants.
38th Edition — Sunday, May 3, 2026
The 38th Fête de la Paresse took place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 11 AM to 9 PM, on rue de Saint-Malo in Rennes. Exceptionally moved to the Sunday of the long May weekend (instead of the traditional May 1st date), this edition benefited from a full-day format to bring together regulars of the street and a large family audience.
A 100% Pedestrian Street
For the occasion, rue de Saint-Malo was closed to traffic and secured, becoming entirely pedestrian between Place Sainte-Anne and rue Legraverend. Merchants, bars, and restaurants set up stalls, terraces, and concert areas in the street, transforming the thoroughfare into a true urban open-air cafe.
Program and Entertainment
On the program: three rock concerts on stages set up in front of partner bars, a strolling brass band, children's games, parades, and street performances. About twenty food stalls offered Lebanese, Ethiopian, Creole, Asian, seafood, and Breton cuisines, faithful to the cosmopolitan identity of the street.
A Completely Free Festival
Access to concerts and entertainment was free and open. Only food and drink stalls were to be paid for on site.
Highlights Fête de la Paresse 2026
- 38th edition organized on Sunday, May 3, 2026 (moved from the usual May 1st to take advantage of the long weekend)
- Rue de Saint-Malo entirely pedestrianized from 11 AM to 9 PM
- Program: 3 rock concerts, strolling brass band, children's games, street performances
- About twenty food stalls (world cuisines and Breton specialties)
- Free and open entry
- Usual attendance: 6,000 to 9,000 visitors
Prices Fête de la Paresse 2026
Practical information — Fête de la Paresse
Practical Information
Location
Rue de Saint-Malo, between Place Sainte-Anne and rue Legraverend, Rennes (35000), Ille-et-Vilaine.
Access
Metro: Sainte-Anne station (line A), 2 minutes walk. Bus: lines serving Sainte-Anne. The street is made 100% pedestrian on the day of the event.
Prices
Free admission for all concerts and entertainment. Food and drinks to be paid for at the stalls run by the street's merchants.
Usual hours
The festival generally takes place from 11 AM to 9 PM.
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Where does it take place — Fête de la Paresse
Rue de Saint-Malo
Rue de Saint-Malo, 35000 Rennes, 35000 Rennes