The Carnival of the Gais-Lurons

In 2024, the Carnival of Gais Lurons celebrates its 63st edition! Discover this unmissable event in Vitré, which is one of the biggest carnivals in the department!

In 1953, a group of friends created the association "Les Sans Soucis" with the aim of animating the Sainte-Croix district in order to raise money for the repair of the bell tower of the Sainte-Croix church. The animation was a success and a few years later, in 1958, "Les Sans Soucis" became "Les Gais Lurons". This animation, the "Mid-Lent" then extends to the entire city of Vitré. It became the “Carnival” in 1993. Access has been free since 1999. The carnival consists of a disguised parade and thematic floats.

Historically, the Daytime Parade is held on Palm Sunday. If the original parade was always organized during the day, since 2006, a night parade has also been organized, with all the floats illuminated. This is organized two weeks after that of days (this year, three weeks later).

On the sidelines of these two parades, other events are also organized. Find below the complete program of activities for the Gais Lurons in 2024:

Saturday March 9 and Sunday March 10: open days

From 10 a.m. to 00 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 00 p.m., Rue de la Haie-Robert in Vitré.

Registrations for confetti sellers

For children and adults, registration of ganimated groups around the tanks and delivery of costumes (deposit of 30€)

Friday March 15: opening of the funfair

Stands and rides open from Friday March 15 to Sunday March 24, 2024.
On the Place du Champ-de-Foire, in Vitré

Reduced prices on Wednesday.

Sunday March 17: Gais Lurons cycling race

Departure: 14:30 p.m. from Place Saint-Yves in Vitré

Senior, junior race, open cycling pass
With the help of the Cyclo-Club Vitréen

Saturday March 23: mini-parade

MINI PARADE

18:00 p.m.: departure from Place du General De Gaulle

18h : reception of groups and music of class 04 at the Town Hall

DINNER DANCE with the Orchester Plein Feu.

20:30 p.m. – Vitré Exhibition Center

On reservation (open hours Tuesday from 20:30 p.m. to 22 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from January 23)

_{©Rose-Cassandre Orriere}

The carnival of the Gais Lurons

Sunday March 24: daytime carnival

For carnival-goers: makeup stand on Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Gais lurons premises

10 a.m. – 00 p.m.: city entertainment, downtown. Aubades of musical groups in different districts of the city of Vitré

Then positioning of the floats before the departure of the parade at 14:30 p.m.

_{©Rose-Cassandre Orriere}

The carnival of the Gais Lurons, the daytime parade

14:30 p.m.: departure of the cavalcade from 32 Boulevard de Laval

Floats, entertainment and dancing groups, music, very festive atmosphere and music

18:30 p.m.: performances and performances by musical groups (Boulevard de Châteaubriant)

Route of the Carnival of the Gais Lurons on March 24, 2024

Saturday April 6: night carnival

_{The Enchantment of Lights}

21:30 p.m.: departure of the night parade, the “Féerie des Lumières”
Floats illuminated and animated by a musical group.

Final around midnight Place du Champ-de-Foire

Ignition of Gai Luron 63

Confetti Battle