Four autumn city trips in festival mode

Explore Rennes, Brest and Lorient this autumn and this winter for a city break to the sound of music festivals! Vibrant culture and architecture, trendy bars and restaurants, and to top it off, the sea is never far away! Fill your days with urban walks, and trips to the seaside, and party at night with locals!

In the blink of an eye

1. Sea spray and “Baisers Iodés” – salty kisses in Saint-Malo

From 26 to 28 September 2025

Here it comes – your last summertime dip, festival version! Slip a swimsuit into your bag. Some earplugs too. Saint-Malo is calling you. Set off for 3 sea-salty days in the Corsair City, with 2 evenings of electropop concerts where the beat flirts with the waves. Ideal opportunities to improvise a sunset swim, wolf down a buckwheat crepe on the ramparts…or just soak up the ambience. Sunday bonus: at low tide, hop over to Grand Bé island and say hello to Chateaubriand. A great fiesta and culture weekend’s waiting for you!

Baisers Iodés

Our tips:

Where to sleep: Hôtel Ar Terra Nova/ Hôtel Ar Iniz
Where to eat: Les Gamins / Bouliche / le Comptoir Breizh Café / Grain Noir
Have a drink: Bar Lounge du Petit Bé (They also serve a lovely brunch there!)
Brunch: Café Frui’thé / Mignon Café
Shopping: Maison Générale (for beautiful objects), Joli Concept
Culture: Panoramic tour of the ramparts
How to get there: by TGV, 2 hours 15 minutes from Paris. By ferry, 10 minutes from Dinard

©Baisers Voles 2023 Vendredi C Jean Adrien Morandeau|Jean-Adrien Morandeau

2. Les IndisciplinéEs in Lorient

From 2nd to 11th November 2025

Concerts inside a bunker… Try the experience during Les IndisciplinéEs, at the start of November, in Lorient. Ten days of concerts to discover emerging bands from the European and French scenes, some of which perform at Hydrophone. This music hall, currently the only one of its kind, is in Lorient-La Base. It’s “the” place to be, with its terraces, zip wire, quays where you can stroll while admiring the offshore racing boats, etc. Lorient embraces its coolness. Go shopping in its concept stores, enjoy the exhibitions in the art galleries, etc. Here, you will always find a lively bar for evening entertainment! Take the “batobus” to distance yourself from this urban merriment and discover the unspoilt charm of the Gâvres peninsular. Another idea: prolong your weekend and set off for Groix island, just opposite.

Les Indisciplinées

Our tips:

Where to sleep: Hôtel Victor Hugo
Where to eat: Where is Tom
Have a drink: La Base bar restaurant / Le bar d’en face
Brunch : Mango Rossa, Code 0 (around the 15th of each month)
Shopping : record shop Corner records
Culture: Galerie du Faouëdic
For a hot chocolate: La Truie et sa Portée

©La Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly, Lorient base|VERNEUIL Teddy - LEZBROZ

3. Trans Musicales and good vibes in Rennes

From 3rd to 7th December 2025

From Etienne Daho to Jeanne Added, including Portishead, Daft Punk, Björk, and more. Each edition has its share of revelations! For four days in early December, vibrate to the sound of the Trans Musicales in Rennes. In concert halls and bars, discover tomorrow’s headliners and experience the vibe of a city that cultivates its uniqueness! The Breton capital mixes half-timbered houses and a glass building by Jean Nouvel, Odorico Art Deco frescoes and walls full of street art, lively terraces and little hidden courtyards. Devour a sausage crepe at Lices market, or enjoy a brunch made with local products in Mail François Mitterrand, the new trendy neighbourhood. And for a breath of ocean air, head to Saint-Malo, 45 minutes by train! Is world music more your thing? Check the programme of Grand Soufflet, taking place in October all over Rennes.

Les Trans

Our tips:

Where to sleep: Les Chouettes
Where to eat: Origines / Bretone
Have a drink: les bars en trans
Brunch: the Mail district: Les Grands Gamins / Oh my Biche / Le Magic Hall
Shopping: Blind Spot – disquaires à Rennes
Culture: Les Champs Libres
How to get there: by TGV in 1h40 from Paris

©Nuit sur le canal, la Mabilais et l'immeuble Jean Nouvel|PRIE Guillaume

4. Festive break and sounds from elsewhere in Brest

From 4th to 14th December 2025

Go west… for a cultural and festive break in Brest. At the start of December, No Border, a festival of world folk music, takes over every part of this town with its proud maritime spirit. Between two concerts, stroll along the quays of Marina du Château or the commercial port, lined with trendy bars and restaurants. Discover the city from a gull’s eye view in the cable car that goes to Ateliers des Capucins. This former shipbuilding hub is now open to the arts, culture and technology. Dive to the bottom of the ocean by visiting the 70.8 maritime innovation gallery. You can’t beat a little boat trip to discover the Brest roadstead, one of the most beautiful in France. From the unusual little Maison Blanche harbour, which is really cute with its fishermen’s huts, to Petit Minou lighthouse, there are many paths offering other exceptional views of the roadstead, the bottleneck and the Crozon peninsula.

No Border