Musician and researcher Roland Becker traces the history of Brittany’s sonneurs through sound and visual archives. His lecture follows the developments that shaped Breton traditional music and the lives of its instrumentalists. Becker also serves on the scientific committee for Musée du Faouët’s exhibition on sonneurs as portrayed by artists.
Region: Brittany
La Harmoye Producers’ Market and Fest-Noz
Basket weaving, handmade toys and wild-plant tasting are among the workshops at La Harmoye’s producers’ market. The gathering concludes a biodiversity inventory at Vanessa Verger’s farm, connecting the programme with the surrounding living environment. A fest-noz follows the market, with Breton dancing, refreshments and wood-fired pizzas.
Jabadao – Les Arrangés Bretons Production Tour
Vincent introduces the origins and appeal of flavoured rum before explaining Jabadao – Les Arrangés Bretons’ own approach in Cavan. The tour examines the production process and a range of recipes drawing on local and exotic ingredients. Questions and an optional tasting round off the visit; participants must wear closed shoes and meet the minimum age requirement.
Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe
Saint-Malo welcomes the Route du Rhum fleet into its harbours before the race departs for Guadeloupe. Ultim, IMOCA, Class40, Ocean Fifty and vintage multihulls and monohulls gather at the quays, following a parade by part of the fleet. The starting village combines Breton and Guadeloupean celebrations, reflecting the Atlantic connection between the two regions.
Fest-Deiz in Plouguernével
Son an Dore, Kastelodenn, Alex and Gaby provide the music for Plouguernével’s fest-deiz. Danserien Bro An Doré is the association behind the gathering, organised with Son an Dore. A fest-deiz is a participatory form of Breton social dancing, with the musicians accompanying people together on the dance floor.
La Maison d’Armorine Salted Butter Caramel Tour
Salted butter caramel is the speciality at La Maison d’Armorine in Quiberon. Through the production workshop’s windows, the visit reveals the confectioners at work, carrying on recipes associated with Breton grandmothers. Caroline Audebert introduces the house’s sweet-making expertise, and a tasting lets the flavour follow the view of production.
Musée Sérusier Breton-Language Tour
Annaïck Loisel tells the story of Marguerite and Paul Sérusier in Breton. The guided visit follows both artists’ careers and explores their particular connections with Châteauneuf-du-Faou, the town whose museum bears their name. Art and regional language come together through the guide’s commentary, while the ticket also allows a return to the collections after the tour.
Journées du Patrimoine in Plougasnou
Stained glass, paintings, sculpture and goldsmiths’ work reveal the treasures of Saint-Pierre Church during Plougasnou’s heritage programme. A self-guided remembrance booklet traces the town’s wartime history. The visit to La Bretonne follows another coastal story: the heritage vessel carried passengers to Batz before transporting divers from Le Diben.
Musée du Ponant and Saint-Renan Heritage Tours
An exhibition devoted to Saint-Renan’s Petit Train accompanies the Musée du Ponant visit. Guided walks examine the remarkable houses around Place du Vieux Marché, including buildings protected as historic monuments. Other historic properties open specially for the occasion, including a house once occupied by the Breton bard Prosper Proux.
Ar Boutoù Nevez Breton Dance Classes
Ar Boutoù Nevez introduces Breton dancing in Roscoff through classes for newcomers. The association began with four friends at the bar de la Marine, where its first lessons took place on the pétanque ground. Its Breton name means ‘new shoe’, and its history includes appearances at Gouel Rosko and the Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff.