Les Celtiques de Guérande
Breton and Celtic culture festival in the heart of the medieval town of Guérande
About Les Celtiques
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.
Les Celtiques — edition 2026
The Celtiques de Guérande return from Friday, August 7th to Sunday, August 9th, 2026, in the walled city of Guérande. Three days of celebration centered around Breton and Celtic culture: concerts, fest-noz, a grand parade of Celtic circles and bagadoù within the ramparts, Breton dances, traditional games, and exhibitions.
2026 Edition — August 7th to 9th
The Celtiques de Guérande 2026 will take place from Friday, August 7th to Sunday, August 9th in the medieval city of Guérande. Organized by the Cercle Celtique Bro Gwenrann, the festival will animate the heart of the ramparts for three days with music, songs, and dances from Brittany and Celtic countries.
As every year, the program will feature concerts, a fest-noz on Saturday evening, a grand parade of Celtic circles and bagadoù in the walled city on Sunday, introductions to Breton dances, traditional games, exhibitions, and entertainment on the Boulevard du Nord. On Sunday, a singing walk and a parade starting from Boulevard du Nord (around 2:30 PM) will cross the city.
The detailed artistic program (headliners for Friday and Saturday) will be gradually unveiled on the official festival website during spring and summer 2026.
Programme Les Celtiques 2026
Friday, August 7th — Opening night (Boulevard du Nord)
- Tribal Jâze
- Ronan Le Gourierec & Gweltaz Hervé
- Bagad Saint-Nazaire
Saturday, August 8th — Dance workshops, pre-concert drinks, and fest-noz
Breton dance workshops with the Bro Gwenrann circle, followed by a fest-noz featuring:
- Annie Ebrel Quartet
- Enneade
- Modkozmik
- Tobie / Goudedranche
- Trimaud / Belliard
Sunday, August 9th — The big folk celebration in the walled city
- "From the Guérande hills to the White Country" singing walk in the morning
- Sonerion 44 competition and concert with drinks
- Grand parade at 2:30 PM through the fortified city
- Afternoon performances: Les Veuzous de la Presqu'île, the Bro Gwenrann Celtic circle, circles from Guingamp, Vannes, and Guérande-Malville, the Saint-Brieuc Pipe band, and groups from Asturias
Program confirmed by the organizers and regional press (June 2026). Full schedule details are available on the official festival website.
Highlights Les Celtiques 2026
- Fest-noz on Saturday night
- Grand parade of Celtic circles and bagadoù through the walled city (Sunday)
- Singing walk through the medieval town
- Sonerion 44 competition and pipe band
- Traditional Breton games, exhibitions, and activities
Prices Les Celtiques 2026
Practical information — Les Celtiques
Practical Information
Access
The festival takes place in the walled city of Guérande and on the Boulevard du Nord, at the foot of the medieval ramparts.
- By car: Guérande is located 80 km from Nantes via the N171/D213. Parking available near the ramparts.
- By train: La Baule-Escoublac SNCF station (8 km), then bus or taxi to Guérande.
Festival Venues
Events are spread across the Boulevard du Nord (stages, concerts, entertainment), Porte Saint-Michel, the Espace Culturel Athanor, and the Collégiale Saint-Aubin for the organ and bombarde concert.
Indicative Prices
- Friday (concert): €15 — Free for under 16s
- Saturday apéro-concert (6:30 PM - 7:30 PM): €5 — Free for under 16s
- Saturday fest-noz (from 7:30 PM): €8 — Free for under 16s
- 2-day pass (Friday + Saturday): €18 (instead of €20, on sale Friday evening)
- Sunday (parade, entertainment, concerts): Free
- Sunday Collégiale concert: Free entry, hat collection
- Singing walk: €4 — Free for under 14s
Tickets available on-site only, no online sales.
Food & Drink
Bar, food, and crêperie on the festival site.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 02 40 24 90 10
- Official Website: lesceltiquesdeguerande.bzh
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Where does it take place — Les Celtiques
Ville close de Guérande — Boulevard du Nord
Boulevard du Nord, 44350 Guérande