Les Vieilles Charrues – France 2026

Background & History

Les Vieilles Charrues, meaning “Old Ploughs,” was founded in 1992 in the rural village of Landeleau, Brittany, by a group of friends, including Michel Troadec, now the mayor of Carhaix, with the simple aim of enjoying a good meal, sing-alongs, and drinks among locals. What began as a modest village fête with around 500 attendees has blossomed into France’s largest music festival, attracting over 280,000 revelers annually and featuring 5,500 volunteers in peak years like 2017. Relocating to Carhaix-Plouguer in 1996, the event has grown into a cultural phenomenon, blending Breton heritage with global sounds, and drawing legends like Bruce Springsteen, Muse, Charles Aznavour, and Manu Chao. Organized by the non-profit association Vieilles Charrues, it emphasizes conviviality, eclecticism, and community, reinvesting surpluses into artistic growth and accessibility, while generating significant economic boosts for rural Brittany.

Over three decades, the festival has evolved from folk roots to a diverse showcase of rock, pop, rap, electro, and indie, reflecting Brittany’s vibrant music scene and commitment to inclusivity. It has weathered challenges like the 2024 €1M deficit but rebounded to equilibrium in 2025 with 264,000 attendees across 74 concerts. The 34th edition in 2026 marks continued expansion, with a focus on sustainability (56.5% of emissions from travel) and cultural exchange, solidifying its status as a must-attend European event that transforms the Finistère countryside into a four-day utopia of music and festivity.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: Over 70 headline concerts across four main stages, including the Glenmor Stage (largest, named after Breton singer Emile Le Scanff), featuring a mix of international stars and emerging talents in rock, pop, rap, and electro.
• Main Activities or Performances: Daytime free concerts, late-night DJ sets, and collaborative jams, with past lineups blending genres like the 2025 roster of Macklemore, Damiano David, Damso, Alanis Morissette, and Amelie Lens.
• Special Traditions or Features: The Klub VIP area offers exclusive backstage access, happy hours, giant screens, and surprises for ticket holders; the festival’s associative spirit includes volunteer-led operations and eco-initiatives like carpooling incentives.
• Special Traditions or Features: “Taste the World” food demos and cultural workshops highlight Breton cuisine and global flavors, with a private Facebook group for early news and deals.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Family zones with reduced child tickets (-50% under 14), harbor swims to live music, and the “Something Else” program for experimental fusions; guided tours of backstage and artist meet-and-greets via Klub.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Sustainability drives like Tribulive carpooling contests for VIP access, and the official resale platform to combat black market fakes.

Date & Duration

• Dates: July 16 – July 19, 2026
• Duration: 4 days

Venue / Location

• Main Venue: Kerampuilh site in Carhaix-Plouguer, featuring four stages, camping fields, and the Château Park for relaxation (Google Maps: Kerampuilh, Carhaix-Plouguer, 29270, France).
• Key Areas: Glenmor Stage for headliners, open-air arenas, and the Klub VIP space near entrances with private bars and toilets.
• Camping Zone: Free access campsite open July 16–21, with reserved spots bookable mid-June; accessible parking in orange I lot.
• Surrounding Area: Heart of Brittany’s Finistère, near historic Carhaix with local pubs and trails; shuttle links to Poher towns.
• Accessibility Features: PSH (disability) platforms overlooking stages, adapted toilets, showers, and wheelchair charging; dedicated reception.
• Other Spots: Local points of sale in Morlaix, Rostrenen, and Lesneven for tickets; nationwide ties via partner buses.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Online via vieillescharrues.asso.fr or See Tickets starting December 2025; physical points in Morlaix, Rostrenen (from Jan 3), and Lesneven; official resale platform from late June 2026; Culture Pass app for 15–18s.
• How Tickets Are Sold: Limits: 3x 4-day passes, 4x 3-day (Thu-Sat or Fri-Sun), 6x 1-day per order; payment in 3 installments (from Dec 9, no fees for regular rates until Mar 20); insurance via Meetch for refunds.
• Pricing (in USD):
  • 4-day pass: $210 (€191) presto rate, rising to regular.
  • 3-day pass: $159 (€144) presto rate.
  • 1-day ticket: $57 (€52) presto rate.
  • Children under 14: 50% off (at physical points, ID required).
  • PSH (disability) tickets: Standard price + companion access (via dedicated office).
  • Klub VIP add-on: Limited to 2025 ticket holders, includes perks like early 2026 sales.
• Special Seating or VIP Options: PSH tickets include reserved parking/camping, viewing platforms, and one companion; Klub offers backstage visits and private group chat; no name changes post-mid-June.

Contact Information

• Email: billetterie@vieillescharrues.asso.fr (ticketing); info@vieillescharrues.asso.fr (general); workshops or disabled queries via site form.
• Phone: +33 4 56 60 00 66 (See Tickets customer service, Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM).
• Website: https://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr
• Address: Association Vieilles Charrues, Kerampuilh, 29270 Carhaix-Plouguer, France.
• Social Media: @vieillescharrues (Instagram, Facebook) for lineup reveals and updates.
• Key Staff: Not specified; board includes local cultural figures.
• Press/Volunteers: Press via site contact; volunteer applications (5,500+ roles) open early 2026 via vieillescharrues.asso.fr.
• Lost and Found: At festival info desks or via billetterie email.
• Note: Response time 24–48 hours; FAQ covers resale, camping, and accessibility.

Cultural Experience

Les Vieilles Charrues celebrates Brittany’s rural soul and global musical fusion, transforming the Kerampuilh fields into a convivial melting pot where Breton folk traditions meet international headliners, echoing the festival’s origins as a village harvest fête. Attendees immerse in a “hygge”-like Breton atmosphere of shared feasts, with stages hosting eclectic mixes from rap (Damso) to electro (Amelie Lens), fostering intergenerational bonds amid 280,000 diverse visitors—90% French, with strong European turnout. The non-profit ethos shines through volunteer-driven operations and cultural programs like “Jazz for Kids” equivalents, offering workshops in local crafts, storytelling, and dance, while sustainability initiatives (e.g., carpool contests) reflect eco-conscious Breton values.

Inclusivity defines the vibe, with PSH facilities ensuring access for disabilities, reduced child rates encouraging families, and the Klub’s private perks for loyal fans, creating a safe, festive space despite high volumes. Visitors wander from harborfront swims to backstage tours, tasting Celtic-inspired Breton cider alongside global street food, embodying the festival’s motto of “fête et bonne humeur.” As France’s biggest fest, it boosts rural economy and cultural pride, blending historic Carhaix’s Celtic roots with modern experimentation, making every edition a transformative communal rite.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Breton galettes (buckwheat crepes with ham, cheese, or seafood) and crêpes suzette from local stalls.
• Must-Try Specialties: Regional ciders, kouign-amann (buttery pastry), and fresh oysters from nearby coasts.
• Dining Options: 50+ food trucks offering global fusion like Moroccan tagines, vegan Breton bowls, and French frites; picnic zones encouraged.
• Dining Options: Klub bar with free soft drinks, happy hours, and shaded seating; allergen-aware options available.
• Beverages: Breton ciders, French wines, and craft beers; non-alcoholic elderflower presses and herbal infusions.
• Beverages: Festival-exclusive cocktails like the “Charrue Sour” at VIP areas.

Getting There

• By Air: Brest Bretagne Airport (BES), 70 km away (1 hour by car/bus), or Rennes (RNS), 150 km (2 hours).
• By Public Transport: TGV to Guingamp (1.5 hours from Paris), then buses/shuttles; low-cost trains via SNCF; buses from €2 via regional lines.
• By Car: A11/A84 motorways to Carhaix; reserved orange I parking; carpool via Tribulive for eco-rewards and VIP draws.
• By Bike/Foot: Bike racks and paths from town; free shuttles to Poher villages like Rostrenen.
• Accessibility: Adapted shuttles and parking for PSH; contact billetterie for transport aids.

Accommodation Options

• On-Site Camping: Free access July 16–21, bookable mid-June; van/camper spots available; family areas with facilities.
• In Carhaix: Budget hotels like Ibis Budget Carhaix ($60–$100/night); mid-range Campanile ($80–$130/night).
• Nearby: Rostrenen B&Bs ($70–$120/night); luxury in Quimper like Mercure ($150–$250/night, 1 hour away).
• Alternatives: Airbnb in Finistère ($90–$200/night); glamping pods at nearby sites ($120–$180/night).
• Tips: Book camping with tickets; Noz Kamp for premium spots; packages via VisitBrittany include shuttles.