Festival
Festival de Cornouaille
Quimper · Finistère
The Festival de Cornouaille in Quimper: Breton dance, music, costumes and language. The 2026 edition was held from 20 to 26 July; the 2027 dates are still to come.
- Suggested time
- Half a day to a week
- Type of place
- Breton culture festival
- Atmosphere
- Festive, cultural and immersive, with an identity strongly linked to the place and the line-up
- Getting there
- Central Quimper; train station, city buses and park-and-ride car parks; walking recommended during the festival.
Who this place suits
- With family
- 7/10
- As a couple
- 8/10
- With friends
- 8/10
- Solo
- 9/10
- With a dog
- 2/10
- Reduced mobility
- 8/10
These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.
About
The Festival de Cornouaille is one of the great historic events of Breton culture. In Quimper, it combines passing on traditions, new creation, popular festivities and showcasing the local areas of Cornouaille. The town centre becomes a vast festival ground with stages, fest-noz dances, exhibitions, workshops, crafts, contests and events around Breton costume and dance. Dates, prices, programme, access and rules change every year. The 2026 edition is over: events began on 20 July, with the heart of the festival from 23 to 26 July.
What you will see
- A major Breton culture festival
- Many free events
- Breton dance and music
- Exhibitions on costume and heritage
- Events in the historic centre
- An identity strongly linked to Quimper.
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- A line-up centred on living Breton culture, dance, music, costume, the Breton language, crafts and contemporary creation.
- Big crowds possible: plan transport, accommodation and bookings ahead.
Practical information
- Address
- Quimper town centre
- Public transport
- Central Quimper; train station, city buses and park-and-ride car parks; walking recommended during the festival
- Pets
- Possible in some public spaces on a lead, but not in venues or very crowded areas; check each event
- Accessibility
- The town centre is generally accessible, with cobbles and crowds; venues depend on their facilities
- Best time
- Arrive early for the big moments and leave time for security checks, shuttles and moving between stages
Tips on the spot
- The 2026 edition was held from 20 to 26 July, with the heart of the festival from 23 to 26 July; the 2027 dates are still to come.
- Tickets: Many free events; some concerts, workshops and shows are paid.
- Check the official website just before you travel: times, bag checks, banned items and traffic plans can change.
- For a big festival, book accommodation and transport well in advance.
- Bring comfortable shoes, clothes for the weather, ear protection for loud concerts and a power bank.
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- If a cashless system is used, create and top up your account before you arrive.
- With children or teenagers, check the age and supervision rules and the recommended ear protection.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Festival de Cornouaille?
The 2026 edition was held from 20 to 26 July 2026, with the heart of the festival from 23 to 26 July. The 2027 dates are still to come.
Where does the Festival de Cornouaille take place?
Quimper town centre.
Is the festival free?
Much of the programme is open to all, with many free events; some concerts, workshops and shows are paid.
What style of festival is it?
Living Breton culture, dance, music, costume, the Breton language, crafts and contemporary creation.
How much time should I allow?
Half a day to a week, depending on your plans.
How do I get there?
Central Quimper; train station, city buses and park-and-ride car parks; walking recommended during the festival.
See also all the festivals in Finistère.
Stay in Quimper
Places to stay that are still available, with current prices, compared across the main booking platforms.
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Read in the journal
- ChristmasWhat to do in Quimper during the Christmas holidaysThe Christmas village on Place Terre-au-Duc, Christmas at the Château de Trévarez, Locronan lit up and the Breton museum: our ideas for the 2026 Christmas holidays in Quimper.
- SeasonWhat to do in Quimper during the All Saints’ holidaysThe Cathédrale Saint-Corentin, the old town, faience, the Halles Saint-François, Locronan and Concarneau: our ideas for the 2026 All Saints’ holidays in Quimper.
- City guideWhat to do in Quimper: the complete guideThe Cathédrale Saint-Corentin, the old town, the banks of the Odet, the Breton museum, Locronan and the Pointe du Raz: what to do in Quimper, the capital of Cornouaille.
Traveller reviews
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Photograph: Mouh2jijel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons