Fête des Lavoirs
Popular festival on August 15th celebrating the heritage of Pontrieux's washhouses
About Fête des Lavoirs
August 15th in Pontrieux: Breton heritage and folklore
The Fête des Lavoirs is held every August 15th in Pontrieux, a Petite Cité de Caractère in the Côtes-d'Armor known for its fifty washhouses along the Trieux river. For over thirty editions, this free popular festival has celebrated this unique heritage in Brittany through a festive program combining music, dance, and traditions.
A unique washhouse heritage in France
Pontrieux boasts an exceptional washhouse heritage. Originally, the town had five public washhouses, but wealthy merchants and notables, not wanting their laundry washed in public, had their own private washhouses built, protected by stone walls on the banks of the Trieux. The architecture of these washhouses is unique: unlike traditional washhouses, they do not have a surface for beating laundry in front of oneself.
Bagads, costume parade, and Breton dances
The Fête des Lavoirs offers a festive program centered on Breton folklore: bagads (Breton music ensembles with bombards, bagpipes, and drums), a grand costume parade at 3:30 PM through the town's streets, Breton dance demonstrations and initiations, and concerts of traditional and contemporary music.
Concerts, songs, and fireworks
The day continues into the evening with free concerts and a grand fireworks display that illuminates the Trieux river. On-site catering—galettes, crêpes, sausages, merguez, and fries—allows visitors to fully enjoy this festive day.
Fête des Lavoirs — edition 2026
34th edition of the Pontrieux Washhouses Festival, on August 14th and 15th, 2026. The event now takes place over two days: a paid concert evening on Friday, August 14th (Manau, Billy Ze Kick, LADS) and the traditional free Breton and Celtic day on Saturday, August 15th, with bagads, a costumed parade, Breton dances, and a fireworks display celebrating the heritage of the washhouses.
34th Edition of the Washhouses Festival
The 34th edition of the Fête des Lavoirs will be held on August 14th and 15th, 2026 in Pontrieux, in Côtes-d'Armor. For 2026, the festival will span two days.
Friday, August 14th: a paid concert evening kicks off the festivities. Doors open at 6 PM, first concert at 7 PM, featuring Manau, Billy Ze Kick, and LADS. On-site catering (food trucks).
Saturday, August 15th: the grand Breton and Celtic day, free and open to all, starts at 10 AM and concludes with a fireworks display. On the program: bagads, a costumed parade, Breton dances, Celtic and Irish music groups. Traditional on-site catering (galettes, crêpes, sausages, merguez, fries).
As parking will be heavily disrupted during the festival, organizers recommend coming by train (TER from Paimpol or Guingamp). The detailed program is published on the official website fetedeslavoirs.bzh.
Programme Fête des Lavoirs 2026
Friday, August 14th, 2026 — Concert evening (paid)
- 6:00 PM — Doors open
- 7:00 PM — First concert
- Manau
- Billy Ze Kick
- LADS
Saturday, August 15th, 2026 — Breton and Celtic day (free)
- From 10:00 AM — All-day entertainment: bagads, costumed parade, Breton dances
- Bagad de Guingamp
- Sant Brieg & District Pipe Band
- Owen's Friends
- Ivy Bush
- And other Breton, Celtic, and Irish music groups
- In the evening — Closing fireworks display
Highlights Fête des Lavoirs 2026
- 34th edition of an emblematic festival of Breton heritage
- Concert evening on August 14th: Manau, Billy Ze Kick, LADS
- Free Breton and Celtic day on August 15th: bagads, costumed parade, dances
- Closing fireworks display
- Traditional on-site catering (galettes, crêpes)
Prices Fête des Lavoirs 2026
Practical information — Fête des Lavoirs
Practical Information
Access
The festival takes place in the town center of Pontrieux, 22260.
- By car: Pontrieux is located 20 km southwest of Paimpol and 15 km south of Tréguier, accessible via the D787.
- By train: Guingamp SNCF station (20 km away), then by car.
Timetables
- Activities throughout the day on August 15th.
- Grand costume parade at 3:30 PM.
Prices
- Free entry
Contact
- Phone: 02 96 95 14 03
- Website: fetedeslavoirs.bzh
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Where does it take place — Fête des Lavoirs
Centre-ville de Pontrieux
Place de la Liberté, 22260 Pontrieux, 22260 Pontrieux