June
Reminiac. Arts and crafts. Not what you would expect. This is the art of sculpting on a grand scale. Using chain saws, vast tree trunks are transformed into works of art. You can watch the sculptures at work but stand well back as health and safety doesn't`t seem to be an issue here. Afterwards you can walk around Reminiac village following the `trail of the sculptures` through the woods. You`ll see all the creations of previous years works.

Guer. Ancient festival of work. See displays of the way it was done in the old days. Threshers and combines in action, barrel making, apple and cider pressing. We recommend you sample the cider, (it's amazing), crepes (pancakes) cooking on open fires, traditional dress and of course lots of food, wine and music.

Carrentoir. A festival of jazz music. The town is closed and the streets are full of musicians all competing to be heard. People from all walks of life are here playing, young to old.

July
Augan. Festival of the accordion. Really quite bizarre. The village green is filled with large open sided trailers decorated with bits of trees and plants. Then a succession of accordion players take it in turns to compete for the crowds vote on who was best. It all culminates in a large `feast` which you may or may not wish to stay for.

Reminiac. `Tour de Reminiac`. Four hours of cycle races. The French are serious about their bike races. This is the real thing. If you're interested and it’s a sunny day just find a pitch on the hedgerow, get out your baguette and bottle of wine, sit back and watch.

Reminiac. An evenings BBQ on the village green topped off by a hugefireworks display at midnight.

Treal. Classic car rally. There are numerous classic car events around and about all summer. The one in Treal is worth a look, with just about every type of classic on display. Some of them will take you out on short trips.

Josselin. The medieval festival is a must see. Josselin, which is a medieval town built around a huge turreted castle, is closed for the weekend and the past takes over. See the mock street battles, listen to the harpist in the castle square, watch the fire eaters stroll down the high street (below), or just sit back in a pavement café and watch one of the numerous processions.

Vannes. Weekend of jazz. Two whole days of street partying take over . All sorts of events are laid on in this most attractive of towns.

August onwards
Vieux Bourg. This event here takes to the extreme the concept that every village holds a fete. There are only three houses in the Vieux Bourg, nonetheless its an excuse for some fun.

Malestroit. The festival of light. Three days of music, lasers and fireworks. It takes place in the park hemmed in by the canal and the river in the town centre. Watch the fantastic displays as night falls.

Malestroit. The countryside show. A collection of countryside living. E.g. a variety of animals dogs, horses etc. Plenty of stalls selling country produce including food and clothing. Two whole days of demonstrations and shows

Carrentoir. Animal week. If you like animals then this is the place to go. The French seem oddly proud of their beasts from the lowliest mutt to the most disagreeable camel...each to their own.

St-Martin-sur Ouest.
This is a large fete set in the grounds of a chateau. It is a combination of a craft show where you can not only see how things are made (lady spinning wool below) but can also buy the end product. The whole event has a great atmosphere due to its dramatic setting and array of things to see and do. Its very popular with the French. Don`t forget to have a crepe cooked over an open fire (below).

St Nicholas de Tetre. Vide grenier (empty loft). Also known to us English as a car boot sale. Like in England there are loads of these throughout the area all summer. French lofts however are slightly different from English ones. Try and get to at least one. You don’t know what you might find.

Guer. The motor show. This is on a slightly smaller scale than the one in the UK but a bit more fun. You can touch and you can try. Fancy a trip on the back of a Harley?....no problem at all. However, if you really like looking at motorbikes then be here on the fifteenth of August (a public holiday in France). About 10 miles away there is the largest bikers `convention` in France. It`s for one day only and the bikes all tour some of the local towns in the afternoon. Anyone with a bike can join in on the ride and those without just watch. The whole route is absolutely packed with spectators and even if you`re not a biker it`s an impressive sight. Thousand upon thousands of bikes on display. They come through Reminiac for about two hours solid (see below photo). Needless to say its a very peaceful friendly event with all ages joining in.

Reminiac. Meeting of the hunters. A variety of sportsman get together to put on demonstrations and sell associated stuff.

Pelliac. Autumn Produce Fete (October). Pelliac hosts numerous fetes and fairs during the year. During mid-October the town is totally closed off to traffic and is filled with dozens of `stalls` offering local seasonal produce. Many old techniques of food and drink production are demonstrated -old bakers ovens are brought out onto the street, giant oak apple presses are put into action (fantastic apple juice). Great steel chestnut bins are turned over huge open fires giving off clouds of intoxicating smoke. Barbecues are lit, crepes are eaten, cider is drunk and traditional live music and dance are performed. To experience the atmosphere is a must.

The ones mentioned above are just a selection. There are loads of villages and towns around here and all of them have one, two or three fetes each year, all trying to outdo each other. I nearly forgot to mention the straw bale building competition. The dog below won it last year- it`s about thirty feet high and made only from straw.

Circuses
There`s always a circus or two touring around the local area in the summer. They are rather ad hoc affairs and set up in fields, supermarket car parks and even town centres. You ll see small boards tied to lampposts advertising the place and time. They are well worth a trip. See the clowns, jugglers, fire eaters and even the odd lion or two. Afterwards it`s often possible to pet some of the animals or go for a ride on a pony should you feel the urge.