Bretagne Persdossier 2009 Engels

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Armor, Landscape of the SeaThe Heritage of Nature

Blessed with 2730 km of coastline, Brittany offers extremely varied environments with a succession of cliffs, dunes, estuaries, mud flats and marshlands.

The cliffsThe most evocative image of Brittany is a high cliff battered by waves, even though this type of landscape is not continuous along the entire coastline. However, the whole of the peninsula is bordered by rocky coastal outcrops of which the colours and shapes vary from north to south. The highest cliffs (over 100 m) are in the Crozon Peninsula, at the Point of Finistère. The cliffs at Goëlo and at Cap Fréhel in the Côtes d’Armor rise up and overhang the sea at a height of more than 70 m. From Douarnenez to the Pointe du Raz, the cliffs form an uninterrupted barrier dominating the Bay. Elsewhere, the cliffs are not so high, between 10 and 20 m, frequently hollowed out by creeks and beaches, as on the Quiberon Peninsula or the Concarneau coast. In addition, the cliffs are a breeding ground for sea birds: cormorants, gannets, petrels, etc. Covered in lichens and mosses, they are also carpeted with plants resistant to the marine air, such as anemones, sea campion, gorse or broom.

The beaches and dunesA large area of the Breton coast is covered by dunes and sandy beaches. In Finistère this environment covers 20% of the coast-line and in Morbihan, 35%. The action of sea currents has deposited fine sand in the lowest and set back areas of the coast, to form beaches and then dunes. Under the combined action of wind and sea, the dunes evolve and move, sometimes threa-tening to engulf whole villages. It is thus of prime importance to preserve the grassy vegetation – the only way to fix the dunes. The marram grass (long and straight with deep roots), sand thistles, immortelles and bindweed constitute the traditional flora of dunes, together with maritime pines.

Abers* and RiasBrittany is also characterised by the abun-dance of rivers. Streaming over impermeable rocks, they cut deep, narrow enclosed valleys and enter the sea via long estuaries. In Léon, these river mouths are called abers. Further south they are called rias, such as the Etel ria. These estuaries are tidal and the effects are felt far inland (10 to 15 km for small rivers). For example, the movements of water have sculpted the wild countryside of the coast in north Finistère such as Aber Wrac’h, Aber Benoît and Aber Ildut. Naturally sheltered from strong swells, the abers and rias collect the finer sediments and mud. The mud flats are home to a specific flora and fauna – mud worms, cockles, razor clams and microscopic algae. The section of the coast affected by high tides and storms is covered with a special vegetation adapted to a saline envi-ronment (salicorne, sea asters, etc). This zone is sometimes used as pasture for sheep, such as the maritime meadows in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

The MarshlandsA coastal marsh is a non tidal wetland. The marshes are formed in depressions, behind a coastal belt of sand or stones, or a man-

made dyke. The degree of salinity of the water varies depending on infiltration of the sea underground and affects the vegetation and the fauna. The marshes are favoured nesting sites for many birds. Reed warblers, bitterns, moorhens, stilts and types of duck all nest here. They are also used by migratory birds who have no problems finding food in the shallow salty water. The reserve of Falguérec

at Sené, is particularly favourable for obser-ving these species. Some marshes were esta-blished by man for a specific purpose, the harvesting of salt. At Brière, traditional activi-ties such as hunting or fishing are carried out.

* aber = Breton word for river mouth, cf Welsh Aber - translator

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Argoat, A wooded LandscapeThe Heritage of Nature

Woodland BrittanyOriginally, Brittany was covered by an immense forest. The mild, damp climate and high levels of sunshine favoured the growth of a wide variety of trees: oak, beech, horn-beam, chestnut and conifers. But gradually, the Roman colonisers, followed by the Abbey monks cleared the ground for farming. Later, trees were felled to build ships for the Navy and to produce charcoal for supplying the forges at Paimpont, Quénécan and Châteaubriant. Ultimately only 10% of the total woodland survived. Today the forests, mostly private, rarely exceed 2 000 ha. But the numerous woods located along the valleys or on the plateaus, and the embankments heavily planted with trees give the general impression of a wooded countryside.

Brocéliande, the legendary forestBrocéliande is the mythical name of the present day Forest of Paimpont located in the heart of Brittany. This forest, today extending over 7000 hectares, covered the old Province of Armorica until the Middle Ages. It is the source of many Celtic legends: Merlin and Viviane, King Arthur and his Knights in search of the Holy Grail, the White Lady, etc. The landscape within the forest is varied, for it is crossed by many geological faults and valleys, with a generous scattering of ponds. Discover the mysteries of the Golden Tree, the Fairy’s Mirror, the Fountain of Barenton, and Merlin’s Tomb – all to be found in the forest.

The Breton Bocage*Brittany owes its wooded appearance to the Bocage. The typical quilted pattern of the Breton countryside was created by the network of embankments and small hedged fields. The acidity of the soils has lent the woods an original physio-gnomy: basically oak and beech groves interspersed with the occasional yew, a relic of the primeval forest. From the soil up to the highest branches live a plethora of animals and plants, each contributing to perpetua-tion of the forest.

The embankments, protectors of the land Dating from the Middle Ages, the network of embankments is the inheritance of gradual forest clearing. Combined with a ditch, the embankment mound ensures drainage and controls irrigation. The latter is of vital impor-tance for impermeable soils. By slowing down the water run-off, the embankments facilitate infiltration of water through the subsoil, and prevent erosion of soil from the slopes. The scrubland surrounding the culti-vated areas is home to a multitude of birds and mammals: partridges, rabbits, hares, etc. The flora is diverse and wild: broom, gorse, bluebells, foxgloves, each lending splashes of colour to the countryside. From January onwards the golden yellow gorse is in flower, followed by the broom in April and May.

Plateaus and mountainsExtending over 60 km, from Menez Hom up to the east of Gourin (in Finistère), the Black Mountains owe their name to the dense forest that once covered them. The bedrock is 330 millions years old and culminates at a height of 326 m. With the exception of

slate quarries and forestry, the Region has few resources, resul-ting in a massive exodus of the population. The Monts d’Arrée, culminating at 384 m, are a range of peaks separating Léon, in the north of Finistère and Cornouaille in the south, and occupy most of the Parc naturel régional d’Ar-morique. This wild and empty region, home to heaths and peat bogs, represents an archetypal image of magical Brittany.

The HeathCovered by low growing yet colourful vege-tation comprising gorse and heather, the heathland provides a picturesque spec-tacle. The natural habitat on the coast and the rocky summits of the Monts d’Arrée, the heath is also the result of drastic clearing of the primeval forest. In the past it was a source of food and bedding for farm animals. In poor

rural areas, broom was used to thatch roofs. In some places the heathland is of exceptional interest to natural historians, for example on the Crozon peninsula or the plateau of Lanvaux. But extensive heathland areas are rare. Most often they are fragmented and interwoven with farmland where the three types of countryside, woodland, the bocage and heaths are happily juxtaposed.

*Bocage – area of small fields and hedges, typical of Western France - translator

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Marked pathwaysGR: (Grande Randonnées – national long distance routes): marked in red and white, GRs are mainly linear routes, such as the coastal route (GR 34) which comprises a tour of Brittany.

GR de Pays: (local long distance routes): over the years, a number of loops have been added to the GRs and these are called GR de Pays, and to differentiate them from the national GRs, they are marked in yellow and red. An example is the Tour of the Brocéliande forest.

PR: (Promenade et Randonnée): (walking and hiking): routes of from one to 6 hours covering the entire territory. The range of PRs suits all tastes and all levels of ability. These routes are most frequently marked with a yellow line, such as that from the Côte d’Emeraude to Mené.

RamblingRambling is a very popular activity in Brittany with its 2500 km of pathways. These thousands of kilometres of marked pathways allow exploring the diversity of the Breton landscape: natural history sites, forests, chateaux and typical small towns, etc. By following the markers on the customs officers paths along the coast and the towpaths and rural tracks of the inte-rior, walkers, cyclists and horse riders can appreciate these preserved areas.

In the footsteps of the customs officersBrittany has 1300 kilometres of coastal paths. These footpaths, suitable for both energetic hiking and gentle strolls, cover almost the entire perimeter of the coast, from the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to Saint-Nazaire. The customs officers pathways were created during the French Revolution by the customs authorities for surveillance of the coast and to combat smuggling and the pillaging of shipwrecks. The Breton coast, on account of its rugged terrain with thousands of inlets and its sheer length was a favou-rite site for illegal landings of a vast range of smuggled goods. Thus until the start of the XXth century, hundreds of customs

officers walked the coastal paths, day and night in all weathers, seeking to intercept any illegal landing of goods. Today, the pathways once used by the customs offi-cers are protected sites, developed for walkers and hikers.

On the towpathsCrossing inland Brittany from east to west, a 360 kilometres pathway along the Nantes to Brest canal. Initiated by Napoleon, this project to unite Nantes and Brest by an inland waterway was completed in 1842. The towpath was created so that barges could be towed along by horses. Now it can be used by ramblers.

By bicycle or mountain bikeWhether you are a touring cyclist or a mountain biker, all the roads of Brit-tany are accessible to cyclists. There are several cycling paths or mountain bike routes cros-sing forests, woods or along lakesides. Many of the Brittany islands where cars are banned are havens for cyclists. These a r e c o n s e r v a t i o n sites for observing the local flora and fauna. In towns, cycle tracks allow inves-tigating the streets and alleyways and appreciating their historic heritage. Several Breton towns, such as Rennes, Brest, Lorient or Quimper are seeking to facilitate the use of bicycles in urban traffic zones.

On horsebackBrittany has 2000 km of bridlepaths, using marked routes. The “Equibreiz” bridlepath is marked with orange plastic markers. These are generally attached to trees or wooden posts. A dense network of equestrian centres offers rides along the coast or on the heaths. For the less sporting, these routes can be travelled in a carriage or a horse drawn caravan. After learning how to harness up and attach the horse, you can appreciate the diversity of the Breton landscape at the pace of a horse.

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LighthousesIn Brittany, lighthouses are symbols of maritime life. Brittany alone accounts for more than one third of all the lighthouses and fire towers illuminating the French coast. Braving currents and storms, these granite fortresses have, since the XVIIIth century, warned distant sailors of the dangers of this jagged coastline, bristling with treacherous rocks. Those of Finistère are the most mythical: Armen, La Jument, Kéréon, La Vieille...

The history of lighthousesFrom Ancient Times, Greeks and Phoenicians used lights to indicate dangerous passages. In France, warning markers along the coast-lines did not exist until the Middle Ages, since the policy was not to forewarn potential invaders and pillagers. Subsequently, some places were marked by simple wood fires. The first lighthouses were built in the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries but it was primarily in the XIXth century that their construction became the general rule. The oldest Breton lighthouse is that of Stiff, on Ouessant. Construction works commenced in 1685 on the orders of Vauban and the lighthouse was first lit up in 1700.

Lighthouse lightsLighting techniques have developed over the years thanks to various inventions. Coal fires were replaced by oil lamps placed in front of a spherical reflector, which was then in turn replaced by a parabolic mirror. But the most important innovation in terms of optics was that of the engineer Augustin Fresnel, inventor of a system of lens formations, still used today. This represented a veritable revolution which considerably increased the range of lighthouses, economising on precious fuel while increasing the luminous

power of the signals. Vegetable oil was replaced by new fuels: paraffin, gas and finally electricity. Today a modernisation programme is in progress with the aim of developing renewable energy from wind and the sun.

The construction challengeSome lighthouses were built under incredible conditions on rocks that were submerged at high tide, and in locations affected by strong currents and fierce storms. The lighthouse at Armen, the most legendary of all, is built on a rock which emerges to a height of just 1.50 metres at low tide, right in the middle of the Raz de Sein. When time allowed, the construction workers drilled a hole for the future anchoring bars. The first year they drilled only 15 holes and only 34 the next year. Throughout the whole of the year 1870, they could only work for 8 hours and for 6 hours in 1873. The construction of Armen was to take 14 years. Construc-tion of the lighthouse known as the Jument, near Oues-sant, was to take 7 years.

Automation of lighthousesToday, almost all lighthouses are automated. The first were Armen in 1990, the Jument in 1991, followed by the Pierres Noires lighthouse in 1992. An isolated lighthouse out at sea is considered as being auto-mated when no direct human intervention is needed for its operation. The tales of the lighthouse keepers, previously an extremely difficult and restrictive occupation, are beco-

ming part of history. The job of the keeper is now to monitor the automated systems and inter-vene in the case of failure. Their duties include maintenance of the lighthouse and its surroun-dings, providing radio links and weather reports.

Visits to lighthousesToday, there are still 80 lighthouses emitting their signals along the Breton coast. Although they are no longer inha-

bited, a few can still be visited. The last of the lighthouse keepers open up the major lighthouses to visitors on account of their love of the job. Amongst the best known open to visitors are: Saint-Matthieu, Trézien, the Ile Vierge, the Stiff, Créac’h... The latter, on the île d’Ouessant, has one of the most powerful lights in the world, with a range of 120 km in clear weather. The old engine room still houses the museum of lighthouses and buoys.

Buoys and sea markersFor all those who navigate at sea, lighthouses, buoys and sea markers constitute part of the marine landscape. Buoys are fixed or floating markers allowing sailors to identify their position when navigating in sight of the coast and thus avoiding many hazards. Bell towers, water towers, lighthouse towers are all fixed objects visible from the sea whose location is marked on marine maps and these are known as sea markers.

Visits to lighthouses are subject to preliminary authorisation by the local Public Works Departments.

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History of the canalsCuriously, in a region surrounded on all sides by the sea, river navigation preceded the conquest of the oceans. The Ille-et-Rance canal, which links the English Channel to the Atlantic, and the Nantes-Brest canal were commissioned by Napoleon to limit the effects of the English blockade along the French coast. The long and arduous construction work was performed by prisoners of war and convicts. Until the arrival of the railway, the canals were used to trans-port goods on sailing boats and barges pulled by horses driven along the towpaths.

From freight to pleasure craftUp to the second world war the ports of Redon, Hennebont, Dinan, or Port-Launay were enlivened by heavy river traffic. At the crossroads between two worlds, the maritime and the river, the quaysides in these ports were transit points for goods such as sand, stone, wood and fertiliser. River navi-gation thus made a great contribu-tion to the expansion of the major commercial seaports in Brittany.Between the two world wars increased competition from the railway and the appearance on the roads of the first trucks heralded the decline of river navigation. River tourism succeeded the transport of freight, giving the Breton waterways a new lease of life.

The Breton river networkToday, Breton rivers and canals constitute a network of more than 600 km of navigable waterways reserved for leisure activities and boating. There are two main routes.

- The English Channel-Ocean link: running north-south and comprising the maritime Rance, the Ille–et-Rance canal, the canalised section of the river Vilaine and the maritime Vilaine, which in turn runs through Dinan, Rennes, Redon and Roche-Bernard.- The Nantes-Brest canal: covering 360 km and running from east-west along in turn the Erdre, the Isac, the Oust, and the Aulne. On leaving Lorient, a cruise along the Blavet, the eastern section of the Nantes-Brest canal and the Erdre allows exploring Josselin and Redon before reaching Nantes. From the far point of the Brest roadways, it is possible to travel up the Aulne

and the western section of the Nantes-Brest canal to Châteaulin and Carhaix-Plou-guer. Between Pontivy and Hennebont, the Blavet canal joins the Nantes-Brest canal at Guerlédan. The lake at Guerlédan is a huge expanse of water 12 kms long, where various nautical sports are practised. Beaches and banks have been constructed along the lake leading to the Nantes-Brest canal.

Navigation on the waterwaysSeven hire companies offer routes departing from Dinan, Hédé, Messac, Redon, Rohan, Pontivy, La Roche-Bernard and Sucé-sur-Erdre. No licence is required to pilot these boats on the Breton canals. On arriving at the starting point, the boat hire company welcomes its customers, installing them onboard, followed by an initiation in opera-ting the craft. The journey proceeds at a slow pace passing through locks, frequently operated by lock-keepers – with no lock fees. The towpaths along the canals mooring and visiting the surrounding sites and villages.

Themed routes can be offered, for example “a River and Gastronomy“ tripor “Rivers – Cities of Art“.

Breton CanalsThe

From one bank to anotherOn the banks of rivers and canals, there are various sites included the from “From one bank to the other“ scheme, offering leisure activities based around the waterways. These sites, classified as 1,2 or 3 “dragonflies“, comply with a visitor quality charter awarded depending on their tourist attractions and the type of facilities and services offered. Walking tours, nautical activities, games for children, picnic areas, heritage sites to visit and various local services are offered to pleasure boaters who can enjoy stopovers on dry land.

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Brittany of ChateauxThe

Chateaux and enclosuresBrittany has 4000 chateaux, manors and stately homes built in the Middle Ages, the Renais-sance or subsequent centuries. For a long time ravaged by feudal struggles during the Middle Ages, Brittany was the site of many bloody battles to repulse French or English invaders. Over the centuries, a defensive ring of castles was constructed. These fortresses, always built in granite, are the witnesses to an era, and are distinguished by their architectural diversity.

The Brittany MarchesFrom the Middles Ages, a dense network of castles was built up along the border between the Duchy of Brittany and the Kingdom of France. The fortresses, called the Brittany Marches, constituted a powerful line of defence against the many external threats. Villages were founded and flourished in the shelter of these fortresses. Following the historical route of the Brittany marches allows exploring the military fortresses of Fougères, Vitré, Chateaubriant, Ancenis, Nantes and Clisson.

Coastal fortificationsAlong the entire coastline, old maritime fortresses are witness to the eventful centu-ries when Brittany was forced to protect itself from attack by the English Navy. Most consti-tute part of the Breton coastal defences esta-blished by Vauban under the reign of Louis XIV. From the Fort Nationale at Saint-Malo to the Château du Taureau at Morlaix, via Fort la Latte at Fréhel, the fortifications are arranged

along the coast, covering every strategic point. On the southern coast the citadel of Port Louis protects the entrance to the Lorient roadways, and the Vauban citadel at Belle-Île controls entry to the port of Palais. The latter has all the traditional features of coastal fortifications with its bastions and demilunes.

The châteauxof great familiesThe Residences and Chateaux of the Dukes of Brittany are remains marked

by the history of the Duchy. At the time of the Renaissance, rich Breton aristo-crats had luxurious residences built such as the Chateau de Kerjean in Finis-tère. A few other great families also constructed defensive edifices on their land, but frequently they preferred small fortified manor houses, the fiefs of local lords who protected their modest estates.

Literary ChateauxMany Breton chateaux are proud to have been owned or occupied by famous writers. The French writer François-René de Chateaubriand, for example, spent some of his childhood at the Chateau of Combourg, bought by his father in 1761. This Chateau, now known as “the Cradle of Romanticism“, is still owned by the family. The Chateau of Rochers-Sévigné at Vitré is the place where the Marquise de Sévigné retired following the death of her husband. From there she wrote 267 letters to her daughter, Mme de Grigan, which can be read as the Lettres de Madame de Sévigné.

The Route of the Dukes of BrittanyFrom the Middle Ages, Brittany retains several Chateaux built during the age of the Duchy, today linked by the Dukes of Brittany route. It crosses Morbihan and allows exploring the chateaux of Rochefort-en-terre, La Roche-Bernard, Suscinio, Vannes, Pontivy, Josselin, Comper and Crévy.

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Brittany Cities of Art

An urban traditionLittle is known of the urban tradition in this maritime and agricultural land. Yet it dates from the XIth century, and for some cities, from the Middle Ages. There are four gene-rations of towns:- towns from the Gallic-Roman age, such as Rennes and Vannes,- the religious towns growing up around the monasteries founded in the high Middle Ages,- feudal towns, established close to a Chateau, peopled by nobles, monks and craftsmen,- coastal towns, appearing at the time of the great discovery of the Americas.All these towns enjoyed a renaissance under the Ancien Regime with the dramatic expansion of the textile industry (yarn, cloth, sail cloth). The conflicts with England, the importing of cotton and increased use of steamships resulted in the decline of many towns. To the coastal towns of the Middle Ages were added the resorts, fishing ports and towns involved in the preserving industry of the XIXth century, such as Port Louis or Concarneau. Today these towns represent an important aspect of the riches of the Breton architectural heritage.

Cities of ArtThere are two Breton Associations acting as ambassadors for cultural and heritage tourism, now expanding in Brittany to supplement the coastal resorts and sports tourism. The first is the Union des Villes

d’Art et d’Histoire et des Villes historiques de Bretagne, and the second the Asso-ciation des Petites Cités de Caractère de Bretagne. The Cities of Art are grouped by locality: the Brittany Marches, Vanne-tais, Pays Gallo, Cornouaille, Léon, Trégor. These towns regularly organise medieval fetes, Son et Lumiere shows with specta-cular lighting-up of their built heritage, or traditional Breton cultural or creative arts festivals.

The Towns of Art and HistoryThe Towns of Art and History – approved by the French Ministry of Culture – number 10: Auray, Concarneau, Dinan, Fougères, Nantes, Quimper, Rennes, Saint-Malo, Vannes et Vitré. Incorporated in the Union des Villes d’Art et d’Histoire de Bretagne, they are bound by a common charter to preserve and enhance their architectural and cultural heritage. Tourist and cultural activities are organised depending on the artistic and historical riches of the communes, with a view to bringing the heritage to life.

Historic TownsThe Union bretonne des Villes d’Art et d’Histoire also incorporates the Historic Towns of Chateaubriant, Dol-de-Bretagne, Henne-bont, Landerneau, Lannion, Pontivy, Port-Louis, Quim-perlé, and Saint-Pol-de-Léon, these are the nine ‘historic’ towns. These Cities of Art, like the Cities of Art and History, but not yet awarded the label, have a well maintained and well preserved urban heritage.

The Small Towns of CharacterThe Small Towns of Character are generally old towns whose commercial or adminis-trative role, or the importance of their crafts disappeared or declined following the Indus-trial Revolution. Today, these Small Towns are rural communes with a rich architectural heri-tage, incorporating ancient buildings, with

a manifest desire to ensure the upkeep, appreciation and enjoyment of that heritage. 19 have been listed to date: Bécherel, Châteaugiron, Châte-laudren, Combourg, Guerles-quin, Josselin, Jugon-les-lacs, La Roche Bernard, Le Faou, Lizio, Locronan, Malestroit, Moncon-tour, Pont-Croix, Pontrieux, Quintin, Rochefort-en-terre, Roscoff, and Tréguier.

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Modern Art in Brittany

Estelle SAMSON “Princesse de Bretagne“ Prix Arts et Saveurs 2007

Brittany has welcomed and inspired artists for many generations and conti-nues to be a source of creativity for modern day artists. The region under-takes a variety of activities each year with local associations to give visitors a rich artistic and cultural experience wherever they may stay or visit.

City ArtIn collaboration with the Association of small characteristic Cities of Brittany the Region hosts artists from abroad. Each year a group of artists from the same country stays and paints in the region. Their art is then exhi-bited in the region and then in Paris and finally in their own country. Publishing house Ouest-France produces a catalogue of the exhibition with profiles on the artists while Credit-Mutuel Bank funds the purchase of certain items. Until now both Russian and Chinese artists have participated.

New WaveInspired by “Art in the City“ the Brittany Tourist Board and the New Wave Resorts launched a new initiative “Objectif Nouvelle Vague“ in 2006. This project invites a group of overseas photographers to gain a unique insight into Brittany and in particular it’s New Wave Resorts. Their stay results in a travelling photography exhibition both in Brittany and in the photographers own country. Photo-

graphers from Scot-land and Germany were hosted in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

The Art of Gastronomy CompetitionOrganised by the Association of “Tables et Saveurs“ of Brittany this competition allows artists to express their interpretation of the art of gastronomy in the creative medium of their choice. The winner receives a dotation and has their work printer as postcards and in the Associations Restaurant Guide “Tables et Saveurs de Bretagne“. As such the compe-tition promotes the various flavours and creative inspiration found in Brittany.

France as seen through the eyes of young talentThe French Government Tourist Office in the US started this programme in order to promote France’s culture and heritage and in particular that of the Brittany, Provence and Alsace regions. Brittany hosts 3 young artists from the top American schools of art. During their stay they visit the region and create two pieces of art representative of what they have seen, which are then exhibited in the US. To date painters and video producers have been hosted.

But alsoa creative dynamics …...which makes of Brittany a strong area of contemporary artistic creation. Art in the islands, Art in the camp-sites, Art in the hotels, Art in the chapels… as many actions carried out by the Brittany Tourist Board or of associations independent working to promotion of art and Brittany.

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GolfThanks to 35 years experience, Brittany is the fifth largest region in France for Golfing holidays and offers a diverse selec-tion of high quality courses along its coast and throughout its countryside.

A variety of fairwaysDesigned by renowned professionals, the variety and balance of the fairways give each Breton course its unique character and perso-nality. Challenging for experienced golfers and enjoyable for beginners the courses allow each player to enjoy this thought-provoking, relaxing, dynamic sport. The fact that 21 of Brittany’s 35 golf courses are eighteen-hole courses is a further quality assurance that guarantees all golfers a memorable expe-rience.

Beautiful surroundingsOver and above the pleasure of playing golf Brittany’s courses also offers players a variety of stunning settings. On the coast such as Belle-Ile-en-Mer or Dinard not far from the sea spray, or amidst the historic and culture grounds of chateaux such as Rochers-Sévigné or Rimaison. In rougher areas woodland and water (lakes and streams make the round of golf more theatrical and indeed unique. Moreover, some courses turn potential modern day obstacles into an advantage for example ecologic irrigation, a book of fauna and flora, nature observation points and as such become environmental sanctuaries in their own right.

High quality hospitalityTo add to the charm of their courses most of the Golf Club Houses in Brittany also extend a warm welcome to visitors.

Le Bretagne Golf PassThe Free Brittany Golf Pass gives all players 20% off green fees, year round. For further informa-tion see www.brittnay-best-breaks.com

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GastronomyCombining aspects of “Armor“ the lands-cape of the sea and “Argoat” the lands-cape of woodlands, Breton gastronomy has over the years benefited from all the riches offered by the natural environ-ment. Great travellers, the Bretons also enhanced their traditional cuisine by using spices and products brought back from the four corners of the globe. Breton cuisine is characterised by its simplicity and the quality of products used.

Salted butterSalted butter is a vital ingredient in Breton cuisine, notably in the traditional patisserie, the Breton Gateaux. Breton butter, salted with sea salt evokes the rich Breton pasturelands.

Typical dishesCrepes and “galettes” [buckwheat pancakes]Typical Breton specialities, crepes and galettes come in a wide variety of tastes and textures, depending on the regions. The main diffe-rence resides in the composition of the batter. The galette is prepared using buckwheat. These are savoury pancakes garnished with ham, cheese and mushrooms. Crepes are prepared using wheat flour and are sweet.

They are usually washed down with cider or a special type of milk (“lait Ribot”). The Breton Far and Kouign-amannThe Breton Far is a flan based on eggs and milk. Available in many versions, the Farz Forn remains the most well known. For example, rum or plum liqueur can be added to the batter. Cinnamon and vanilla may be used to lend a hint of exoticism to this homely pudding. From

an original recipe of Douarnenez, Kouign-amann means “Butter Cake”. It is made from risen dough, with the incorporation of salted butter, using the same method as for flaky

pastry. The quality of the salted butter and the time the dough is allowed to rest are vital elements in the successful preparation of this Gateau.

Fish and seafoodThanks to its extensive coastline and the multitude of fishing ports, Brittany reaps the harvest of the sea. Shellfish are the flagship of Breton cuisine. Many varieties live on the beach strands, such as razor shells, “palourdes” and “praires” (types of clam), cockles, whelks, ormers, prawns and shrimps. Mussels are cultivated on special hurdles, known as “bouchots”, together with varieties of oyster, depen-ding on the region. In deeper waters Coquille Saint-Jacques, langoustines and lobsters are caught. Brittany is also home to a variety of edible crabs, such as the so called “sleepy“ crab, the green crab, the velvet and the spider crab.The Breton coast teems with hundreds of species of fish. During fish auctions at ports there may be sardines, pollack, mackerel, bass, angler fish, sole, place, ling, hake, skate, conger eel, turbot, bream, wrasse, whiting...And the Breton rivers contain many fresh water fish such as salmon, trout or the carni-vorous species...

Breton beveragesCider: After picking, the apples are stored in canvas bags, sorted and piled up according to the variety, sweet or bitter. Cider can be sparkling, traditional, dry or sweet. The cider of Cornouaille was the first product from Brit-tany to be awarded “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” status, taking into account criteria such as the number of hours of sunshine, the rainfall, the altitude etc. The regions of Foues-nant, Hennebont, or Val de Rance and others also produce good quality cider. Breton beer: The brewing tradition in Brittany goes back to the XVII century. Thanks to renewed interest from young brewers, small scale production of artisan beers has survived. The best known Breton brands are Coreff de Morlaix, Lancelot, the buckwheat beer Telenn Du and the wheat beer Blanche Hermine.

Chouchen: The Breton name for mead. This liqueur is known as “chemillard“ in Gallic regions and “chouchen“ in Brittany. An alco-holic drink based on honey and water with the addition of yeast, mead ferments rapidly but acquires its flavour slowly. Pommeau: This liqueur aperitif is made by combining sweet cider at the start of its fermentation with apple brandy, in the proportions 2/3 to 1/3. Pommeau lives up to the promise of its golden hue: a flowery flavour with the sweetness of apples and warmth of the sun.

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Islands The

The Breton Islands, rocky and windswept, offer a wealth of exceptional sites. Those in the far west are exposed to the most violent storms and are home to sparse, poor vegetation. The number of hours of sunshine on the Islands exceeds that on the Breton mainland, and the rain-fall is lower. The reason is simple: the Islands are not high enough to force the air to rise. Depressions pass above the Islands without depositing any rain. This microclimate is often manifested by the presence of exotic species.

The Islands of the English ChannelBatz and BréhatIn the north of Brittany, Batz and Bréhat enjoy an exceptionally mild microclimate. The Ile de Batz, 4 km long and 1 km wide, has tropical gardens. Market garde-ning is carried out on the island’s some thirty or so farms, speciali-sing in choice early vegetables. Bréhat, the “Island of Flowers” is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide. The tides are constantly redefining this archipelago of pink rocks, located facing the Point of Arcouest, near Paimpol. The palm trees, mimosas, eucalyptus or fig trees are evidence of the almost Mediterra-nean mildness of the climate.

The Islands of the sea of IroiseOuessant and MolèneComposed of seven islands and some ten islets, the archipelago of Molène and of Ouessant, with the sea of Iroise, is classi-fied by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. The Ile d’Ouessant is constituted of a rocky plateau, 30 to 65 m high, hollowed out to form a deep bay on the south west. Its approaches are feared by sailors on account of the danger the area repre-

sents, with innumerable rocks and violent currents. They are the subject of folklore: “He who sees Molène sees suffering, he who sees Ouessant sees his blood”. The lighthouses protec-ting these reefs are famous: Jument, Stiff, Créac’h. The Ile de Molène, just 1.2 km long and 800 m wide, is very flat and surrounded by white sandy beaches. A fishing fleet is based on the island, specialising in lobster and langoustes. The île de SeinThe Ile de Sein is a platform of sand and

rocks anchored 9 km off the Point of Raz. 2 km long, the total surface is less than 1 km², and the highest point lies just 6 metres above sea level. At the far westerly point of the island the Ar Men lighthouse rears up, a vital aid for sailors, given the difficulty of navigating around the island.

The Atlantic IslandsThe Glénan LagoonOpposite Fouesnant, this archipelago comprises eight main islands and a dozen islets. Famed for its sailing school and its unique species of daffodil, the only one in the world, the archipelago lies bathed in a sea of clear water. Ile de GroixLocated in southern Brittany, 14 km offshore from Lorient, the Ile de Groix is 8 km long and 3 km wide. This island, which at the begin-ning of the century was the largest tuna fishing port in France, is today an exceptional nature reserve. Belle île en merLocated 15 km offshore from Quiberon, Belle-Île, baptised Kalonessos (beautiful island) by

the Greeks, is the largest of the Breton islands. Its 84 km² offer a wealth of sights, and the island is a haven for wildlife. A plateau 20 km long, the island has a central ridge, with several valleys leading off to “ports”, small beaches tucked away in set-back inlets.

Houat and HoëdicHouat, a tiny island of 7.5 km, earns its living from shellfish and tourism. Even smaller (2.5 km long) than its neighbour, Hoëdic is low lying and sandy, with a scattering of reefs.

The Îles du PonantThe Breton islands are called the Iles du Ponant since they lie in the west, where the sun sets. Bathed by the English Channel or the Atlantic, they are among the few French islands not connected to the mainland by a bridge. They can be reached by boat in roughly an hour and a half, and by plane in just a few minutes.

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Breton Legends The

The Forest of brocéliande and Merlin the EnchanterBrocéliande is the mythical name for the existing Forest of Paimpont, located to the South West of Rennes. The remains of a vast forest covering the centre of the peninsula during the Middle Ages, it is the source of many Celtic legends. The Knights of the Round Table found the Forest a worthy setting for their destiny and mission. King Arthur summoned them to find the Holy Grail, hidden in the Brittany woods. Merlin the Enchanter, friend and advisor to the young Arthur, was a privileged guest in Brocéliande. The Fountain of Barenton marks his first encounter with the Fairy, Viviane. Merlin loved Viviane so much that he built for her, under the pool reflecting the Chateau de Comper at Concoret, a crystal citadel. The one also known as the Lady of the Lake brought up Lancelot, future member of Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table. Despite the great difference in their ages, the love of Viviane for the Enchanter was deep and loyal. But finally unable to bear the ravages of time, and using the magic she had learned from Merlin, Viviane bewitched him at the Fountain of Youth, restoring the youthful features of the old Druid. She then imprisoned him in perpetuity in nine magic circles, as solid as rock.

Tristan and IseultTristan, Prince of Léon was sent by his Uncle Marc, King of Cornouailles, to bring Iseult back from Ireland to marry Marc. On board the ship, Tristan and Iseult mistakenly drink a love potion intended to bind Iseult to her betrothed for ever. A passionate love develops between the pair. Endings to the story vary; in some versions Tristan is killed by Marc, enraged by his betrayal; in others Tristan marries and dies at his Chateau in Brittany. Whatever the outcome, Iseult invariably follows Tristan to the grave. Wagner’s opera and the book by Joseph Bédier both celebrate this great love drama.

The legend of YsThe city of Ys was drowned in the bay of Douarnenez. This powerful city, that once dominated all of Gaul, was governed by Gradlon, King of Cornouaille. Ys was protected from the sea by a dyke and gates, to which the King held the only set of keys. The old King was a widower and totally indulged his daughter Dahut. She grew up wild and engaged in debauchery, dragging the inhabitants of the town down with her. One day she even became the Devil’s mistress, who promptly ordered her to steal the keys to the dyke. That night, the Devil opened the sluice gates, and drowned the city. Warned by Saint Guénolé, Gradlon was just in time to flee on horseback, taking his daughter with him. But the Saint ordered him either to abandon her – or die with her. In the end, Gradlon gave way and escaped. The place where he abandoned his daughter is called Poul Dahud (Pouldavid), the Gulf of Dahut. The legend states Dahut lives on as a Siren, in the sunken city beneath the waves. Sometimes the fishermen hear her singing or ringing the bells.

The legend of AnkouThe relationship between the Bretons and death is profoundly influenced by the Celtic heritage, and surrounded by many legends and rites of passage. The Ankou, represented by a skeleton holding a scythe, is frequently sculpted on tombs. The tradition has it that he wanders at night in a creaking chariot. Those who hear the sound or worse, meet him are doomed. The door to the cold and misty hell where Ankou waits for the dead is located somewhere in Yeun Ellez, part of the Monts d’Arrée.

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Tides The

The phenomenon of the tidesThe tide, the daily movement of the sea, is a universal phenomenon. For a long time, our ancestors believed this event was governed by the gods or some other dark forces. Newton’s law of universal attraction and the work of scientists such as Laplace or Poincaré proved from the XVIIth century that tidal movements were caused by physical forces: that is, of the moon and sun on the earth. The moon acts as a magnet on the oceans. Its force of attrac-tion is twice as strong as that of the sun, on account of its greater proximity. The actions of the sun and mood combine in a variety of ways, depending on their relative positions.

The rhythm of the tidesIn Brittany, the sea advances and retreats twice a day with a time shift of 50 minutes each day. When the moon is above the sea, it attracts the water towards it and so the sea level rises and the tide comes in. Six hours later, the moon is no longer above the sea and the force of attraction disappears. The tide then goes out. The power of the force varies depending on the positions of the sun and moon respec-tively in relation to the earth. When the three are aligned the attraction is at its peak. This is the time of the high tide. During this period the sea advances and retreats the farthest. This event occurs every fortnight, on the day of the full or new moon. In Brittany the very highest tides occur in March and September, coinciding with the equinoxes.

The highest tides in EuropeBesides the effect of the sun and moon, the shape of the coastline strongly influences the extent of tidal move-ments. On account of its geographical configuration, the coastline of the English Channel experiences the most extreme tides in Europe. The height of the tide, the variation in level from when the tide is in or out, is exceptional in Brittany, where the highest tides in Europe are recorded, for example 5.45 m at Penmarc’h, 12 m in the Bay of Saint-Malo and more than 16 m in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, whereas the average worldwide is just 2 m.

Tide tablesThanks to the tide tables, professionals and amateurs alike can assess the extent of tidal movements and so avoid unpleasant surprises when the tide comes in. The scale ranges from 20 (lowest tide) to 120 (highest tide). A high tide is one with a score of 95, but it is mainly when the score exceeds 100 that onshore fishermen flock to the area of beach uncovered when the tide is far out, to collect crabs, shrimps and shellfish. Practised using a simple rake, knife or net, no permit is required by those

fishing for their own consump-tion. The tide table is thus vital for planning any excursion at sea or along the coastal strand.

Tidal mills Pioneers of engineering ingeniousness, Breton peasants built the so-called “blue water” tidal mills. The extreme tidal move-ments and the special configuration of the coastline favoured the proliferation of these mills which used natural tidal energy to mill grain. Some tidal mills can still be found in Brittany.

In the footsteps of the pilgrims, crossing the Bay of Mont-Saint-MichelMont-Saint-Michel and its Bay have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites on account of their cultural and environmental interest. The highest tides in Europe encircle the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, primarily in March and September. When the sea covers the strand, the locals say the sea advances at the speed of a galloping horse. The incoming tide covers a distance of 25 km. Crossing the bay on foot, in the traditions of the first pilgrims allow exploring the riches of this exceptional site. It is essential to be accompanied by a guide and to wear suitable clothing.

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MegalithsThe mystery of the megalithsHumans have occupied Armorica since the Palaeolithic era. Living originally as hunter gatherers, the population became settled in the Neolithic period (around 4500 BC), gradually mastering the techniques of raising livestock, cultivating crops and buil-ding. This was the civilisation that created the tradition of standing stones. Most of the megaliths (dolmens, tumulus, and menhirs) were constructed between 4500 and 200 BC. With almost 3000 standing stones spread over several sites, Carnac displays some of the greatest vestiges of megalithic art.

DolmensDolmens, meaning long stones in Breton, were once used as collective sepulchres. They comprise monumental stones raised as basic stone tables, covered alleyways or corri-dors leading to a mortuary chamber. Some dolmens are decorated with various motifs: idols, snakes, crosses or axes, and elaborately engraved, such as the one at Gravinis, in the Gulf of Morbihan. Initially they housed some 15 dead, perhaps all members of the same family, or eminent personages, but by the end of the Neolithic, they sometimes accom-modated the bones of hundreds of people. The dolmens had a cultural purpose and were associated with funerary rites celebrating the passage from life to death. Frequently they were established at remote sites, thus rein-forcing the secret nature of these rites.

Tumulus and cairnsA tumulus is a mound of earth and stones covering a mortuary chamber. The internal structure is in wood and small stone slabs. Within the family of collective sepulchres, the most highly structured is the cairn, constructed using stone blocks forming dry stone walls. This juxtaposition of compart-ments indicates that cairns were the sites of various types of cere-mony. Tumulus and cairns, generally constructed at sites visible from afar, were of symbolic importance, and the central point of the community. That of Er-Grah, at Locmariaquer in Morbihan is one of the largest, almost 200 m long.

MenhirsFrom the Breton word meaning standing stones, menhirs are even more numerous and mysterious than the dolmens. Isolated or in groups, they may be arranged in a straight line, in alignment or in a circle. Their size ranges from a few centimetres to more than twenty metres. The spacing between the stones, their orientation and the outline they define was certainly of ritual or astronomic signifi-cance. Reference has been made to religious rites linked to the cult of fertility, or ceremonies in honour of the sun, etc. Their location does not appear to be the result of random hazard, but fulfils a real function. The alignments at Carnac, for example, appear to indicate the positions of the sun throughout the year.

Advanced technology The construction of the mega-liths implies the existence of effi-cient technical resources. Some of the stones, such as the great menhir of Locmariaquer, weigh 350 tonnes ; the average stones exceed 50 tonnes. They had to be extracted from the ground and transported several kilometres to be raised at the desired site. They were moved using simple systems of logs, ropes, levers and inclined surfaces.

The cairn of GavrinisLocated on an islet of some 15 hectares in the Gulf of Morbihan, the cairn of Gavrinis is acknowledged as the finest in the world in terms of the richness of its decoration. This cairn, 100 m long and 8 m high, covers a great corridor dolmen, forming a gallery 14 m long and 1.50 m wide leading to a square funerary chamber. The beauty of this monument, dating from the 4th century BC, indicates it was probably a royal sepulchre.

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Sailing in BrittanyWhether for competitions, regattas or simple sailing trips, Brittany is an ideal location for water sports and activities, thanks to its 3500 kilometres of coastline, broken up into creeks, inlets, roadways and bays, together with its many rivers and lakes. Today there are 120 sailing schools and 230 water sports centres. Throughout the year, from regattas to sailing instruc-tion sessions, Brittany’s sailing schools and clubs offer a vast range of activities: single and double sailing dinghies, catamarans, sailboarding, funboarding, group and pleasure trip boats.

Other water sportsand activitiesIn addition to sailing, other nautical activi-ties are enjoying increasing popularity: - Rowing on rivers and the sea: solo or as a team, rowing is possible on all types of water: rivers, canals, lakes and along the coast. - Sea and river canoe-kayaking: rivers are classified according to their degree of diffi-culty. At sea, the wind speed and swell must be taken into account before embarking on any excursion. - Sand yachting and speed sailing: these sports are carried out on the beach.- Diving and undersea sports: to explore the depths of the Breton seas, the algae, fish and shellfish, centres awarded the “Plongée Label Bretagne“ [Breton Diving Label] offer taster sessions, photographic and ecology courses, visits to shipwrecks, etc.- Surf and bodyboard: Cap Fréhel, Dossen, Petit Minou, Palue, Torche, Guidel

or the Presqu’île de Quiberon are acknowledged sports centres open throughout the year in Brittany for surfing, long board, body board, skim board, body surf etc. However, these technical disciplines require a good knowledge of the water, the type of wave “sand, rock, reef“, of the wind “off shore, on shore“, of the currents and the ability to swim well in the sea.

Bretagne Stations Nautiques[Brittany Nautical Centres]“Bretagne Stations Nautiques” is the new name given to the association of “Stations Voile” (Sailing Centres). There are 7 in Brit-tany: Saint-Malo, Saint-Cast Le Guildo, Pléneuf-Val André, Perros-Guirec, Crozon-Morgat, Fouesnant-Baie de la Forêt and Pays de Lorient. These are professional organisations of various types providing services for the public. They offer a range of disciplines and supervised activities throu-ghout the year. The label is awarded on the basis of the activities and professional qualifications of the instructors.

Point Passion Plage[Beach equipment/training advisory centres]The Point Passion Plage network currently comprises 37 service points spread along the entire Breton coastline, from Cancale to the Rhuys Peninsula. A Breton initiative since adopted by other regions, the centres were created to complement the activities of the Stations Nautiques, by helping the public access high performance but safe nautical equipment and services. Profes-sionals are on hand to offer guidance on hiring or on the courses most suited to individual requirements.

MarinasThe first nautical facilities with jetties, pontoons and mooring basins date from the 1960s, with the establishment of Port Haligen, in Quiberon and Trinité-sur-Mer. Today Brittany offers 52 000 moorings, that is 33 000 on pontoons and 18 000 other moorings.

Some famous Breton racesSpi Ouest-France at Trinité sur Mer (Easter week-end)The Obelix Trophy at Bénodet (1st week-end in May)The Québec-St Malo (every 4 years)The Route Du Rhum, solo transatlantic, from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre (November, every 4 years)

Water sports and Activities

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Parks and gardens

The great navigators of the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries brought back from the New World, unknown delicate plants which soon became fully acclimatised. Breton gardens enjoy a fairly mild climate, so many delicate species were able to establish themselves and flourish. Many contemporary gardens are home to plants from Australia, Chile or New Zealand.

Parcs et JardinsThe heritage of Breton parks and gardens has been restored for public enjoyment. The gardens are examples of architectural gardening styles in favour during a parti-cular epoch: - Physic gardens with groups of flowers and plants dating from the Middle Ages, such as the Gardens of Brocéliande.- Formal gardens at imposing stately homes, well preserved despite all the changes and restructuring. These can be explored at the same time as you discover “The Brittany of Châteaux”. Mention may be made of the Château de Kergrist, the park at the Château de Bienassis, the gardens of the Château de La Ballue, the floral park of Haute Bretagne at the Château de la Foltière.- Botanical gardens, created recently, with facilities for reviving the tradition of acqui-ring and acclimatising exotic plants. Exam-ples are the exotic gardens of Roscoff, the

botanical garden of Cornouaille, the gardens of Rospico.- Public gardens, with their lands-caped style and plant collections, expressing French savoir-faire. The Parc du Thabor in Rennes is a perfect example.

Towns and villages in bloomBreton Towns and Villages in Bloom Many Breton towns and villages take great care in planning and plan-ting their public gardens and open spaces. The efforts made every year to maintain the floral displays attract tourists to the Communes in Bloom. This mobilisation of resources, with residents embarking on community projects, contri-butes to the promotion of tourism sensitive to local culture and traditions. The Towns and Villages in Bloom competitions, created initially to reward the efforts of local authorities in providing floral displays, are now a vehicle for promoting and encouraging initiatives for the development of open spaces to enhance local lifestyles. The impact of floral displaysFloral displays contribute to improving lifestyle, with the development of private and public landscaped open spaces. They are part of the global policy of environ-mental improvement. They help convey an image of the Commune, of which they constitute a vital part. They can act as an effective communication tool, in parti-cular in the domain of tourism, since they are a tourist attraction in their own right, and reflect the quality of the welcome extended to visitors. Floral displays have an effect that may be:

- economic through spin off and employment created in the horticul-tural and landscaping sectors, and tourism.- social, since they act as a

federating force, a factor for social cohesion.- educational by raising the awareness of the very young to the need for respect of the environment and efforts to improve lifestyle.

Parks and GardensCarefully selected for their beauty, their welcome and opening to the public, 34 parks and gardens offer a fragrant and colourful range of walks.

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Religious heritage The

Saint-Yves, the patron of the BretonsYves Helory de Kermartin was born in 1253 at Tréguier. Raised as a Christian, he was appointed an ecclesiastical judge at 27 years of age. He was the advocate of the humble and poor, but death interrupted his noble works at the age of 50. Yves de Kermartin was canonised in 1347 by Pope Clément VI who made him one of the rare official Breton saints. As patron of lawyers and jurists, his cult has extended throughout the whole of Europe and as far afield as America. After Sainte Anne, Saint Yves became the patron of Brittany in 1924 and the 700 year anniversary of his death will be celebrated in 2003.

Following the devastation of the Norman Invasion, from the ninth century onwards the religious revival in Brittany witnessed the flowering of Roman Catholic abbeys and churches. From the XIIth to the XVth centuries, the patronage of the dynasty of the Dukes of Monfort and other members of the high nobility favoured the rebuilding of most cathedrals. Finally, between the XIVth and the XVIIIth centuries, many rural chapels and churches were constructed. This religious heritage is the expression of the religious fervour of the Breton people throughout the centuries.

The Parish EnclosuresOpening through a triumphal gate, the Enclo-sure is the link between the world of the living and that of the dead. Generally located around a cemetery, the Enclosure incorporated the church, the charnel-house and the Calvary. Since the area of the Enclosure and of the cemetery was restricted, the remains of the dead were regularly removed from the tombs in order to save room. The bones were placed in a special building called a charnel-house or ossuary. A Calvary is a granite monument with Christ on the Cross and various perso-nages from the Passion. Specifically Breton, it recounts episodes from the Holy Story and in former times was used by Curates for religious instruction. The Calvary is in some ways the development of the wayside crosses encoun-

tered in their thou-sands throughout the Breton countryside. The main Parish Enclo-sures are found in Finistère at Guimiliau, Lampaul-Guimiliau, Saint-Thégonnec, La Martyre, Commana, Sizun and Pleyben.

The pardonThe Pardon was the expression of popular devotion to a particular Saint, from whom grace or a pardon was requested. This patron’s fete, celebrating local saints each year saw the gathering together of the faithful in one or more parishes. The solemn mass was followed by a procession with banners, relics, statues and crosses carried by a cortège singing the canticles. The ceremony terminated with a secular fête, involving dancing, music and traditional games. The Pardon of Sainte Anne d’Auray is one of the most popular in Brittany.The ceremony of the Pardons of the Sea was a little different, since once the procession arrived at the port, the clergy, children and reliquaries went on board a boat. The Priest then blessed all the vessels in the port, as during the Pardon Ceremony of Saint-Jacques at Locquirec (Finistère), or the Benediction of the Courreaux at Groix (Morbihan).

The Tro BreizThe seven founding saints are venerated in the most cele-brated of Breton pilgrimage, the Tro Breiz (tour of Brittany - in Breton). At least once in their lifetime, pilgrims must visit the tombs of the seven saints and the seven bishoprics: Samson at Dol, Malo at Saint-Malo, Briec at Saint-Brieuc, Tugdual at Tréguier, Pol-Aurélien at Saint-Pol-de-Léon, Corentin at Quimper and Patern at Vannes. The route, more than 500 kilometres long, is travelled on foot in 30 days, at a rate of 20 kilometres per day. Each cathedral exposes its relics and receives contributions from the pilgrims. In the XVIth century, more than 30 000 people a year set off on this pilgrimage. Once again in favour, this spiritual and cultural route today allows exploring the religious heritage of Brittany (on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, by car or coach).

The SaintsAs witnessed by the large number of sacred fountains, pilgrimages, votive offerings and chapels, the saints played an important part in daily life, a survival of Celtic polytheism. There are hundreds of saints, the most offi-cial being acknowledged by the clergy, the others by the inhabitants of the village where they were considered to be saints. The cult of Sainte-Anne has played a real part in the Breton consciousness. The saints offering protection can also be identified: Saint Fiacre and Saint Jacques respectively watch over gardeners and sailors, Sainte Barbe is the saint of fire fighters. The healing and veteri-nary saints protect man and animals against illness.

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Maritime Heritage The

FishingBreton fishermen, whether involved in coastal fishing deep sea fishing, factory fishing or fishing for shellfish have succeeded in adap-ting their trade and diversifying their products over the years. Small scale coastal fishing is the lifeblood of many of the smaller Breton ports. Small boats are used, staying out for a day or perhaps less than four hours between tides. Larger boats stay at sea for 10 to 15 days. Huge factory ships or deep freezing tuna fishing vessels roam even further, staying at sea for several months. These industrial giants sometimes land their catches at Concarneau or Lorient.

Oyster and mussel farmingOyster and mussel farming are also wides-pread activities. Oysters are cultivated in both north and south Brittany. The cultivation of mussels on “bouchots” (special hurdles) is

practised primarily in north Brittany.

The portsL o r i e n t , B r e s t , S a int-M alo and Roscoff are the major commercial ports in Brittany, with traffic in

excess of 500 000 tonnes being handled at each of them every year. Some small Breton fishing ports are famous for their speciali-

ties: the ports of the Pays Bigouden for langoustines, Concarneau for tuna, the port of Erquy, in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc is famed for its Coquille Saint Jacques...

Fish auctionsAuctions of freshly landed fish are held at the fishing ports. The auctioneer, the inter-mediary between the fisherman and the buyer, states the species, the weight, the size and the quantity of lots. The buyers, wholesalers, react depending on the local economic climate, the tonnages landed at other ports, quantities imported, etc. Once open to everyone, the auctions are now increasingly being reserved to professio-nals. When they do remain open to early morning visitors, it pays to be discreet. For example, the Saint-Malo auction is open to the public. Héliotika, the Sea Fishing Discovery Centre at Guilvinec, organises guided visits of the fish auction.

Seaweed gatherersSeaweed gatherers are sailors/fishermen specialising in the harvesting of seaweed. This very ancient trade is a tradition along the north coast of Finistère, a region with an abundance of seaweed. The gatherers collect the seaweed left on the beaches, or go out to sea on boats equipped with “scoubidous”, motorised mincing machines that chop up the seaweed. The harvest is landed at Lanildut, Europe’s main seaweed port. The algae are then dried and processed for use in the food and cosme-tics industries.

The old rigged shipsThe old rigged ships, originally designed for fishing or plying the coastal trade, are now used for tourism. The weight, shape and types of sails on these old vessels were adapted to the local fishing conditions. Thus a distinction can be made between sardine long-boats, Cancale fishing smacks, tuna dundees, langouste sloops, Paimpol schooners... Today

some have been restored or reproduced faithfully, such as the Cancalaise, the Reder Mor, the Recouvrance. These old rigged ships are feted during gatherings of traditional sailing vessels, such as that in Brest where every four years, the most beautiful rigged sailing ships from Brittany and the entire world are gathered together.

Concarneau Fishing MuseumLocated in the walled city of Concar-neau, and covering an area of 1500 m², the Fishing Museum illus-trates the history and techniques of fishing worldwide. From prehistoric times to the present day, the Museum describes, presents and explains the use and operation of fishing boats and equipment from every sea on the planet. There is also an exhibition on shipbuilding and fish preservation methods. The aim is to preserve and valorise the maritime heritage. The Museum has become a real centre for

information and documentation. The Fishing Museum is also the first floating museum in France, where visitors can board an authentic deep sea trawler, the Hémérica.

Maritime Heritage MuseumsMuseum of Ships and “Hell’s Workshops“ at DouarnenezHaliotika, Centre for the Discovery of Sea Fishing, Le Guilvinec Museum of the Compagnie des Indes at Port LouisMuseum of History and Ethnology at Port-Tudy, île de Groix Paimpol Muesum of the SeaMarine Farm, Museum of Oysters and Shellfish at Cancale

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Brittany of artistsThe

For more than 200 years, Brittany has provided great inspiration for artists and is one of the French regions most frequented by painters. At the start of the XXth century, many artists left their Paris studios during the summer to paint out of doors in Brittany. The inexhaustible variety of the coastal and interior lands-capes and also, the Bretons themselves with their customs, beliefs and legends fascinated artists. Artists’ colonies were established at Concarneau, Pont-Aven, Douarnenez, Camaret, Rochefort-en-Terre, Pont-Croix, Cancale, and Faouët... More solitary painters also made the reputation of less frequented sites, such as Plédéliac, Kerity, Clisson, or the Monts d’Arrée.A multitude of routes allows retracing the steps of painters fascinated by the riches of Brittany who, through their art, expressed their love of the region.

Gauguin and the Pont-Aven schoolDiscovered in the 1860s by an American painter, Pont-Aven became the residence for a colony of extremely cosmopolitan artists. The inns of this small town were populated by French, English, Danish, Finnish and Irish artists.The arrival of Paul Gauguin and his disciples at Pont-Aven, then at Pouldu marked a major turning point in the history of painting. Émile Bernard, Maxime Maufra, Henry Moret,

Charles Filiger and Paul Sérusier guided by their master, presented a new concept of representational art, manifesting a total break with most traditional practices. By creating this movement, called “syntheticism”, they opened up the way to an artistic movement that broke free of the academic principles. The Self Portrait of the Yellow Christ and the Green Christ by Gauguin, The Talisman by Sérusier, The Landscape at Pouldu by Filiger and Pont-Aven Under A Red Sky by Maufra are just a few examples of the celebrated works of the group.

The painters of the Emerald CoastSaint-Malo, Saint-Servan, Cancale and Dinan attracted painters from the 1860s: Eugène Isabey, Camille Corot, John Sargent and many others immortalised these historic sites on canvas. But it was mainly the coastline, between Dinard and Cap Fréhel, which gave rise to the most original works. At Saint-Briac, Paul Signac turned his back on the simplicity of impressionism and invented pointillism. Maurice Denis, the Jewish painter drew inspiration from the Ploumanac’h region and from Trégastel where he settled with his family. As for Picasso, he selected the theme of women playing on the beach to give free rein to his impressionism. Auguste Renoir, Émile Bernard, Edouard Vuillard, Henry Rivière, Bernard Buffet were all included in the 160 artists who have been seduced by the North Coast of Brittany.

Belle-Île and its paintersArriving to spend a few weeks at Belle-Ile, Claude Monet immortalised the rocky coast of the island in some forty paintings. Fasci-nated by the wild nature of the landscape, the master of impressionism sought to capture on canvas the atmospheric effects of a storm at sea. Following in the steps of Monet, Cottet, Matisse, Hélion, Gromaire, Vasarely and many others subsequently explored the island and in turn offered their impressions of the needle sharp rocks of Port-Coton, Port-Donant or Port-Goulphar.

The Brittany of Mathurin MéheutOf all the artists playing a fundamental role in the tradition of works of art inspired by Brittany, Mathurin Méheut appears as the artist of the century. Through his paintings, drawings and illustrations, his designs and ceramics, he presented incomparable yet authentic visions of daily life in Brittany during the first half of the XXth century.

Maxime MAUFRA Vue du Port de Pont-Aven, vers 1893, Musée

des Beaux-Arts de Quimper, (France).

Paul SERUSIER Le pardon de Notre-Dame-des-Portes à

Chateauneuf-du-Faou, vers 1894, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper, (France).

Maison de Marie Henry à PONT-AVEN

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Thalassotherapy The birth place of thalassotherapy, Brit-tany has an invigorating marine climate with bracing sea air, excellent for resto-ring fitness. Breton thalassotherapy centres, acknowledged for the quality of their facilities, offer all advanced treat-ment techniques exploiting the benefits of the ocean.

For thalassotherapy, come to BrittanyBenefiting from their exceptional location at the seaside, Breton centres are bound by a Quality charter. Located less than 300 m from the seafront, at favoured sites, each centre guarantees the quality of its treatments and equipment. They set the standards in

advanced treatment techni-ques. The facilities and equip-ment are inspected regularly by government officials. There are currently 13 thalassothe-rapy centres in Brittany: Saint-Malo, Dinard, Perros-Guirec, Roscoff, Douarnenez, Benodet, Carnac, Quiberon, Belle-île-en-Mer and Port Crouesty and three centres at La Baule.

Brittanythe source of good healthThe first evidence of “basic” thalassotherapy dates back to Antiquity. But it was not until 1897 that the biologist René Quinton esta-blished the physiological analogy between seawater and blood plasma. In 1899, Dr Louis Bagot confirmed the benefits of thalassothe-rapy by using it successfully in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, founding the first French thalassotherapy centre at Roscoff. But thalassotherapy did not become truly popular until 1964, with the creation of the Centre Louison Bobet, named after the famous cyclist. Since then public enthusiasm has soared, and the number of centres has expanded along the entire coastline.

“The sea washes away the ills of all mankind“ Euripides (420 BC)Thalassotherapy, which takes advantage of the climatic and care facilities in Brit-tany, is considered the most natural way of restoring fitness. At each centre, physi-cians and specialist personnel prepare personalised treatment programmes. The recommended average length of a thalassotherapy cure is 6 days. Treatment is provided by qualified physiotherapists and hydro-physiotherapists. Various tech-niques are offered: algae therapy (appli-cation of seaweed or seaweed baths), hydrotherapy (sea water spas, showers or baths), physiotherapy (massages, gym, rehabilitation in a room or swimming pool), sauna, seawater aerosol spray therapy. Thalassotherapy is indicated for restoring fitness, slimming, giving up smoking, relaxation and anti stress treat-ment, functional rehabilitation, post-natal care, beauty treatments, etc.

Seawater and seaweed spa treatmentsSeawater and seaweed are rich in active ingre-dients, concentrated mineral salts and oligo- elements. These elements facilitate the body’s absorption of enzymes, vitamins and hormones as well as cell renewal.The phyto - planktons and zoo - planktons widely present in sea water in particular allow the synthesis of antibiotic and antiviral subs-tances.Seawater is directly pumped from the sea into containers that are able to preserve its quality but it can only be kept for 24 hours to maintain all of its active ingredients. The seawater is then heated to 34°C as it is only above this tempe-rature that the ions in the water can penetrate the human body. The seaweed used in thalas-sotherapy is from Brittany and in particular the brown variety found on the seabed. Once washed and rinsed the seaweed is treated in order to preserver its active elements.

Spas the latest in well –being treatmentsBrittany’s enormous experience in thalas-sotherapy, the use of seawater in spa treat-ments, makes it a key player in the domain of sea water spas. The nine spa-hotels in Brittany all offer areas dedicated to absolute well-being in an intimate, refined, serene and calm atmosphere. A subtle mix of water perfumes zen-like music can be real havens ofpeace and tranquility which offer a series of relaxa-tion treatments,aromatherapy massages,

masks,seaweed and mud wraps... These techniques are inspired by ancient rituals and cures for the ultimate body and spirit rejuvenation.

A mild yet invigorating climateThe coast of the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean are characterised by relatively constant temperatures and relatively little seasonal variation. High winds and high seas make the climate lively and invigorating. Oceanic air is healthy and rich in mineral spray and aeroplankton. Thus the Brittany climate is favourable to restoring fitness and totally complements thalassotherapy treatments.

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Traditions The

The symbolsThe Breton flag: the “Gwenn ha Du“ (black and white) the Breton flag seen flying almost everywhere in Brittany was designed in 1925. It comprises 9 stripes, five black stripes symbolising the ancient regions or bishoprics of High-Brittany: Dol,

Nantes, Rennes, Saint-Brieuc and Saint-Malo, and four white stripes symbolising the four ancient regions or bishoprics of Low-Brittany: Cornouaille, Léon, Trégor and Vannetais. The top left of the flag is a quarter of ermine on a white background

Ermine: This small carnivorous mammal, the stoat, also known as the ermine on account of its winter coat, was used from an early date in heraldry, resem-bling a cross, generally with three lower points. The heraldic ermine is used in many

European countries. Adopted in Brittany by the line of the Dukes of Montfort, it is now consi-dered almost everywhere as the symbol of Brittany and is found in the Coats of Arms of many Breton towns today, on sign-boards and on many products.

The triskell: originating from the Greek “triskeles“ meaning with three legs. This decorative motif only reappeared in Brit-tany from the 1920s but was widely used

by the ancient Celts. The triskell can evoke the sun or perpetual motion. Very common today in the six Celtic countries, this decorative motif is used as the label of “Celticness“.

The Breton languageBreton is a Celtic language.

Part of the Indo-European family, Celtic languages comprise two groups: the Gaelic and Breton. In the Vth century, massive waves of emigrants from Great Britain (Wales, Cornwall, Devon) crossed the sea and renewed the Breton population: Armo-

rica became Brittany and its language Breton. During the IIIrd Republic, the French Ministry of Education inter-vened to banish this minority language. Today, there is a great revival of interest in learning the Breton language and the number of Breton speakers is evaluated as 700 000, thanks to the development of Breton language courses.

The costumesTransmitted from generation to gene-ration, the costumes were once worn at all family and public celebrations. The clothing served as a sign, iden-tifying the different parishes and traditional country areas. Today, tradi-tional costumes are worn only during the Pardons celebrations or folklore festivals. The original feature of the women’s costume is the “coiffe” or bonnet, previously worn throughout Finistère and Morbihan. Decorated with ribbons and lace, its form and size differs from region to region and was frequently the symbol of a region. The Bigoudène region coiffe is certainly the best known today.

Breton music and dancingTraditional Breton music is symbolised by the Breton bagpipes/organ combination (equi-valent to the bagpipe/oboe duo). Played by musicians accompanied by singers or storytellers, this instrumental duo enlivens popular fetes and events. Other instruments may join in, such as the violin, the hurdy-gurdy, the harp or the clarinet, etc.This musical tradition lives on thanks to creation of the “bagadou” that is the Breton form of the Scottish pipe bands. Today, the

players animate all the “festou noz” (night time festivals) encouraging both young and old to dance. Breton dances are performed in the round, in line or in pairs.The heir to very ancient melodic traditions, Breton music is today combining with Celtic and modern influences. It is manifested by the presence of many Breton groups and artists such as Alan Stivell, Tri Yann or Dan Ar Braz, during fetes and festivals.

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Bretagne Persdossier 2009 Engels