In the workshop, we love bikes that get around town, but we also have a soft spot for the ones that head off far away. Good news for dreamers: Festivélo is returning to Lausanne. Here are the essentials, in short.
Dates and venue
According to the Festivélo website, the event takes place from 6 to 8 November 2026 in Lausanne-Béthusy. The organisers present it as the first Swiss festival dedicated to bike touring, and describe it as "a unique event in Switzerland". It is run by the Association romande du voyage à vélo.
The programme at a glance
Again according to Festivélo, the 2026 programme is already online. Here is what we picked out:
- 15 talks by travellers who have cycled to the four corners of the world;
- an "off" festival, designed as places for direct conversation with travellers, over a drink, a book or a workshop;
- a photo competition, which we cover just below;
- a 2026 trailer and the programme as a PDF, both available on the festival website.
The photo competition: deadline 26 October
Got a great photo from a bike trip? The festival invites the public to take part. Twenty photos will be selected, printed in A4 format and displayed during the event. Entries can be sent in until Monday 26 October.
During the festival, the public votes. The three most popular photos will each receive a prize, presented at the start of the last talk on Sunday to the winners or their representatives.
A look at the Festivélo grant
The website also highlights the winners of the 2024 Festivélo grant, with a project called "Pérégrinations japonaises" (Japanese Wanderings). Three friends, three bikes, three months, and plenty of creative gear: pencils for drawing, a sound recorder, a video camera, a film camera, and paper for telling the story. The aim is an adventure that is at once about cycling, people and culture. It gives a good idea of the spirit of the festival: the bike as a way of getting to know a country.
What this makes us think of, from the workshop
A bike trip is first and foremost about having a bike you trust. We often see plans for a getaway take shape after a simple ride around town. A well-adjusted bike, brakes in good condition, a clean chain and properly inflated tyres already make every ride more enjoyable, short or long. On an e-bike, the battery also deserves a quick check before heading a little further afield.
Our advice: if a trip or a big ride is on your mind, have your bike checked well in advance rather than the day before you leave. That leaves time to replace a worn part and to ride with peace of mind. If in doubt, come and talk to us: together we will work out what is really needed.
In conclusion
Festivélo shows that active, low-impact mobility can also take you travelling, not just to work. We think it's wonderful that such an event is taking place right on our doorstep, in Lausanne. If you go, tell us about your favourite moments. And if your bike needs a little attention before your next adventures, our workshop in Prilly is here for that.
Looking for a service or some advice? Book an appointment online or drop by our workshop in Prilly.
