Vilaine en Fête
Maritime festival of old rigs on the lower Vilaine
About Vilaine en Fête
Vilaine en Fête
Vilaine en Fête is a biennial maritime and river festival that takes place on the lower Vilaine, from Pénestin (Morbihan) to Redon (Ille-et-Vilaine), passing through Morbihan and Loire-Atlantique. Organized by the Association Vilaine en Fête, it gathers a flotilla of approximately 120 to 140 traditional boats and old rigs that peacefully descend the river over the course of a week.
A flotilla from stopover to stopover
The event is organized around a dozen riverside towns transformed into festive ports for the duration of the event, including La Roche-Bernard, Camoël, Arzal, Pénestin (Tréhiguier), Béganne (port de Folleux), Saint-Dolay, Fégréac and Redon. At each stopover, the quays come alive with markets, music, fest-noz, sea shanties and local flavors, in a friendly and family atmosphere.
A free and popular event
All onshore activities are free. The event highlights the expertise of sailors, marine carpenters and enthusiasts who keep this heritage alive, and invites souvenir hunters, families and boat lovers to come and admire the flotilla along the banks.
Information and program
The detailed stopover-by-stopover program is published on the official website vilaineenfete.fr and on the association's Facebook page.
Vilaine en Fête — edition 2026
7th edition of Vilaine en Fête, from May 10th to 17th, 2026: a flotilla of approximately 120 to 140 traditional boats and tall ships sails down the lower Vilaine, from Pénestin to Redon, with festive and free stopovers in a dozen riverside communes.
Vilaine en Fête — 2026 Edition
For its 7th edition, Vilaine en Fête returns from May 10th to 17th, 2026 on the lower Vilaine. A flotilla of traditional boats and tall ships sails along the water, from Pénestin (56) to Redon (35), stopping in a dozen riverside communes, each transformed into a festive port.
At each stop, the quays come alive with crew welcomes, markets, fest-noz, sea shanties, and concerts. All onshore activities are free, in a family atmosphere celebrating Breton culture and the maritime and river heritage of the Vilaine.
Programme Vilaine en Fête 2026
The flotilla stops in a different commune each day. Official program by stopover (2026 edition, May 10th to 17th):
- Sunday, May 10th — La Roche-Bernard: validation of boat and crew registrations, welcome of the flotilla.
- Monday, May 11th — Camoël: sea shanties and folk-rock evening.
- Tuesday, May 12th — Pénestin (Tréhiguier) in the middle of the day, then La Roche-Bernard in the evening (Irish songs and pop-rock covers).
- Wednesday, May 13th — Arzal: big traditional fest-noz in the evening.
- Thursday, May 14th — Saint-Dolay (Pont de Cran) in the middle of the day, then Redon in the evening (sea shanties, jazz, swing, traditional music).
- Friday, May 15th — Fégréac (Bellions lock) in the middle of the day, then Béganne (Folleux port) in the evening (sea shanties and French variety covers).
- Closing Weekend — La Roche-Bernard: waterside guinguette (folk-rock, funk, pop, soul).
Detailed program and schedules on the official website vilaineenfete.fr/programme.
Highlights Vilaine en Fête 2026
- Flotilla of approximately 120 to 140 traditional boats and tall ships
- Descent of the lower Vilaine, from Pénestin to Redon, over one week
- Festive stopovers in a dozen riverside communes (La Roche-Bernard, Camoël, Arzal, Béganne, Saint-Dolay, Fégréac, Redon…)
- Completely free onshore activities: markets, fest-noz, sea shanties, concerts
Prices Vilaine en Fête 2026
Practical information — Vilaine en Fête
Practical Information
Location
Lower Vilaine valley, from Pénestin (56) to Redon (35), with stopovers in about a dozen communes (La Roche-Bernard, Camoël, Arzal, Béganne, Saint-Dolay, Fégréac, etc.). The port of La Roche-Bernard serves as the starting point.
Access
Each stopover has its own reception point along the quays. Consult the official program to find out which commune is hosting the flotilla each day.
Prices
Onshore activities are entirely free.
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Where does it take place — Vilaine en Fête
Vallée de la Vilaine — ports de La Roche-Bernard à Redon
Port de La Roche-Bernard, 56130 La Roche-Bernard, 56130 La Roche-Bernard