I'm seriously considering heading to Brittany in August for the Lorient Festival. Last time I was there I attempted camping, without realising the campsites had been booked up months in advance. I pitched my tent on the beach - not very clever.
Next morning I went for breakfast and returned to find my tent missing. Turned out that a storm was blowing through and a kind windsurfer caught my tent as it tumbled down the beach and weighed it down with stones. The windsurfer, who happened to enjoy Breton music, put me up for the week in a spare room. He also told me that camping on the beach was illegal anyway. Well the guy was brilliant - made sure I enjoyed the week and trusted a complete stranger to wander in and out of his house. I intend to drop by with a bottle of something strong next time I'm there.
I can't hope for the same good fortune this year so my actual point is this: can anyone recommend any decent and reasonably priced accommodation for the duration of the festival this year? Also if there are any Bretons reading this, who happen to live in Lorient and have a spare room to rent, please let me know!
If anyone has been to the festival recently, have you any thoughts, opinions or suggestions regarding what to expect these days? I remember that it was huge when I was last there, about 7 or 8 years ago.
Anytime I was there we always stayed at the University dorms Conan. Although many of them are dedicated to visiting acts I'm sure a number are available to punters. Quads, douybles and singles as I recall. The best afterhours sessions were in the pubs in the area as well. That was 12 years ago though. IIRC it was Michael Hynes from Spiddal that arranged a lot of it. It's a truly great festival with lots of free stuff going on.
Thanks for the tip Pat. I remember many of the artists staying at the university so I'll see if there are any spare cots available.
When I was there, a great session was on every night/morning at the Saloon Bar, quite close to the campus. I believe that place is closed now, but as far as I know The Galway is still a going concern.
hi conan, you might remember me form london a couple of years back. yea i was there last year with a group and going again this year with another crowd. you should definetly go, the university dorms are the way to go alright, you should be able to get a spot there a. it was my first year there last year and i must say it was one of the best festivals ive been at......
I consider the Lorient festival altogether too "celtic" and (at least a "real" complaint) too crowded. There are plenty of much more interesting festivals to attend during the summer in Britanny.
I remember the Shamrock bar putting up musicians upstairs. Try there. You'll probably get a gig or two out of it, they are very nice there and the cider they serve by the bucket full aint too bad either!
Dorms are the way to go if you don't mind being woke up after 2 hours sleep by the sound of the pipe bands tuning up outside in the yard.
Try Dick Van Dyke's breton twin in the Campus Bar too, he likes the visiting musicians and of course the extra trade
I've attended (as a visitor) every festival since 1998. Whilst the festival has changed, it is still simply 'lorient'! Many musicians playing in various pubs in the city centre until the early hours.
In terms of accomodation, Hotel D'Arvor is pretty reasonable, under 40 euros per night. From experience, I wouldnt recommend the dorms. Its not the most secure!
Saloon Bar is now called the Sheperd Crook. Not as good. Campus is still there, as is the Galway Inn. The Gaite (on road up to dorms from town centre) closed in 2006. Shamrock Pub has new owners, so not sure of the custom provided - I've sent a text msg or two to some Lorient friends to get their opinion.
Scottish organiser is a chap called Tom Johnstone, he's based in Paisley somewhere. Dougie Alexander was involved recently with the Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
I'll be returning - happy to meet up with anyone and give them a guided tour or run down of the key changes!!
Lorient 2009
Lorient 2009
I'm seriously considering heading to Brittany in August for the Lorient Festival. Last time I was there I attempted camping, without realising the campsites had been booked up months in advance. I pitched my tent on the beach - not very clever.
Next morning I went for breakfast and returned to find my tent missing. Turned out that a storm was blowing through and a kind windsurfer caught my tent as it tumbled down the beach and weighed it down with stones. The windsurfer, who happened to enjoy Breton music, put me up for the week in a spare room. He also told me that camping on the beach was illegal anyway. Well the guy was brilliant - made sure I enjoyed the week and trusted a complete stranger to wander in and out of his house. I intend to drop by with a bottle of something strong next time I'm there.
I can't hope for the same good fortune this year so my actual point is this: can anyone recommend any decent and reasonably priced accommodation for the duration of the festival this year? Also if there are any Bretons reading this, who happen to live in Lorient and have a spare room to rent, please let me know!
If anyone has been to the festival recently, have you any thoughts, opinions or suggestions regarding what to expect these days? I remember that it was huge when I was last there, about 7 or 8 years ago.
Thanks for your help
Yec'hed mat!
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Lorient 2009
Anytime I was there we always stayed at the University dorms Conan. Although many of them are dedicated to visiting acts I'm sure a number are available to punters. Quads, douybles and singles as I recall. The best afterhours sessions were in the pubs in the area as well. That was 12 years ago though. IIRC it was Michael Hynes from Spiddal that arranged a lot of it. It's a truly great festival with lots of free stuff going on.
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by Patkiwi
Re: Lorient 2009
Thanks for the tip Pat. I remember many of the artists staying at the university so I'll see if there are any spare cots available.
When I was there, a great session was on every night/morning at the Saloon Bar, quite close to the campus. I believe that place is closed now, but as far as I know The Galway is still a going concern.
Cheers!
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Lorient 2009
hi conan, you might remember me form london a couple of years back. yea i was there last year with a group and going again this year with another crowd. you should definetly go, the university dorms are the way to go alright, you should be able to get a spot there a. it was my first year there last year and i must say it was one of the best festivals ive been at......
# Posted on February 27th 2009 by CFlood
Re: Lorient 2009
Disclaimer: I've never been.
I consider the Lorient festival altogether too "celtic" and (at least a "real" complaint) too crowded. There are plenty of much more interesting festivals to attend during the summer in Britanny.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Tirno
Re: Lorient 2009
Yeah but when breakfast at the festival dining room consists of a couple of tickets for the pastise of your choice I ain't arguing.
# Posted on February 28th 2009 by Patkiwi
Re: Lorient 2009
I remember the Shamrock bar putting up musicians upstairs. Try there. You'll probably get a gig or two out of it, they are very nice there and the cider they serve by the bucket full aint too bad either!
Dorms are the way to go if you don't mind being woke up after 2 hours sleep by the sound of the pipe bands tuning up outside in the yard.
Try Dick Van Dyke's breton twin in the Campus Bar too, he likes the visiting musicians and of course the extra trade
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by munya beor
Re: Lorient 2009
Does anybody know who books the Scottish acts now, it used to be Dougie Alexander from Falkirk?
# Posted on March 2nd 2009 by tirvaluk
Re: Lorient 2009
"Yeah but when breakfast at the festival dining room consists of a couple of tickets for the pastise of your choice I ain't arguing."
Pastis or pasties?
# Posted on March 28th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Lorient 2009
Hi
Sorry for the very late response.
I've attended (as a visitor) every festival since 1998. Whilst the festival has changed, it is still simply 'lorient'! Many musicians playing in various pubs in the city centre until the early hours.
In terms of accomodation, Hotel D'Arvor is pretty reasonable, under 40 euros per night. From experience, I wouldnt recommend the dorms. Its not the most secure!
Saloon Bar is now called the Sheperd Crook. Not as good. Campus is still there, as is the Galway Inn. The Gaite (on road up to dorms from town centre) closed in 2006. Shamrock Pub has new owners, so not sure of the custom provided - I've sent a text msg or two to some Lorient friends to get their opinion.
Scottish organiser is a chap called Tom Johnstone, he's based in Paisley somewhere. Dougie Alexander was involved recently with the Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
I'll be returning - happy to meet up with anyone and give them a guided tour or run down of the key changes!!
spm
# Posted on April 18th 2009 by spm56