From a highline contest above Lassay's medieval towers to Le Mans' nightly light trail: ten events and festivals in Pays de la Loire this August 8-9, 2026 weekend.
Events and festivals fill the August 8-9, 2026 weekend in Pays de la Loire, from medieval reenactments in Mayenne to nightly light trails in Le Mans. Our pick of the weekend is the Tournoi des Sangles, where highline athletes cross the towers of Lassay's medieval castle more than twenty metres above the moat. Fancy a free open-air art trail instead, or a century-old horse show? Here are ten events worth the detour, from Nantes to Craon, for the 08-09/08/2026 weekend.
Les Celtiques de Guérande: over 500 performers in the walled town
Running since 1963 and organised by the Cercle Celtique Bro Gwenrann, this event fills the streets of Guérande's Boulevard du Nord from August 7 to 9, 2026. More than 500 performers from Brittany, Galicia, Asturias and other Celtic nations bring traditional song, dance and music to the medieval ramparts. It's one of the longest-running Celtic festivals in western France and one of the few to mix so many nationalities on a single bill. Full schedule on the festival's page.
Le Voyage à Nantes: the green line stays open all weekend
Since 2012, Le Voyage à Nantes has turned the city into an open-air museum every summer. A green line painted across more than 16 kilometres of streets guides visitors past contemporary artworks, monumental installations and heritage sites. The trail runs without booking through September 6, including this August 8-9 weekend. It's a self-paced way to see Nantes on foot or by bike. Full route on the event page.
Festival Herbe Bleue: bluegrass and cajun music in Clefs
Unique in France, this festival launched in 2019 sets up open-air concerts at the Cour du Liège in Clefs (Baugé-en-Anjou) from August 6 to 9, 2026. Bluegrass, old-time and cajun music meet traditional dances, instrument workshops and open jam sessions. A talent contest gives newcomers to the genre a stage rarely found in France, and the event stays family-friendly and rooted in its rural setting. Details on the festival page.
Les Féodales de Clairbois: the monthly reenactment lands on this exact weekend
Every second weekend of the month from April to August, the Domaine de Clairbois in Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes recreates life on a fortified 13th-century farm. The season's final date falls precisely on August 8-9, 2026. Encampments, equestrian games, historical scenes and medieval crafts fill the two days, run by the association La Mesnie de la Ferté-Clairbois. Practical details on the festival page.
Festival de l'Arbre Bavard: emerging companies at the Crapa leisure site
Created in 2021 by actress Alisma Boulay, this outdoor performing-arts festival takes over the Crapa leisure site in Andouillé from August 7 to 9, 2026. About ten short shows of theatre, circus, dance, puppetry and storytelling are on the bill, deliberately favouring emerging companies over headliners. Its compact three-day format makes it an easy addition to a busy weekend. Full programme on the festival page.
Mayenne Liberty Festival: a 1944 American camp rebuilt in Craon
For three days, from August 7 to 9, 2026, more than 120 re-enactors and around forty period American military vehicles recreate a 1944 camp in Craon. Parades, live demonstrations and a 1940s-style dance complete this living-history event in southern Mayenne. The level of detail in costumes and vehicles draws a crowd well beyond military history buffs. Schedule on the event page.
Tournoi des Sangles: highline lines go up at Lassay Castle from Sunday
Starting August 9 and running for a week, the towers of the 15th-century Château de Lassay, in Lassay-les-Châteaux, anchor a series of highline slacklines. Run by the company Houle Douce, the event brings together world-class athletes performing dozens of metres above the moat. The mix of medieval heritage and extreme sport has no real equivalent elsewhere in the region. Performance times on the tournament page.
La Nuit des Chimères: Le Mans' old town lights up every night of summer
Since 2005, this free light trail has illuminated the Gallo-Roman wall, Saint-Julien cathedral and medieval façades of the Cité Plantagenêt every evening from July to September. Video projections and photographic portraits tucked into the alleyways make for a self-timed night walk, available on this August 8-9 weekend as on any other. Trail map on the event page.
Festival Photo à Ciel Ouvert: the salt marshes become a gallery
In L'Île-d'Olonne, the association L'Œil and its 25 volunteers install a 1.5-kilometre trail of large-format photographs each year, from June to November, across walls, façades and paths leading to the salt marshes. The free exhibition stays up this August 8-9 weekend as it does all summer. Trail details on the event page.
Fête du Cheval de Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits: a full contest on Sunday, August 9
Since 1962, the Château du Bois Lambert has hosted this horse-themed day every summer, this year on Sunday, August 9, 2026. A regional-level eventing competition, a Saint-Hubert mass with hunting horns, and equestrian shows in the arena bring together enthusiasts and families for a single day. Full programme on the event page.
Between medieval heritage, contemporary art and extreme sport, this 08-09/08/2026 weekend in Pays de la Loire offers plenty of variety, and most of it is free to attend. For more events elsewhere in France, check the full weekend agenda.
