A weekend of Saab spirit and sea breeze in Brittany
What was originally described as a “small local meeting” quickly evolved into one of the most charming Saab events held in France this year. From June 7–8, the port town of Étel in southern Brittany welcomed 19 Saab 900s, supported by a handful of 9000, 9-5, and 9-3 models, and an enthusiastic crowd of visitors, locals, and passionate mechanics.
Michel Yann, the event’s organizer and former Saab technician at Lorient, orchestrated the entire gathering with the precision of a seasoned rally crew chief. His initiative wasn’t just about cars—it was about identity, passion, and reconnecting with a part of automotive history that refuses to be forgotten.
Bagad music and turbocharged arrivals
The visual of nearly twenty Saab 900s arriving in formation on the pier, backed by the traditional bagad music of Kervignac’s Breton pipers, was nothing short of cinematic. Coupés, cabriolets, naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants lined up side by side in Étel’s picturesque harbor.
Locals gathered early, despite overcast skies, to admire these rare silhouettes. For many visitors, it was the first time seeing so many Saab 900s in one place—especially in a region where even classic car culture rarely includes Swedish models.
The “Piston’Cup”: built by students, awarded by fans
Adding a touch of creativity and local pride, students of the Émile-James technical high school crafted custom trophies for the event using recycled mechanical components—a nod to both Saab’s engineering legacy and the importance of sustainability.
Among the awarded were:
- Best of Show: A pristine 1992 Saab 900 S from Larmor-Plage, owned by a Morbihan local.
- Farthest Distance Traveled: Honoring a driver who made the longest journey to attend.
- Unluckiest Entrant: Eric, whose 900 suffered a squealing belt early in the day—but thanks to help from fellow Saab mechanics, the issue was resolved before the night’s gathering at the municipal campsite.
These small, human moments made the event feel intimate and sincere. It wasn’t just about showing cars—it was about fixing them, living with them, and sharing the knowledge.
Tourism meets turbocharging: Sunday’s cultural twist
On Sunday, the convoy left the pier and made its way to the Pradic parking area, where Étel traditionally hosts classic cars on the second Sunday of each month. From there, the Saabs ventured out on a scenic cruise toward Carnac, La Trinité-sur-Mer, and the Quiberon peninsula.
In true Breton fashion, the trip was punctuated by a stop for fresh oysters and local seafood—a highlight not just for tastebuds but also for camaraderie. Yann had been clear from the start: this gathering wasn’t only for car people; it was about sharing the charm of Brittany with those who had never experienced it.
Looking ahead: 2026 could be a game-changer
While the 2025 edition may have brought just under two dozen cars, the vision for next year is far more ambitious. Michel Yann is already planning a broader event—potentially welcoming all Saab models and even Volvo classics, under one tricolor banner.
His dream? To turn Brittany into the epicenter of Swedish car culture in France, if only for a weekend.
With his background as a former Saab France diagnostic technician and a personal collection of 900s that he keeps running daily in a town of just 4,500 people, it’s safe to say that if anyone can bring this vision to life, it’s Yann.
Final reflections: community first, cylinders second
This post-festum moment confirms something long felt among Saab circles: it’s not the number of cars that defines a successful gathering—it’s the spirit of the people around them.
From handcrafted trophies and Breton folk music to roadside repairs and seafood by the sea, the Étel meetup reminds us what Saab culture has always stood for—intelligence, individuality, and integrity.
If you missed it this year, consider this your personal invitation to the next.
Related Reading
Missed the announcement? Here’s how it all began: France’s Largest Saab Meetup in Years: Why All Eyes Were on Étel This June
Also check out our earlier coverage from Provence: Salon-de-Provence: Reviving the Spirit of Saab in the South of France
A Saab Weekend Powered by Family, Art, and Breton Soul
What made the Étel 2025 gathering truly special wasn’t just the lineup of Saab 900s or the coastal charm—it was the deeply personal, family-driven effort behind every detail. For Michel Yann, organizing the event was more than logistics—it was a full-hearted project involving his entire family, each contributing their unique talents.
Mara, his youngest daughter and a lifelong Saab enthusiast, performed traditional Breton music on the bombarde at the harbor, having practiced weekly with the Bagad de Kervignac just for this moment.
Meanwhile, Lilou, his eldest daughter—though currently studying medicine—channeled her artistic passion into painting the watercolor cover of the road book, a design that became the signature of the event. The same illustration was printed on custom-designed cookies and commemorative Saab ZH 2025 cups, handed to every participant as a memory of the first edition.
But it didn’t stop there. Lilou personally created individual watercolor portraits of each participant’s Saab 900, gifted during the Saturday evening aperitif—a gesture that moved many attendees and gave the event a uniquely intimate tone.
Even the dessert was a family affair: Yann’s wife baked a traditional Far Breton to close one of the weekend’s meals, reinforcing the gathering’s strong connection to local culture and hospitality.
This wasn’t just an event; it was a celebration of legacy, family, and the Saab way of life—meticulously crafted by people who live and breathe the brand every day. The Saab 900 may have been the star on the road, but it was the Yann family spirit that gave Étel 2025 its soul.
France’s Other Saab Stronghold: A Monthly Tradition in Seclin
If the Étel gathering sparked your curiosity, you’ll want to read about another long-running Saab tradition in northern France. Since 2017, a group of dedicated enthusiasts—led in part by photographer Thomas Blum—has met every first Friday of the month in the town of Seclin, just outside Lille. It’s not just a meet—it’s a ritual that’s kept the Saab community alive through consistency and passion.
Read the full story about the Seclin monthly Saab meet
Bravo et félicitation yann
didier