culture
A journey B
retons will tell you that heaven exists, in the far west of France. Brittany is a unique region due to its strong cultural identity. Even though it became part of France in the 16th century, the duchy remained very much different from the rest of the country as it kept its own identity through several centuries. Sitting in the northwest corner of France, the region is steeped in myths and legends and is home to the legendary cartoon characters of Asterix and Obelix, two inseparable Gaulish warriors battling to protect their village from the Roman invaders. Brittany is also famous for its damp weather; proud locals typically reply to those who complain about the climate, “En Bretagne, il ne pleut que sur les cons” (“In Brittany, it only rains on the idiots”). Brittany is an essentially rural region where agriculture is predominant, whereas Rennes, the capital, is a vibrant city and an emerging hub for Information and communications technology. The Breton culture is inextricably tied to the sea, typically represented by sailors and fishermen dressed in blue-and-white striped marinière. Brittany has the longest coastline in France stretching to more than 1 200 km, which changes amazingly twice daily with the tide’s movement. The scenery varies from jagged cliffs and sandy coves in the north and expansive beaches in the south. Brittany’s most renowned specialties illustrate the convivial folklore and popular traditions of this lively region. Due to its extensive coastline, Brittany’s gastronomy is mainly based on quality fresh seafood, from the delicious oysters from Cancale to the fine scallops from Erquy but also mussels, cockles, lobsters, clams, and crabs. France’s largest peninsula is also best known for crêpes, delicious thin pancakes with assorted sweet fillings, and galettes, made from buckwheat flour and typically eaten savory,
6 - VOICES
