Breton Culture & Tradition in Brittany

Cairn of Barnanez could be World Heritage site.

The candidature of Cairn de Barnenez (29)for the list of sites classified by UNESCO as "world heritage site" is being reintroduced by the mayor of Plouezoc'h, Romain Guillou. Situated on the Kernéléhén peninsula in the Finistère-Nord region... more...

Hearse and Carriage?

In France it's legal to marry the dead

Dozens apply each year for permission to marry dead people under a law created during World War I. Over the years, hundreds of requests have been granted more...

Onion Johnnies

Striped shirts, berets and bicycles strung with onions

French Onions

Onion Johnny is the nickname given to the French farmers and agricultural labourers that sell distinctive pink onions door-to-door in England, Wales and Scotland. more...

Breton Mythology and Folklore

A Korrigan is a female fairy or dwarf-like spirit

Ankou

Ankou is a personification of death mainly in Breton mythology. It is said that he is the one who collects the souls of the dead and aids them on their journey to the next world, in his old rickety cart... more...

Breton Religious Heritage

Pilgrimages, pardons and saints

Religious Heritage

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 ... more...

The Breton Language

The oldest surviving document in Breton dates to the end of the 8th century

To any visitor the most obvious difference between Brittany and the rest of France is the Breton language. This is not always high-profile in everyday life but everywhere are examples ... more...

Brittany Cities of Art

An urban tradition

Brittany Cities of Art

Little 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... more...

Bécassine & Bleuette

The dolls of “La Semaine de Suzette"

Becassine

In 1905 Henri Gautier began the weekly magazine “La Semaine de Suzette”. As an historic reference, it was at the same time of the legal separation between the French ... more...

A Tale of Two Cities

There are over 100 'twinnings' of British and Breton towns and villages

Twin Towns

Town twinning was born in Europe shortly after the Second World War. Twinning provides the opportunity to find out more about the daily lives of citizens... more...

The Breton Legends

The Forest of Brocéliande and Merlin the Enchanter

Brocéliande

Brocéliande 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 ... more...

Breton Music

History and traditions

The regional music of Brittany is unique and covers all genres from Celtic style with obvious maritime influences... more...

The Breton Flags

From Kroaz Du to Gwenn Ha Du

The first known flag of Brittany was the Kroaz Du (or Groaz du), the Black Cross, virtually the reverse of the old Cornish flag... more...

Boule Bretonne

Learn about this traditonal game

The most ancient game of bowls in France is practised in the western part of France, especially in Brittany. The game is also called boule en bois, because the boules ... more...