Les Celtiques de Guérande

From Breton Festivals to Les Celtiques de Guérande: Over 60 Years of Tradition

The history of Les Celtiques de Guérande dates back to 1963, when the Cercle Celtique Bro Gwenrann, founded in 1949, organized the first Fêtes Bretonnes on the first Saturdays of July and August. These festive days celebrate Breton culture through dance, music, and song in the heart of the fortified medieval city of Guérande, on the Guérande peninsula.

In 1991, in partnership with the City of Guérande and the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, the event took on a new dimension with the creation of the Festival Celtique. Then, in 2003 and 2004, the festival evolved to become the Festival Celtiques de Guérande, before adopting its current name: Les Celtiques de Guérande.

A Festival Driven by Passionate Volunteers

Les Celtiques de Guérande is entirely organized by volunteers from the Bro Gwenrann association. This Celtic circle, one of the oldest in Loire-Atlantique, preserves and passes on traditional Breton dances, songs, and music throughout the year. The festival is the highlight of this cultural mission, bringing together over 500 artists each year.

Three Days of Celtic Celebration Within the Ramparts

The festival takes place over three days in August within the exceptional setting of the walled city of Guérande. The program features several key highlights:

• Friday evening: Opening concert showcasing Celtic and world music
• Saturday: Breton dance workshops in the afternoon, followed by an apéro-concert and a grand fest-noz featuring the best bands from the Breton traditional scene
• Sunday: Morning song-walk, a grand parade of bagadoù and Celtic circles through the walled city in the afternoon, concerts and entertainment on the Boulevard du Nord, and the Sonerion competition

An Openness to Celtic Nations and Beyond

True to the spirit of inter-Celtic exchange, Les Celtiques de Guérande regularly hosts artists and groups from Galicia, Asturias, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Galician bandas de gaitas, Scottish pipe bands, and Irish musicians perform alongside Breton pipers and fest-noz groups in a festive and friendly atmosphere, making this festival a true crossroads of Celtic cultures.