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Immerse yourself in Breton cultureLe Printemps des Sonneurs

The Printemps des Sonneurs in Lannion: an immersion in the soul of Brittany

Can you hear the first notes of the bombarde? No doubt about it, the Printemps des Sonneurs is just around the corner!
Every May, Lannion’s heart beats to the rhythm of the biniou, the gavotte and the laughter. More than just a festival, it’s an open-air extravaganza, an invitation to join in the excitement of living Brittany: its music, its traditions… and its sacred sense of celebration.

A weekend of Breton culture

For a weekend, Lannion – a Town of Art and History on the Pink Granite Coast – is transformed into an open-air Breton stage.
No fences, no giant stage: everything takes place in the street, between the timber-framed houses, in the cobbled lanes.

The Printemps des Sonneurs is :

Parades of bagadoù and Celtic circles
Free introductions to Breton dances (don’t panic, we’ll explain everything)
Acoustic concerts throughout the town
Musical lunches to enjoy on the go or on the terrace

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A plunge into traditions… with a nod to legends

This festival is a bit like leafing through an old Breton grimoire… but live and with rhythm!
Every melody, every costume, every dance step is a way of passing on a living memory. Far from being folklore in stone, you can feel the energy of traditions that continue to evolve, carried on by enthusiasts – young and old alike.
And between two songs, if you keep your ears open:
You’re sure to hear talk of mischievous korrigans, the dance of the night washerwomen, or even the Ankou, that strange black figure that some people claim to have seen near Trégor…

Did you know?

Fest-noz, the Breton night-time festival where people dance in a circle until the early hours of the morning, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Printemps des Sonneurs is a joyous daytime version… but just as lively!

Lannion and the surrounding area: music from the past and landscapes from the present

Make the most of this weekend to explore the wonders of Lannion and the surrounding area. Between two gavottes, treat yourself to a walk along the coastal paths, a sunset over the chaos of pink granite, or a break in a small port in the Trégor region.

Don’t miss

The cobbled streets of Lannion’s historic centre
The customs officers’ trail from the Lézardrieux peninsula to Plestin-les-Grèves, via Tréguier, the Gouffre site at Plougrescant, Trébeurden and Lannion!
Visit the local markets for a hot crêpe (with salted butter, of course!)

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Why come to Printemps des Sonneurs?

Because you want to :

Experience a moment of sharing and joy under the open sky
Discover (or rediscover) a vibrant Breton culture
Try your hand at Breton dancing in good spirits
Explore the Pink Granite Coast in a new light
Support an event that promotes local heritage

The perfect festival-goer’s glossary

Sonneur: musician playing the bombard, biniou kozh or other type of bagpipes
Bagad: Breton musical group playing the bombard, biniou and percussion instruments
Cercle celtique: group of dancers in traditional costume
Fest-noz: Breton dance evening where everyone is invited to join in.
Bombarde: Powerful, high-pitched wind instrument (bring earplugs if you’re sensitive!)
Biniou: Breton bagpipes, the bombard’s best friend.

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A story that’s growing strong

It all began in 2019. A handful of enthusiasts – pipers, musicians, dancers, lovers of the Trégor region – wanted to bring Breton music to the streets of Lannion. It was a slightly crazy gamble, but one driven by the desire to bring our heritage to life in the present.

And the public responded. In 2022, despite the drizzle, the town was jubilant. And in 2023? More than 10,000 people came from all over to dance, listen and marvel. Bagadoùs, Celtic circles, tunes that are still stuck in your head three days later. All carried by a popular and joyful energy.

A festival on a human scale (and with a lot of heat)

Behind the notes, there are faces. The faces of the volunteers, whistling as they set up the stalls. Those of the old-timers, whispering an anecdote between two dances. And those of the youngsters, their eyes wide open as they discover that the bombarde “really hits the spot”.

It’s this collective spirit, this taste for sharing, that gives the Printemps des Sonneurs its unique charm.

Here, the essential is cultivated: music, encounters, and that little thrill when the biniou echoes through the cobbled streets.

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An experience

100% Breizh

every year

A weekend that sets the tone!

Every May, Lannion becomes an open-air stage for Breton culture. With its frenzied dancing, traditional music and festive atmosphere, the Printemps des Sonneurs promises to be a warm and decibel-filled event!

Lannion is ringing in the spring!

On the evening ofSaturday 23 May, on the Quai d’Aiguillon, you can warm up your legs with an introductory dance, before listening to the sounds of the Bagadoù Then? Fest-noz under the stars.

From 10.30am onSunday 24 May, the town centre will be abuzz with activity:

Colourful and musical parade (clap your hands!)
Meal with brass band
Street theatre
Introduction to dance
Celtic circles, bagadoù and fest-deiz

It’s lively, it’s vibrant, it’s open-air and open-hearted. And for the curious? A craft market all weekend long. Feeling hungry? Galettes, cider and local sweets will be on offer.
In short, a weekend where Brittany dances, sings and invites you to cultivate the essential: the pleasure of being together.