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.- it's all free !

On the first saturday of June there is the music festival where there's lots of musicians performing live in the streets over the weekend. There's an open air meal you can go to on the Saturday night (10 Euros for a starter, BBQ, cheese and fruit). Sit on a long wooden bench under the huge tent and jostle with the locals !

Monteneuf
Here there's also a music festival in June. Go soak up the free music and have a meal in the marquee; this year it was a choice of mussels and chips or a BBQ.....see sign below.

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.

Also in Guer this month is the festival of the horse. If your interested in horses this fete has it all......

Treal. The local chateau/ stables has a fete for the weekend. Based unsurprising on a horse theme there's loads of shows to see: horse dressage and jumping plus dog agility. There's also a `vide grenier` (car boot sale), pony riding and, rather oddly helicopter trips as well!

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; if you dare it's worth it !

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.- 14th July. An evenings BBQ on the village green topped off by a huge fireworks 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.

Malestroit. 9th-14th July. There is a music festival in the square together with a car boot sale, fireworks and a Cochon grille (whole barbequed pig !)

Bignan. The Celtic circle fete

Guillers. The festival of the farm- see how food is produced and visit a working dairy
Josselin. Street performances. Just go to Josselin on a Saturday in mid July and be entertained by all manners of street performances from clowns to fire eaters, it's all free.

Campeneac. The fete of bygone trades. Here you'll see the way things were done by craftsman hundreds of years ago. There demonstrations, recreations and actual restoration works all on display.

Taupont. The middle Sunday of July is the day for their annual accompanied walk. Hundreds of people turn up to go on the 20km stroll which takes in some local villages and the nationally famous Hydrangea walk.

Also in Taupont a week later is the `Evening of the Guitar` where dozens of aspiring musicians turn up, sit round fires late into the night and play and sing for you.

Loyat. In july they hold the ghosts, goblins and fairies evening where people come dressed to scare and sinister tales are told around open fires. On a more friendly note there's a great meal to be had and a lot of fun as well

Bignan. The day of the clowns. If you like clowns then this is the place to be ...non-stop entertainment.

Guegon. Here at the huge manoir house they host a large open air concert which is free of charge. There is also a meal under the stars.

Guer (St Cyr) Here on the last Sunday of July the military school (equivalent to Sandhurst in the UK) puts on a great display depicting the history of the French military

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 Oust.
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 or a hot loaf straight from the traditional bread oven (below).

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- The Madonne des Motards- . It`s for one day only and the bikes all tour some of the local towns in the afternoon starting at Porcaro. 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.

Malestroit. Fete Mediaeval
This fete is held in mid September and the centre of Malestroit is closed for three days. There`s displays of jousting and battles; demonstrations of ancient skills such as stone carving (below) and staining of church glass. A full scale mediaeval banquet is held in the square and anyone can go. It`s really interesting.

La Gacilly. Bikers depot vente (second hand fair)
Every September there`s a huge fair in La Gacilly for second hand bikers stuff. Clothes, bits and even whole bikes. Even if you`re not into motorbikes its quite interesting and free to go in.

Monteneuf. Radio controlled planes
This is a rather odd bit specialised event but nonetheless quite good fun. Local radio controlled plane enthusiasts gather to show off their flying skills over the lake at Monteneuf. It`s all free of charge and is rather novel !

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.

St Servant sur Oust
The last weekend of August sees the main straight which runs past the town closed to traffic for the motorbike stunt show. You can turn up and stand just on the side of the road and watch mad bikers doing suicidal stunts on their motorbikes. It`s absolute madness with every trick in the book on show. Wheelie's on both wheels, burnouts, donuts, you name it, they do it. There`s always a few accidents when a few of them overdo it but luckily no-one gets to badly hurt.

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 centre's. 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.