Vilaine en Fête
Biennial gathering of traditional boats and nautical festival along the Vilaine, from Pénestin to Redon
About Vilaine en Fête
Vilaine en Fête is a large biennial gathering of traditional boats and a nautical festival that enlivens the Vilaine for a week in May (even years), from Pénestin to Redon. A flotilla of about 140 traditional boats and old rigs sails up the river, stopping at about ten ports in twelve riverside communes. At each stop, free evening entertainment is offered: concerts, fest-noz, sea shanties, exhibitions, tastings of local products, and fireworks. A unifying event that celebrates Breton maritime and river heritage, supported by the Vilaine en Fête association (president Marc Renault).
A Nautical Adventure along the Vilaine
Vilaine en Fête is a unique nautical and festive event in Brittany, organized every two years (even years) in May. For nearly a week, a flotilla of about 140 traditional boats and old rigs sails up the Vilaine from Pénestin to Redon, traversing this emblematic river of southern Brittany. The boats stop at several riverside ports, each transformed into a festive port for the occasion.
About Ten Stops, as Many Celebrations
The boats successively stop at the ports of Pénestin (port de Tréhiguier), Camoël (port d'Arzal-Camoël, Camoël bank), Arzal (Arzal bank), Férel (l'Isle), Marzan (Anse aux Boucauds), La Roche-Bernard, Béganne (port de Folleux), Saint-Dolay (port de Cran), Fégréac (écluse des Bellions) and Redon (Croix des Marins). At each stop, the communes welcome the flotilla with free entertainment: concerts, fest-noz, sea shanties, exhibitions, accompanying regattas, tastings of local products, and fireworks.
A Living Maritime and River Heritage
Vilaine en Fête is above all a celebration of Breton maritime and river heritage. The participating boats are traditional vessels restored and maintained by navigation enthusiasts: sailboats, dinghies, sloops, sinagots, and other wooden hulls. The gathering helps keep this naval heritage alive and transmits the know-how of traditional shipbuilding to new generations.
Competitions and Meetings
Beyond the festive stops, Vilaine en Fête offers accompanying regattas, sea shanty competitions, and meetings between navigators. Crew competitions add a sporting dimension to the event, while shared meals and musical evenings strengthen the bonds between participants and riverside residents.
A Unifying Event for the Region
Vilaine en Fête mobilizes hundreds of volunteers in the twelve participating communes. The event contributes to the tourist and cultural influence of the Vilaine valley, attracting thousands of visitors throughout the week. It is a moment of conviviality and sharing that unites the inhabitants of the Vilaine's banks around their river and their common heritage.
Vilaine en Fête — edition 2026
Vilaine en Fête 2026, from May 10 to 17: 7th edition of this biennial gathering of traditional boats and nautical festival along the Vilaine, from Pénestin to Redon. A flotilla of approximately 140 traditional boats and old rigs sailed up the river, stopping at ten riverside ports, with concerts, fest-noz, sea shanties, exhibitions, tastings, and fireworks at each stop. All onshore activities were free.
7th edition of Vilaine en Fête, May 10 to 17, 2026
The 7th edition of Vilaine en Fête took place from Sunday, May 10 to Sunday, May 17, 2026, true to its biennial schedule in even-numbered years. Nearly 140 traditional boats and old rigs sailed together on the Vilaine, from Pénestin to Redon, stopping at about ten ports spread across twelve riverside communes: Pénestin (Tréhiguier), Camoël, Arzal, Férel, Marzan, La Roche-Bernard, Béganne, Saint-Dolay, Fégréac, and Redon.
Six musical evenings at the stopover ports
Each evening, the stopover port transformed into a festive venue open to the public, with musical entertainment programmed by the association: sea shanties, folk rock, traditional fest-noz, jazz, swing, pop-rock, soul... All onshore activities were free. Food stalls showcased local products (Pénestin oysters, galettes, seafood) and fireworks punctuated some evenings, notably in Béganne on Friday, May 15.
An organization driven by volunteers
Like every edition, Vilaine en Fête 2026 mobilized several hundred volunteers in the twelve participating communes, coordinated by the Vilaine en Fête association (chaired by Marc Renault, based in La Roche-Bernard). A sea shanty competition between crews was held in Béganne on Friday, May 15.
Next edition
As Vilaine en Fête is a biennial event (even-numbered years), the 8th edition is expected in May 2028, again from Pénestin to Redon.
Programme Vilaine en Fête 2026
Sunday, May 10, 2026 — La Roche-Bernard
- Welcome of the flotilla and validation of boat and crew registrations at the port of La Roche-Bernard.
Monday, May 11, 2026 — Camoël (port of Arzal-Camoël, Camoël bank)
- Navigation from La Roche-Bernard to the port of Arzal-Camoël (Camoël bank).
- Evening: sea shanties and original folk rock.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 — Pénestin (Tréhiguier) then La Roche-Bernard
- Noon: stopover in Tréhiguier (Pénestin) — entertainment, visits to the Maison de la Mytiliculture, oyster tastings.
- Evening: return to La Roche-Bernard with lock passage — Irish songs and pop-rock covers.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — Marzan then Arzal (port of Arzal-Camoël, Arzal bank)
- Noon: stopover in Marzan (Anse aux Boucauds).
- Evening: grand traditional Breton Fest-Noz at the port of Arzal-Camoël (Arzal bank).
Thursday, May 14, 2026 — Saint-Dolay then Redon (Croix des Marins)
- Noon: stopover in Saint-Dolay (port of Cran).
- Evening in Redon (Croix des Marins):
- 6:30 PM — Strandhugg (maritime show about ports and marine heritage).
- 9:00 PM — Les Épines de Mymi Rose (French song with swing, jazz, and tango influences).
- 11:00 PM — Les Types à Pied (Breton-inspired quartet).
Friday, May 15, 2026 — Fégréac then Béganne (port of Folleux)
- Noon: stopover in Fégréac (Bellions lock).
- Evening in Béganne (port of Folleux):
- ~5:30 PM — Sea shanty competition between crews.
- 7:00 PM — Nordet (musical journey around the world's ports).
- 9:15 PM — Jaya (keyboards, guitar, female vocals, nostalgic arrangements).
- 11:15 PM — Fireworks.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 — La Roche-Bernard
- Entertainment on the quays and at the harbor master's office: strolling guinguette on the port, followed by folk-rock, funk, pop, and soul concerts.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 — La Roche-Bernard
- Closing of the edition in La Roche-Bernard.
Highlights Vilaine en Fête 2026
- 7th edition of Vilaine en Fête, May 10 to 17, 2026, from Pénestin to Redon
- Approximately 140 traditional boats and old rigs sailing on the Vilaine
- 10 festive stopovers in 12 riverside communes
- Free musical evenings: sea shanties, fest-noz, folk rock, jazz, swing, pop-rock, soul
- Grand traditional Breton Fest-Noz in Arzal (Wednesday, May 13)
- Sea shanty competition between crews in Béganne (Friday, May 15)
- Fireworks in Béganne (Friday, May 15, 11:15 PM)
- All onshore activities free
Prices Vilaine en Fête 2026
Practical information — Vilaine en Fête
Access to Stops
By Car
The riverside communes of the Vilaine are accessible from the N165 (Vannes-Nantes axis) and the D34. Pénestin is located approximately 30 minutes from Vannes and 1 hour from Nantes. La Roche-Bernard, the central point of the organization, is 10 minutes from the N165. Free parking is available near each port of call.
By Public Transport
The nearest SNCF train stations are Redon (TER and TGV) and Vannes. Departmental bus lines (BreizhGo) serve several communes along the route.
Stopover Program
Each stopover commune organizes its own entertainment: concerts, fest-noz, sea shanties, exhibitions, tastings, fireworks. The detailed program is published on the official website vilaineenfete.fr before each edition, as well as on the association's Facebook page.
Prices
All onshore activities are free. Access to ports and festive areas is free. Only food and drinks are chargeable.
Catering
Each stopover offers food stalls highlighting local products: Pénestin oysters, galettes, crêpes, seafood, Breton cider. Bars and refreshment stands accompany the festive evenings.
Accommodation
The Vilaine valley offers numerous accommodations: hotels, campsites, bed and breakfasts, and gîtes distributed between Pénestin, Arzal, La Roche-Bernard, and Redon. Advance booking is recommended for the festival period.
Contact
Website: vilaineenfete.fr
Email: [email protected]
Association Vilaine en Fête, Mairie de la Roche-Bernard, Place Louis Levesque, 56130 La Roche-Bernard
Facebook: facebook.com/vilaineenfete
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Where does it take place — Vilaine en Fête
De Pénestin à Redon, le long de la Vilaine
Mairie de la Roche-Bernard, Place Louis Levesque, 56130 La Roche-Bernard (siège de l'association). Port de Tréhiguier à Pénestin pour l'escale du Morbihan sud., 56760 Pénestin