Fest Noz   by Michael Collinson

in Entertainment / Music    (submitted 2012-01-13)

For a different fun night out, go to any one of the Fest Noz's which can be held in almost any village in Brittany mostly within the Summer. You can normally see notices for these displayed on boards outside the villages a few days before it begins. They are generally very well attended with nearly all of the local residents there and lots of visitors as well.

These are held both indoors and outdoors with a wide range of activities but normally featuring music, usually live, with group dancing in Breton style which requires dancing in a circle with linked hands.
These are a true family members affair in that everyone of all ages dances, from youngsters up to grandparents and is an extremely safe environment to take youngsters to.

There will, quite frequently be games played also. PETANQUE or BOULES is really a favorite game with 2 teams of 1-3 players. The players have 3 steel Boules and the object with the game is always to throw them to get them as close to the "cochonnet" or smaller wooden ball as you possibly can. The winning team getting the most Boules closest to the Cochonnet.
Quite often if the Fest Noz is becoming held outside, there could possibly be several games being played at the exact same time.

There is nearly always a lot to eat and drink including the favorites Crepes and Galettes with beer, wine and cider and maybe chouchen which Is a drink that's created with fermenting honey.

The Fest Noz usually begin mid evening and often go on until the early hours of the morning, look out for upcoming events posted on signs in villages as you're driving by way of and make sure to go to at least 1 when you are on holiday in this lovely part of the world.

Sometimes there is an entry fee to be paid which will probably include a drink and something to eat other times it is free to join in with and up to you If you want to buy anything.
Sometimes Fest Deiz are held which means an afternoon festival.

It is certainly worth keeping your eye open for If you are driving around, visitors are welcomed to these events and it wont be long before you have a whole host of new friends and experiences to tell your friends and relatives about when you get back home from your holidays..

About the Author

Retired and moved to Brittany in France during August 2011