Rencontres Trans Musicales – Rennes, France 2025

Background & History

The Rencontres Trans Musicales, often called Les Trans, is a renowned international music festival held annually in Rennes, Brittany, France, since 1979. Organized by the Association Trans Musicales (ATM), the 47th edition in 2025 will continue its legacy of showcasing emerging artists and diverse genres, including rock, electronic, hip-hop, world music, and jazz. Known for launching acts like Björk, Nirvana, and Stromae, it attracts over 60,000 attendees with its focus on discovery and innovation.

The festival spans multiple venues, primarily Parc Expo in Bruz, with additional events at Ubu, Le Liberté, and Théâtre L’Aire Libre. Beyond concerts, Les Trans promotes cultural engagement through year-round activities, artist residencies, and sustainable initiatives, holding ISO 20121 certification since 2005.

Event Highlights

• Main Program: Approximately 80 concerts from December 3–7, 2025, featuring emerging artists from over 40 countries across genres like rap, techno, rock, and world music. Key venues include Parc Expo (three stages, 220–7,000 capacity), Ubu, and Théâtre L’Aire Libre.
• Cultural Actions: Includes adapted concerts for schools and families, workshops, and community projects in Villejean and Fougères, fostering inclusivity and arts education.
• Sustainability: Emphasizes eco-friendly practices (public transport, waste management) and social inclusion (gender equality, accessibility).
• Co-Creation: A unique performance at Théâtre L’Aire Libre, following past residencies by artists like Zaho de Sagazan (2022) and Yamê (2023).
• Mémoires des Trans: A heritage project with archives (photos, videos) documenting the festival’s history since 1979.

Date & Duration

• Dates: December 3–7, 2025 (47th edition, 5 days).
• Hours (based on 2024):
  • Concerts: ~19:00–06:00 (Parc Expo), ~14:00–18:00 (free daytime shows at Le Liberté, Ubu).
  • Box Office: ~10:00–20:00 (Parc Expo, Le Liberté, December 5–7).
  • Cultural Actions: Vary (e.g., school concerts, 10:00–14:00).
• Note: Weather: ~35–45°F, rain possible; bring warm layers, umbrellas. Full schedule at lestrans.com (~October 2025). Some shows are 18+.

Main Event Address

• Venues (Rennes and Bruz, ~10–20 minutes by bus/Métro):
  • Parc Expo: La Haie Gautrais, 35172 Bruz (main venue, three stages, ~7,000 capacity).
  • Ubu: 1 rue Saint-Hélier, 35000 Rennes (intimate venue, ~220 capacity).
  • Le Liberté/L’Étage: Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 35000 Rennes (Village des Trans, concerts, ~1,000 capacity).
  • Théâtre L’Aire Libre: 2 rue de la Lande, 35135 Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande (co-creation, ~500 capacity).
  • Maison des Associations: 6 cours des Alliés, 35000 Rennes (school concerts).
  • Ciné-TNB: 1 rue Saint-Hélier, 35000 Rennes (school concerts).
• Administrative Contact: ATM, 10–12 rue Jean Guy, 35000 Rennes; contact@lestrans.com; (+33) 2-99-31-12-10 (Mon–Fri, 11:00–18:00).
• Note: Public transport: STAR Métro (Line A, Charles de Gaulle, ~€1.50, ~$1.75 USD, 5-minute walk to Ubu) and bus (C1, C2, Liberté TNB, ~€1.50). Limited parking (~€2–€4/hour, ~$2.30–$4.65 USD); HC spaces at avenue Janvier. Vélo STAR bike stations (~€1/hour, ~$1.16 USD).

Contact Information

• Email: contact@lestrans.com (general inquiries); camille.royon@lestrans.com (cultural actions); chloe.poisson@lestrans.com (accessibility).
• Phone: (+33) 2-99-31-12-10 (Mon–Fri, 11:00–18:00).
• Website: https://www.lestrans.com
• Social Media: @TransMusicales (Facebook, X).
• Key Staff: Jean-Louis Brossard (artistic director), Béatrice Macé (co-director), Camille Royon (cultural actions), Chloé Poisson (accessibility).
• Press/Volunteers: Contact contact@lestrans.com (deadline ~September 2025).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Photos/archives at lestrans.com.

Ticket Information

• Admission:
  • Single Tickets (Parc Expo): €9–€83 (~$10–$96 USD).
  • 3-Day Pass (Carte Sortir!): €35 (~$41 USD).
  • Single Shows (Ubu, Le Liberté): €5–€39 (~$5.80–$45 USD).
  • Reduced Rates: €6–€73 (~$7–$85 USD) for under 26, students, job seekers, and disabled persons. Free for accompanying persons with disability card “need for assistance.”
  • Free Events: Daytime concerts at Le Liberté, school/family shows.
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €5–€83 (2024 data).
  • USD: ~$5.80–$96 (1 EUR ≈ $1.16 USD, mid-2025).
• How to Buy:
  • Online: lestrans.com, tourisme-rennes.com (~October 2025).
  • In-Person: Parc Expo (December 5–7, 10:00–20:00), Le Liberté (Village des Trans, same hours), or ATM office (10–12 rue Jean Guy, 11:00–18:00).
  • Other: Fnac, Carrefour, Leclerc (+€2, ~$2.30 USD). Pass Culture for school groups.
• Note: Non-refundable. €4 (~$4.65 USD) surcharge on-site at Parc Expo. Mobile tickets accepted. Avoid unofficial resellers.

Cultural Experience

Les Trans is a cultural beacon, blending global emerging talent with Brittany’s vibrant music scene. Since 1979, it has spotlighted avant-garde acts in venues ranging from Parc Expo’s industrial hangars to Ubu’s intimate stage. Expect a mix of rap, techno, post-punk, and world music, with artists like Gildaa and Maestro Espada (2024).

Culinary offerings include French street food (crêpes, galettes, ~€5–€15, ~$5.80–$17.40 USD) and drinks (beer, cider, ~€3–€8, ~$3.50–$9.30 USD, 19+) at Parc Expo and Le Liberté. The festival’s inclusive ethos, with adapted concerts and community projects, reflects Rennes’ progressive spirit.

Food & Drinks

• Venue Stalls: Crêpes, sandwiches, galettes (~€5–€15, ~$5.80–$17.40 USD). Drinks: coffee, cider, beer (~€3–€8, ~$3.50–$9.30 USD, 19+).
• Nearby Dining (Rennes):
  • Crêperie La Rozell (14 rue de Penhoët, 35000, crêpes, ~$5–$15 USD, 5-minute walk from Ubu).
  • Le Café des Jacobins (8 rue des Jacobins, 35000, French classics, ~$10–$20 USD, 7-minute walk from Le Liberté).
  • La Saint-Georges (11 rue du Pré Botté, 35000, meals, ~$15–$25 USD, 10-minute walk from Ubu).
• Note: Card preferred; cash (EUR) for small vendors. No outside food/drinks. Water stations at Parc Expo, Ubu.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Family concert at Ubu (March 15, 2025, Lòfacil, suitable for 6+). School concerts (March 17, May 12–13, 2025, Gildaa, 15 15). Under-16s need supervision. Main festival concerts 18+.
• Accessibility: Ubu offers ramps, lowered counters, and adapted toilets (in the women’s restroom). Parc Expo has HC spaces, lifts. Free admission for accompanying persons with disability card “need for assistance” (contact chloe.poisson@lestrans.com). Earplugs, hearing protection headphones are available. Easy French guides for Ubu (lestrans.com).

Getting There

• By Air: Rennes Bretagne Airport (RNS, 7 km, ~15-minute taxi, ~€15, ~$17.40 USD) or Paris CDG (250 km, ~2.5-hour TGV, ~€50, ~$58 USD).
• Public Transport:
  • Métro: Line A (Charles de Gaulle, ~€1.50, ~$1.75 USD, 5-minute walk to Ubu).
  • Bus: STAR lines C1, C2, 11 (Liberté TNB, ~€1.50, ~$1.75 USD). Parc Expo shuttle (~€2, ~$2.30 USD, every 15 minutes).
  • Handistar: Accessible transport (handistar.fr).
• By Car: Parking at Parc Expo (~€2–€4/hour, ~$2.30–$4.65 USD). HC spaces at avenue Janvier, rue Saint-Hélier (near Ubu).
• By Foot/Bike: Walkable venues (Ubu to Le Liberté, ~7 minutes). Vélo STAR bikes (~€1/hour, ~$1.16 USD).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis Rennes (+33-2-99-30-79-79, ~$5–$15 USD). Bolt (~$3–$10 USD).

Program Details

• December 3–7, 2025: Full lineup at lestrans.com (~October 2025). ~80 artists, 40+ countries.
• Concerts: ~19:00–06:00 (Parc Expo), ~14:00–18:00 (free shows at Le Liberté, Ubu). 2024 examples: Miki (Le Liberté), Fcukers (Parc Expo), Candeur Cyclone (Théâtre L’Aire Libre).
• Cultural Actions:
  • Family Concert: March 15, 2025 (Ubu, Lòfacil).
  • School Concerts: March 17, May 12–13, 2025 (Ubu, Maison des Associations, Ciné-TNB, Gildaa, 15 15).
  • Preparation Program: October–December 2024 (for 2025, contact camille.royon@lestrans.com).
• Note: Some shows are 18+. English/French signage. Tickets are required for evening concerts.

Past Notable Features

• 2024: December 4–8, ~80 artists (e.g., Miki, Fcukers, Candeur Cyclone), 40+ countries.
• 2023: Zaho de Sagazan, Yamê residencies at Théâtre L’Aire Libre.
• 1991: Nirvana’s iconic performance at La Cité.
• 1979: Founded by ATM, featuring Marquis de Sade.

Educational Impact

• Cultural Learning: Promotes emerging global talent and musical diversity. Trans Course offers tailored experiences (concerts, workshops, blogs) for youth and social groups.
• Community Engagement: Projects in Villejean and Fougères, artist residencies, and Mémoires des Trans archive connect communities with music.
• Historical Context: Reflects Rennes’ role as a music hub since the 1979 New Wave scene.

Cultural Activities

• Concerts: ~80 performances across genres (rock, techno, hip-hop, world).
• Workshops: Artist residencies, professionalization support for local musicians.
• Exhibitions: Mémoires des Trans archives (photos, videos, lestrans.com).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets on sale ~October 2025 (lestrans.com). Hotels fill in December; book 6–12 months. Use star.fr for transport.
• Weather Prep: 35–45°F, rain possible; bring warm layers, umbrellas.
• Explore Locally: Place Sainte-Anne (free, 5-minute walk from Ubu), Musée des Beaux-Arts ($6 USD, 7-minute walk), Parlement de Bretagne (free, 10-minute walk).
• Transport: Métro/bus for efficiency. Avoid driving due to limited parking.
• Crowd Tips: Arrive 30 minutes early for Parc Expo shows. Free daytime shows are less crowded.

Local Attractions

• Place Sainte-Anne: 35000 Rennes (free, 5-minute walk from Ubu).
• Musée des Beaux-Arts: 20 quai Émile Zola, 35000 ($6 USD, 7-minute walk).
• Parlement de Bretagne: 11 rue de la Monnaie, 35000 (free, 10-minute walk).
• Parc du Thabor: Place Saint-Mélaine, 35000 (free, 15-minute walk).
• Marché des Lices: Place des Lices, 35000 (free, Saturdays, 10-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Hôtel Le Nemours (5 rue de Nemours, 35000, $80–$150 USD/night, 5-minute walk from Ubu).
  • Mercure Rennes Centre Parlement (1 rue Paul Louis Courier, 35000, $100–$200 USD/night, 7-minute walk from Le Liberté).
• B&Bs: La Demeure de l’Île (15 rue de l’Île, 35000, $70–$120 USD/night, 10-minute walk from Ubu).
• Apartments: Airbnb ($50–$150 USD/night, central Rennes).
• Note: Book early for December. Discounts via lestrans.com (speculative).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Parc Expo, Ubu. CHU Rennes (10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks; no large bags or professional cameras. Info points for lost items.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (October 2025).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated; supervise under 16s.