La Dérobée

An emblematic processional dance from Trégor

La Dérobée de Guingamp is a Breton processional dance that originated in the 19th century. Very popular throughout the Trégor region, it has become the symbol of the Festival de la Saint-Loup, the largest Breton dance festival in France, held in Guingamp for over seventy years. The principle of La Dérobée is based on a danced game: the male dancers "steal" the female dancer of their choice from her partner, creating a lively and joyful choreography that winds through the streets of the medieval town.

The Challenge Dérobée

The Challenge Dérobée is a competition that takes place on the Saturday of the festival in rue Notre-Dame. Sixteen Celtic circles compete to win the trophy for the most beautiful Dérobée of Guingamp of the year. The jury evaluates the quality of the dance, the group's cohesion, the costumes, and the participants' communicative energy. Accompanied by the bagadoù (Breton pipe bands), the dancing couples parade proudly through the streets of this charming medieval town, dancing La Dérobée.

The final Dérobée on Sunday

On Sunday evening, the final Dérobée concludes the Festival de la Saint-Loup in a moment of communion between dancers and the public. The Celtic circles invite all spectators to join them to share their enthusiasm and dance La Dérobée together in the streets of Guingamp. This convivial moment is the highlight of the festival and an unforgettable memory for all participants.

A living heritage

While La Dérobée has been somewhat neglected in modern festoù-noz (Breton folk dance gatherings) outside of the Saint-Loup festival, it remains a very popular dance at the Guingamp festival. The Kenleur confederation and the organizing committee of the Festival de la Saint-Loup work to preserve and transmit this choreographic tradition, which is an integral part of the cultural identity of Guingamp and Trégor.