Games in Brittany

Good to know about games in Brittany

Lotto, a close cousin of bingo, remains a firm favourite with Breton associations, which hold lotto nights to fund their activities: cards, prizes and a refreshment stand draw a loyal crowd, mostly at weekends. Palets is a regional speciality: in eastern Brittany players toss cast-iron discs onto a wooden board, while elsewhere in the region the game is also played on earth or on the road. Its contests bring together groups of friends and seasoned players, as do those for boules and French card games such as belote and tarot.

Board game fans will find game nights in toy libraries, games bars and public libraries, and board game festivals bring together publishers, designers and players. Escape rooms and treasure trails, often set in a historic town centre or around a monument, are played in teams, with family or friends.

For a lotto, arrive early: the best seats go fast, and cards are bought on the spot. Palets and card contests generally require teams to register before play begins. To find a lotto or a tournament near you, the site's search shows them by date around an address or your current location, on a map and in a list.