The Lorient Interceltic Festival

As you walk along Jules-Ferry Park, you’re moving through the lively, welcoming, and festive heart of Lorient. Every August, the park and its surrounding streets are transformed into the center of the famous Lorient Interceltic Festival. After all, how could anyone talk about Lorient without mentioning its biggest celebration?

For ten days and ten nights, the entire city moves to the rhythm of this enormous festival, which brings together more than 5,000 artists from across the Celtic world. This is where the celebrated pavilions of the Celtic nations are set up. In just a few steps, you can travel from Brittany to Scotland, cross the sea to Ireland, Wales, and the Isle of Man, or head south toward Galicia, Asturias, and Cornwall.

Browse the craft markets, discover traditional instruments, and soak up the warm atmosphere of the festoù-noz, where people dance to the sound of a bagad. What’s that—you don’t know what a festoù-noz or a bagad is? Don’t admit that to a Breton, or you just might be banished from these lands.

A festoù-noz—or fest-noz in French—is a traditional Breton nighttime dance, where people form circles or processions and mainly perform partner dances. Both the dances and the costumes are recognized as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, so don’t miss the chance to experience one. A bagad is a Breton musical ensemble made up of bagpipes, bombardes, and drums.

Still having trouble picturing it? Then you’ll simply have to come back in August and experience the festival for yourself.