Paris1972-Versailles2003

Again, I decided to delete all the posts on « Some news from Bretagne » (XXX 30 of them) because realise most if not all the information I have in full posts and pictures elsewhere so this is repetetive, I like to thanks all those who have like or comment on these posts over the years since 2011, Not all will be lost as will update and condense those posts into several posts for the memories of always, This is the last post on this series. Hope you enjoy these new posts as I.

This is 2019 !!! The Festival Interceltique Lorient, a wonderful event indeed. Rendez-vous for the 49th edition from 2 to 11 August 2019 will be the year of Galicia (Spain). The world’s largest meeting of Celtic cultures: a festival of research, creation and encounters, open to the world. Since its creation 49 years ago, the Lorient Interceltic Festival has been promoting intercelticism: a common identity based on the diversity of cultures. Today, it has become one of the largest festivals in the world and every year a country concerned with Celtic culture is invited as a guest of honor. The Grand Pardon de Sainte-Anne d’Auray. The largest religious pilgrimage in Brittany, and one of the top 3 in all of France.  The story of Sainte-Anne d’Auray began in the 17C, with the apparitions of Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, and grandmother of Jesus, to Yves Nicolazic, the village’s pious ploughman . The Detour d’Art, something unique for all lover of history and architecture like me,do this.  Like an open-air museum, the Auray area has 1001 chapels, each one more beautiful than the next! For its 13th edition, Détour d’Art invites visitors to discover this exceptional religious heritage, at the crossroads of Breton art, history and legends! From July to mid-September, the chapels of the Auray area open their doors and exhibit their architectural masterpieces to the general public. Statues, sculptures, paintings: each religious monument contains treasures that bear witness to the religious fervour of Brittany and the know-how of its craftsmen. The La Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan ran this year from 5/27/2019 to 6/2/2019; an international maritime event, a cultural and popular celebration in the magical setting of the Morbihan . Large gathering of traditional boats in the Gulf of Morbihan, every 2 years, on Ascension Day. “Gulf Week” is the major maritime event for crews of classic and traditional yachting. More than a thousand traditional and classic boats divided into coherent and identifiable fleets, which sail every day and vary their calls between ports and anchorages. Des peintres entre terre et mer – Du Faouët à Concarneau  or of painters between sea and land from Faouët to Concarneau. Up To 10/6/2019. The diversity of Brittany, a land of inspiration for many artists in the 19-20C, is still unknown to this day by many of us. Through this exhibition, you will discover the interest shown by some painters both inland and along the coast.

Planning ahead is important in the No 1 most visited country in the world (90 million 2018 shooting for 100M in 2019!) since 1949 by the UN-WTO world tourism organisation. And Brittany is the 3rd most visited region in France behind ïle de France and PACA! There are a lot of top 10 everywhere but these are the official governments figures from themselves. And I know as worked in the industry in the USA and France! The Brest International Martitime Festival. Every four years, some boats from all seas and oceans meet in Brest, for one of the major sailing events. It is the perfect opportunity to admire old and beautiful sailing boats, and even to board on some traditional yachts. It is the while to contemplate the maritime history in a festive and musical environment.  Among the special events in 2016 : the Hermione frigate, replica of La Fayette’s one, was there, along with Russian, Mexican, Dutch, English yachts. At Vannes  the Fête Historiques  July 13-14 2020 . Every July, for three days, Vannes brings its rich history to life. Take a stroll in the rampart gardens or the streets of the old town, visit the blacksmith’s forge or the coin-makers’ workshop, admire the falconry displays and the artillery demonstrations, or just enjoy a taste of medieval cuisine. And the magic doesn’t end there, for as night falls you can join in the local open-air dance, or bal populaire, and be amazed as the fire-eaters take to the streets. But it’s also a great time to visit Vannes. With around 272 listed buildings, this town hides a wealth of history behind its ancient castle walls!!

This is 2021 !!! The weather has been cold down to 1C or 34F some rain but no snow ,or worse as in other parts of the country. Right now we are cloudy and 11C (about 51F= with lows of 7C . And how about a nice historical walk in quant old historical Auray!  Implanted at the bottom of a ria since the Middle Ages, the city of Auray has evolved over the centuries. You will be invited to discover the architectural and historical evolution of the city through four emblematic places: the castle, the city/town hall, the Saint-Gildas Church and the small theater. Places of power, prayer and culture. A stroll through Auray from the Middle Ages to the 20C.  Meeting place at Place du République (front of city/town hall) at 14h30 . The Grand Loop!! or Tour de France. It brings smiles to the side of the road, dreams of being by all runners, stars in the eyes of fans , and not only that. It is all of Brittany, mythical and festive land of cycling, which for 4 days gets under its wheel and its light! Stage 1 – Brest-Landerneau (29) – The “postcard” stage Saturday June 26 – 187 km. Stage 2 – Perros-Guirec – Mûr de Bretagne Guerlédan (22) – Punch, again and again! Sunday June 27 – 182 km. Stage 3 – Lorient-Pontivy (56) – An imperial sprint Monday June 28 – 182 km. Stage 4 – Redon-Fougères (35) – Castle life Tuesday June 29 – 152 km. Will try to see the passing by Lorient or Pontivy. Unmissable monument of Pontivy, the Château de Rohan was built at the end of the 15C for the viscounts of Rohan. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Middle Ages thanks to numerous free activities open to all! On the program: Medieval camp – Armed combat – archery demonstrations – demonstrations of medieval craftsmanship – medieval games – tales and legends – medieval music. And my connection to the Americas! Museum of the East India Company. From Lorient to Canton, relive the incredible maritime epic of the Companies of the Indies! Thanks to the museum’s rich collections, you will embark on a journey through the 18C, discovering the exotic and precious goods that seduced Europeans so much and continue to make us dream. Museum of the Compagnie des Indes, art and history museum of the City of Lorient, the Citadel – Port Louis. Always there wonderful! Les Fêtes Historiques  of Vannes.- July 13 and 14, 2021. Each year in July, Vannes proudly unrolls its past all along its streets. During the Historical Festivities, immerse yourself in a medieval atmosphere in the heart of a city full of character. In the Jardin des Remparts or in the alleys of the old town, visit the blacksmith and coin striker’s stalls, admire falconry shows and artillery demonstrations, taste medieval cuisine. The magic doesn’t end with nightfall, thanks to the fire-breathing shows and the popular ball. This great celebration is also an opportunity to visit Vannes Simply awesome every year!! The Festival Interceltique Lorient  from August 6 to 15, 2021.  Every summer, come to tread the Celtic lands of Lorient for its Interceltic Festival. From Galicia to Scotland, the cream of Celtic music can be found in Brittany and can be enjoyed with joy and good humor. It’s the same every year! ,since 1971, not a month of August has passed without this festival ending in a general bagad. Saint Gildas, the prophet of the Apocalypse. It was on his return from Rome, around the age of 30, that Saint Gildas would have settled in Armorica where, according to tradition, he would have founded the abbey of Rhuys and composed his famous “De excidio Britanniae”  or “On the ruin de la Bretagne ”.  Founder of the abbey of Rhuys, Gildas is also the author of a long sermon which recounts the last fires of a civilization damaged by barbarian invasions. A unique testimony to Breton history from the beginning of the Middle Ages.

This is from 2022 !!! The Keroguic gardens (Baud 56) are open until July 10, 2022. This year an exhibition of 15 paintings enhances the visit. The visit continues with the aquatic garden, which is reminiscent of Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. The visit continues and leads to the superb rose garden. Composed of more than 500 roses of 120 different varieties, including climbers on several pleasantly arranged pergolas. The second space is dedicated to perennials and shrubs and the 3rd, to bamboos, to the very elegant purple elderberries from the Keroguic Gardens. The Grande Braderie de Rennes has not taken place for two years due to Covid-19. Good news, it’s making a big comeback on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. This exceptional sale is the second largest sale in France after Lille. With 60 streets involved and several kms of stalls, the garage sale part will take place all around from Place du Parlement square. As for antique dealers, they will unpack their items Place Honoré Commeurec, very close to the Halles Centrales. The Children’s Village of Carré Rennais, place du Parlement, will allow parents to have their children looked after for 1 hour in a guinguette atmosphere. Among the new features, you can enjoy the sports village, place de la Mairie, with entertainment offered by Stade Rennais F.C., Open Blot Rennes, Planète URB and REC Volley! On the program: workshops, goodies to win and battle of mascots. After two years of delay, we finally know the date of commissioning of line b of the metro in Rennes. The first trains will run from September 20, 2022. Enter the hemispherical room of the Planetarium, and immerse yourself in these billions of unknown worlds, of inconceivable distances and durations! 3D shows projected onto a 360° dome immerse you in the vastness of space. Throughout the year, the Planétarium de Bretagne  invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo missions and the first steps on the Moon: film screenings, conferences, festive evenings or retrospectives, there is something for everyone. Come and take your first step at the Planetarium! the town of Pleumeur-Bodou, and more particularly a site near the Radôme, has been chosen to host the Planetarium. In June 1988, the Pleumeur-Bodou Planetarium was inaugurated. With its 20 meters in diameter, it was then the largest planetarium in France. At Kingoland,  the largest amusement park in Morbihan (56), roller coaster, pirate ship, logs on the water, haunted house, dynamic cinema, bumper cars, drop tower… located between Vannes and Pontivy, Kingoland is paradise families and groups of friends. have fun and fill up on sensations with more than 40 attractions and a show. Different thematic universes will titillate your imagination. On site: picnic area and snack.

There you go folks, a dandy memorable recollection of our ways in Bretagne / Brittany / Breizh of my belle France. All families memories which I share with the world; hope you can appreciate it. Thanks again for reading me over these years, it means a lot to me, my blog is my entertainment. Glad to share my travels too,and hope you enjoy the posts as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Again, I decided to delete all the posts on « Some news from Bretagne » (XXX 30 of them) because realise most if not all the information I have in full posts and pictures elsewhere so this is repetetive, I like to thanks all those who have like or comment on these posts over the years since 2011, Not all will be lost as will update and condense those posts into several posts for the memories of always, Hope you enjoy these new posts as I.

This is 2016 !!! The wonderful Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper (fine arts museum) you have a great exposition until October 2nd of “Autoportraits du Musée d’Orsay” . Many self portraits of the famous (Courbet, Carpeaux,Redon, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Van Gogh  from 1848 to 1914 on loan from the Orsay museum in Paris. At the Cité de la Voile-Eric Tabarly in Lorient there is a new space open name “Ton Corps Super Heros” until August 14 on a space of 450 m2; you see this interactive exposition to test your body around three themes , Measurements, Movements, and Mind . At the château Gaillard in Vannes, the musée d’Histoire et d’Archéologie, you have until November 2nd the Exposition “Vannes au moyen age”  or Vannes in the Middle Ages; how it was back then with objects from the period. In the Galerie du Cloître (gallery of the cloister) in Saint Anne d’Auray back of the Basilica of Sainte Anne d’Auray you have until November 2nd, “Empreintes du Sacré” or sacred footprints; with over 50 photos of writer-traveler Ferrante Ferranti showing here the passage of the Holy Cross on the body and soul. At the wonderful  Domaine de Kerguéhennec  in Bignan you have until November 6th the expo “Paysages Contemporains”. Celebrating the 30 years of sculptures in the park. In the area by Le Faouët in the Musée du Faouët at Le Faouêt you have the exposition “La Fête vue par les Peintres en Bretagne” until October 9th. In the 19C and 20C , Brittany had a resurgence of painters showing the region in its many faces including dances, religious pardons, music, breton wrestling, marriages, circus, and country fairs. The big one is coming from August 4 tot he 14 2016 at the 46th Festival Interceltique de Lorient. This year the invited country will be Australia.

This is 2017 !!! The weather was nice today about 56F enough for folks to come out and even walk on the beach, great fun for the surfers here! A good and tasted is The Galway Inn, 18 rue de Belgique in Lorient, folk, jazz, country blues and traditional music. Nice small Casino at Larmor Plage open every day from 10h at 24 bd de Port Maria. roulettes machines, table games, bar restaurant and good ambiance on the beach. The Festival of gastronomy and wines in Vannes. Salon des Vins et de la Gastronomie March 4-6 at the expo center Le Chorus in the Parc du Golfe.A great one !

This is 2018 !!! I started my day after our family continental breakfast with painting! yes we painted a room in our basement (our basement has 130 sq meters or 1400 sq feet) on materials already purchase with my dear late wife Martine. We were thinking of doing two rooms in the basement for guests and we have it all done, just the room partitions is left to do! The boys did a good job and were treated with their favorite young people food, Star kebad and a sparkler mousseux from the Loire Vignobles Marchais that was not too bad. From here we went into our neighbor Finistére in the fortified town of Concarneau that we have visited many times and several blog posts on it. This time we were there for something special. FIFA Under 20 Women World Cup is been held in several cities in Brittany and today the quarter finals was SPAIN vs Nigeria!!! The game was played at Stade Guy Piriou with heavy security. We are so closed we could not miss cheering the girls so Spain won 2×1 and has a historical semifinal appearance which turn out will be against France yikes !!!! We decided to come back and celebrate the win closer to us in one of favorite bar and many times mentioned in my blog, the V&B of Auray. This is a nice concept of bar and liquor store where the closing time is 20h (8pm). The folks at the Auray store are very nice and have come to know them. After this indulgent we came home to relax and wait for a Paris friend visiting us by tomorrow.

The Bay of Morlaix; from the Exotic Garden of the island of Batz to the parish enclosure of Guimiliau, passing by the impressive mausoleum of Stone of Barnenez… A very nice spot in my lovely Brittany up north in Finistére dept 29. Roscoff, the land-sea harmony at its best. The beating heart of this small port town is at its peak, between the old harbor and the cove of Laber. Facing the channel, the small city is warm as long as the door of the estaminets is pushed. The exotic and Botanical Garden of Roscoff brings together rare collections of plants, mainly from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile or Mexico. At Batz, ginger and impatience from Roscoff, at low tide, boarding for the island of Batz is at the end of the wharf, a long footbridge that ends with steps that plunge into the sea, ten minutes walk from the quay. The Georges-Delaselle garden, which holds many surprises. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, it grows palm trees from Asia and Africa. From the top of the lighthouse, at 67 meters above sea level, the spectacle of the island entry is magnificent. Plouescat version of Seychelles island; to the west of Roscoff, the granite blocks of the beaches of Plouescat evoke the Seychelles. At the Roc’h ar Mor, a family restaurant a little gruff, we have lunch facing the sea at the end of the beach of Porsmeur. At Guimiliau,  What an ordeal! To reach the parish enclosures, it is necessary to drive due south from Roscoff, by the valley of the Penzé which leads quickly to Guimiliau. The Guimiliau enclosure is typical: A central Church, a monumental gate, a Calvary and a wall of enclosure that surrounds the whole. It is so perfect that it says everything about the village opulence of the 16C and 17C in this corner of Brittany.  You have to be wary of parish enclosures: They can cause an addiction. Not to miss the retable of Commana, the ossuary of Sizun or the beam of glory of Lampaul-Guimiliau . At Carentec, a fort and oysters from the beach of Kelenn, in Carantec, the boat that leads to the château du Taureau at brisk pace. Planted in the middle of the bay of which it kept the entrance, this 16C fort, enlarged by Vauban in the 17C, became the star of local tourism. The Parthénon de Barnenez  ;Like a stone giant, the great cairn of Barnenez seems to sleep on the right bank of the Bay of Morlaix, facing the sea. This huge mausoleum, 75 meters long and 28 meters wide, conceals eleven burial chambers divided into two enclosed parts but of different ages. Difficult to date precisely, probably between 4 500 and 3 900 years BC some slabs are adorned with decorations whose symbolic value is not entirely clear: a triangle axe blade for strength, a shining hair idol that would be the evocation of a goddess of fertility and death, or a U for the horned beasts and the zigzags that evoke the water. The beauties of Morlaix sunk in a valley, dominated by an omnipresent viaduc, the city of Morlaix is a cul-de-sac. The Saturday morning market, place des hostages, in front of the city/town hall, the discovery of the house in Pondalezau 9, Grand’rue typical of these 16C wood-framed buildings,  and the promenade under the viaduc arches are the keys to a first approach. From the middle part of this two-story art work, accessible on foot, the landscape opens to the north, where the river runs towards the bay. On the upper floor, the trains come and go from Paris-Montparnasse.

There you go folks, a dandy memorable recollection of our ways in Bretagne / Brittany / Breizh of my belle France. All families memories which I share with the world; hope you can appreciate it. Thanks again for reading me over these years, it means a lot to me, my blog is my entertainment. Glad to share my travels too,and hope you enjoy the posts as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Again, I decided to delete all the posts on « Some news from Bretagne » (XXX 30 of them) because realise most if not all the information I have in full posts and pictures elsewhere so this is repetetive, I like to thanks all those who have like or comment on these posts over the years since 2011. Not all will be lost as will update and condense those posts into several posts for the memories of always. Hope you enjoy these new posts as I.

This is 2013 !!! The  Salon des Vins et de la Gastronomie de Quimper, in the Grand Hall du Parc des expositions de Penvillers , this is November 16, 17,and 18 2013. One of my favorites in old section of Vannes (town I worked) is Chez la Mére 6 sous, 11 rue de Closmadeuc (at the end of street sort of alley). here you are like in a parisien bistro. Closer to new home and the happening place at nights is L’Armoric at the Saint Goustan district of Auray. This is concerts with live music, evenings karaoki, etc, great bar drinks, sports TV, and great restaurant next door all same complex by the river Loch. And right in my new town of Pluvigner, one of our best spots is a castle!!! Inside the Château de Rimaison, you have the créperie du château, at road D768 just before getting into city center.

This is 2014 !!! Later on February 22nd I will not missed it, is the salon de vins et de la gastronomie in Vannes. Finally, at Baden, 2 Place Weilheim, you will find a unique museum, the Musée des Passions et des Ailes, or museum of passions and wings relates the story of local boy Joseph le Brix, in 1928,he does the first flight of the South Atlantic , died 3 years later trying to do the same Paris to Tokyo trip. In the same building you have the collection of Jean and Anne Farkas, with a beautiful collection of toys, porcelains, automates that attract visitors from the whole world. A room with boat models by Aimé Malry, and another on accordions by Francis le Pipec . The best preserve WWII submarine training center is at Lorient. At the Musée sous-marine du pays de Lorient. They do tours every Sundays from 14h to 18h. We did our groceries before coming home at E. Leclerc in Vannes, and found out our favorite shopping center resto les Vannetis has close out, Under renovation it will re open as a Flunch cafeteria later on. So we came to our other restaurant the Bistro Saint Edouard, where we have the plat dessert combi.

I set out this morning into the country near me, at Bieuzy Lanvaux, there are a wonderful Church of Saint Bieuzy . This one is high on a hill overlooking the Loch plateau,and better park at the bottom and walk up as the streets are very narrow and steep difficult for a turnaround. We, also, visited briefly the Logis de Florange, one of the main banquet, wedding places here in the country, the pride of the area if you are holding a family gathering. Last on this area , we went by the front of the Abbaye de Lanvaux, this is private, but full of history. When the local rebels ,the Chouans, gathered here with General Cadoudal (of Auray) , waiting for the immigrant breton to arrive from England by Quiberon, this is where they camp out. Unfortunately the landing was discovered , and the link up never happened, instead many immigrants 795 were sentence to the firing squad ,and today their remains are in the Chartreuse of Brec’h. We past effortless thru the city center of Pluvigner as it is market or jour du marché, and got some goodies, and then a tour into deep country, passing by the town of Landaul and its nice Church Saint-Théleau  in city center.  This parish Church of Landaul,  having  been  demolished  in  1862,  the  Chapel Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours nearby, itself built around 1450, becomes parish church in May 1863. And, I wanted to stop by living just 7-10 kms from them!  The first one encounter was the Château de Kéronic, a private residence sitting in a long one way road that at the end into the woods you come across the castle right at you!!  We moved on to the other side of Pluvigner to visit another private property, the Château de Kerlois; This is even more difficult to find as there is no panel on the road D102 and we found it by pinpointing the lieu-dits on the map and figuring the grassy wooden entry off the road looks like a grand house was there. Well , it proved right as once going thru this narrow one way road, passing some rusted gate, we came across the beauty of this castle. We came back to Saint Goustan, the lovely port of Auray for a meal at one of our favorite spot and now friends ,the Créperie Saint-Sauveur.  Finally, we gather some material for our house at Jardiland, the home, garden,  handyman deco store in Vannes , got some driveway stone for decoration, and getting quotes for many works on the tube for the rest of the year.

The Morbihan is dotted with many megaliths or stones from ancient times that we are still trying to find out about them.  2000 years before the pyramids of Egypt, or Stonehenge, or the writings in Mesopotamia, there was Brittany and its majestic stones. You have ,of course, Carnac with more than 3000 stones perfectly align for about 4 kms forming four groups of stones, Ménec, Kermario and LeManio , Kerlescan and petit Ménec, and while at it visit the museum of prehistory in the city center or bourg right in Carnac. You have the site of Kercado, in the forest you have one of the most spectacular Dolmen and well preserve out and in, covered with a tumulus with a diameter of 30 meters (c 100 feet) and a high of 5 meters (c. 16.5 feet).  ou go on away to the Tumulus de Moustoir, not complete but amazing, with  85 meters long and 35 meters wide and 5 meters high,you can see a dolmen on the west side and two tombs and a menhir around it. A very famous one is the Tumulus of Gavrinis on a high hill in a island inside the Gulf of Morbihan. You see it as you approach by boat . A Dolmen of 29 pillars many decorated with geometric drawings.

Coming along to the tumulus of Petit Mont d’Arzon, located overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It has been enlarge and renovated for thousands of years , and in its interior you find a dolmen with a serie of big stones entirely decorated with motifs geometrics and figurines. Only guided visits from April to September he grouping of Locmariaquer, is about  10 kms from Carnac and considered one of the most complete site. You have the biggest in the world menhir cut in four pieces with 20 meters high and done 2000 years before those of Carnac. On the other side you can visit the  Túmulus de La Table des Marchands , and the Túmulus de Er Grah, whose interior has a nice decoration.You can visit all year round. The Arch of Kerzerho ,   with more than 1000 stones and one of the most complete in the area. You can see the ring  of various dolmens and the one the  Name Croch and the  Mane Braz, in addition to more alignments and a huge sacrificial stone. Free access come along to the grouping of Kergonan, on the biggest island in the Gulf of Morbihan the Île aux Moines. You have a group of 24 menhirs forming like a horse shoe and around it a small museum. The other is the Pen Hap, one of the best places to see the island with a running dolmen. The island Moines is monks but there was never monks here. You reach the dolmen of Le Bignan, more inland away from the sea, includes a Tumulus of 30 meeters in diameter and on the interior you can visit the dolmen and a big menhir of nearly 7 meters high , as well as a second dolmen in deterioration of about 10 meters long. It is known locally as the “le trou des Chouans” or the hole of the chouans (the name given to counter revolutionary Breton against the French revolution, farmers really). Lastly ,visit the tumulus de Larcuste, near the town of Colpo, there lies a grouping of two tumulus and in the interior it has been found other dolmen in a hallway type of setting in good state of conservation. Very near me, secluded in the fields.

This is 2015 !!! I was as usual by Vannes visiting some old building like the palace of Limur, the city hall or hôtel de ville as well as administrative offices, the stores, and shops along rue Emile Bourgault and leading to the place Henri IV  with a view of the wonderful Cathedral Saint Pierre, all wonderful clear day in beautiful old Vannes. And yes the magic of Christmas is here too even if less known than on the East of France. At Vannes from december 18 to January 3rd 2016. Chalets and entertaintment all over the city with heritage tours Also, at my other town Auray, Noêl à Auray, animations and chalets from December 11 to December 31 2015. Christmas markets on the 11-13 December and village of Noêl 18-20 December nd of course for the adults do not forget the Casinos we have good ones in near me such as one in Casino de Vannes! at Parc du Golfe , with machines, table games electronic roulette, and bar/brasserie resto, and Casino de Crouesty with a great marina in Arzon, English electronic roulette, is new here with Christmas (30€) and New Year’s (109€) menus.

We have nice cities of character such as Rochefort-en-Terre, Josselin, and La Roche-Bernard worthy of a visit anytime. The Naîa museum at Rochefort en Terre in the castle park, with artistic imagination such as the leyend of a witch with movie, monumental,numeric, sculpture and paintings. The Presqu’île de Quiberon with its Côte Sauvage is my favorite place in all, beaches, bars, stores and just plain beach bum lifestyle ! You can see a nice castle Suscinio by Sarzeau in the Presqu’île de Rhuys or the less known but impressive castle of Trécesson in Campaneac . Inside the magical forest of Brocéliande of the king Arthur leyend. Then, head for the islands of the wonderful world of the Gulf of Morbihan, at any time ,now in winter they are empty of tourists but locals are and really lovely, in summer they are pack with visitors. Île aux Moines and Île d’Arz are just great, many cruises companies take you there.  The biggest is Belle-Île and the idylic Hoëdic and Houat and farther away by Lorient ,you have Groix.

The Christmas season upon us as I have commented on other posts, have great rdv at Rochefort en Lumières until January 3rd 2016; and the same time at Vannes with the slide, white beard, and lights shows or Glise, barbe blanche et lumières. A more appropiate religious tone in Sainte Anne d’Auray site of the patron Saint of Brittany, with a Jesus Revival with a living nativity scene until January 3rd 2016 Other areas with Chrismas markets are at Saint Esprit in Auray . Go out in Vannes at the Café barge Piano barge on the bay by the cruise terminal. Classic and romantic on the water, And of course, the home favorite Le Gambetta at Place Gambetta facing the pleasure marina with great place, food and service; sublime!!

As winter is coming even if hardly noticeable with temps in 13C now, we have indoor heated pools with tuboggan etc such as Vanocéa in Vannes, Alé’O in Auray, and Neptilude in Quiberon.  A bit on the big cities like Rennes with its night life around les Lices Sainte-Anne,and the rue St Michel/St Malo; and the old Streets around the Place des Lices and Place du Parlement. The nice  museum of fine arts or Beaux-Arts, the Frac Bretagne, museum of dance.  A bit on the cousin Nantes, with the new Hangar 21 area on the île de Nantes with cultural, restos, bars animated action,and the quaint passage Pommeray, and the Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Museum of Jules Verne and the machines de l’île.  

There you go folks, a dandy memorable recollection of our ways in Bretagne / Brittany / Breizh of my belle France. All families memories which I share with the world; hope you can appreciate it. Thanks again for reading me over these years, it means a lot to me, my blog is my entertainment. Glad to share my travels too,and hope you enjoy the posts as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Again, I decided to delete all the posts on « Some news from Bretagne » (XXX 30 of them) because realise most if not all the information I have in full posts and pictures elsewhere so this is repetetive, I like to thanks all those who have like or comment on these posts over the years since 2011. Not all will be lost as will update and condense those posts into several posts for the memories of always. Hope you enjoy these new posts as I.

This is 2011 !!! Every region has its part and goodies to savored, I like them all,been to all, but now living on a new job adventure in the Morbihan department 56 of Brittany near Vannes and home in Brech near Auray. We just had a pain de campagne from the bakery across the street from my apt, just wonderful wheaties stuff with a fine hardy crust. And not forget those chocolate almond pastries they make oh my God oh la la la ,c’est super bien sùr. Just drive by corn er hoët which in Breton means the end of the forest or the orée du bois in French ::)

I have try the Bar Franklin at St Goustan old area of Auray, 21 Place St Sauveur as well as the Relais  Franklin , 8 Quai Benjamin Franklin ,both delicious crepes and galettes of breton fame with a nice view of the river Loch leading unto the ocean at the gulf of Morbihan . I did the resto le Cozy,(closed) 2, rue Saint Cornély at Carnac . Then we came back for the Creperie la Fromentin ,10 Rue Château  just going down hilly old world street into the St Goustan area, Not to leave out the local bar at Corn er Hoët ,bar restaurant in route de corn er hoët, Brech, (closed) even with an American flag hanging out always in front;good cold beers on the good is great.

The tourist season is here, the roads were packed, and traffic jams for the first time were seen on my way home. Luckily I know the area well and got to the gare d’Auray or train station where is ,also, a bus station or gare routiére to pick my family. They went to the local FNAC store to get their video games, and found a goodie of a chocolate store, great chocolat which I had a field day just tonite. It is call Chocolats de Roland Réauté at Rue Theophraste Renaudot, Vannes at the ZAC de Kerlann. The town of Sainte Anne d’Auray, just down the road D19 from me. There next to the Basilica of Sainte Anne, we had a wonderful Breton dinner .The place is Creperie Les Ajoncs, 4 rue de Vannes. And tomorrow is Saturday I will be taken them to Quiberon for the day ,as they will head back to our principal home in Versailles. The schools went ok and sure will be here in September, then the house needs to be sold and move here!

As for me, getting ready to pick up the remnants of my family tomorrow at the train station of Auray coming from Paris Montparnasse. They will be here for the weekend to see schools on friday, then head back monday to begin my oldest work study courses. Today was my Dad”s 76 birthday and having a great time in his sister house in Miami Lakes, Fl USA. The other of my sons is near Valencia Spain vacationing with his girlfriend’s family (lucky him). He is still there into August !!! I will pick up my father at Orly by month’s end. That is heavy with work travel as the company convention will be held in a nice hotel in Chantilly with a seminar by the ave George V in Paris.

My family left this morning to Paris Montparnasse and arrive safe and sound. Now its the start of another week and paperwork, and travel. Then ,one of my twin boys will travel to Calpe in Spain on july 14 with his girlfriend’s family to be there until August 9th; all in all a very good vacation;and first time that long away from us…He is 17 and really looking forward to 18 in November. My father will be returning from Florida USA by july 30th at Orly ,and I will be there to pick him up ,stop by the house Versailles, and return back on Sunday. I will be going on business trips ,first to Prague on July 13-15, then Lisbon July 26-28, and then Anvers, Belgium on August 3-5 so far all are booked.

This is 2012 !!! The biggest religious pelerigragne in Brittany and second only to Lourdes in France is coming near me at Sainte-Anne d’Auray. The patron saint of Breton, mother of Mary, grandmother of Jesus. The Grand Pardon, at July 25-26 2012 . How about visiting a submarine base from WWII at Lorient, and now a museum ,La Flore,, you really go inside. Shopping sales started from June 27 and continue at shopping Center in Lorient,  the Espace Nayel, alongside the quais port area,

I am beginning my vacation time here today, and still going over brochures and maps on figuring how to and where to go …After some errands needed to do like renewing my French passport next week we will have something figure out, I hope. The Haras National d’Hennebont which I went last week has an equestrain spectacle call “Le Voyage de Zabédério” or the travels of Zabédério, that is stunning, a must to see, The Chateau de Suscinio is having heritage feasts an spectacles to do with history ,theater, cinema, chants of music and other nice activities in a former castle of the Dukes of Brittany.  The wonderful  Domaine de Kerguéhennec, at Bignan is a wonderful oasis of another try to match Versailles, the castle is smaller but nice, and the gardens is beautiful. Here all summer there are activities for all, and this is great for kids too.

Why not something about foodies, the sweets gastronomiques of our region, such as chocolates, caramels au beurre salé, dry fruits, tea in many colors and flavors, wines, champagnes, and mugs deco great at Aux Mille Délices, 23 Rue des Halles, Vannes  We stop for a light snack and coffee Macchiato and Cappucchino at Brooklyn Café, (now close) on our way home in the Atlanville shops and restos complex off Rue Sainte Anne .And tonite is lazy social Friday night so we have opted for pizza yeahhh!!! Pizza Sprint that is. (now Domino’s).

Well winter is here or is it autumn? Really can’t tell the difference. We have the temps go down to 4C and during the day went up to 12C then down to 8C now, and tomorrow it’s expected to go down to 1C in the morning. So ho ho ho winter is here. We hit the stores!!!! shopping for furniture for 3 young men is not easy , or is it hard to do at all? At the end ,nothing was purchase and the decision is pending for Monday evening. Then ,we went for lunch or rather late lunch and after walking around deciding where to go too ….lol! passing A la Breizh Cafe and Patty O’Dowds Irish pub, we headed for Le CatWay (now Gambetta) our favorite at the pl Gambetta, Le Port area of the pleasure marina, Vannes .I took advantage of some wine buying as there is a foire or sale going on, so obligatory stop at Nicolas, pl du poids public in Vannes. Oh did I said went shopping for furniture, yes BUT is one of the stores we went. And ,check out La Foir Fouille for misc housing stuff, very good prices and handy items there always. We end the day by having a glass at the Irish Pub just opening time lol!!! before heading out to do our groceries at a new place we haven’t try , Intermarché supermarket in Vannes.

Rainy grey and windy day again, but we are by now like the Bretons, we go out no matter what, and make the best of it. This is the season to be merry anyway. Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noêl, Feliz Navidad,and Feliz Natal to all my friends, readers,and family. We went straight to our favorite store Armand Thiery in Vannes, this is a store that has excellent casual and business attire for mens and next to it is Toscane, their women division with the same concept . We went over to our electronics favorite and one of the standard bearer in France, that is FNAC; here you can buy anything you fancy in music, movies,videos, videogames,books,telephone,TV,computer,the works, the service is always friendly as today my son was searching for some retractable headphones and he got two employees coming over to help him decide with all information on them; he chose JVC model. The gang continue its devastating punch and mamà/papa paying like a zombie to go over to Le Grande Récré, (closed) this is a toys, games, children plays store, as the search for Lego games was on!!!  Not to be outdone, we continue about 50 meters over to the other toys,games, children plays store Joue Club, here is two floors of toys too, and they have found many things here such as beyblades, now the other Lego was found hooray!!! all happy now and papa keeps paying dooh . As we were close to the big hypermarché Carrefour, just about 300 meters ,we decide to finish with some groceries. For the other 55 stores there you can see the lineup here at Galerie commercial Carrefour, a shopping mall. Then it was time to be hungry with the car full of goodies, and no rain; so we headed back to the free parking we had by the city hall building or hotel de ville, as we had eaten there before, but this time we try a new one that we saw very quaintly lit, this is the La Crémaillére, 6 rue Lesage, Vannes. Its a pizzeria, créperie resto right behind the hotel de ville. 

There you go folks, a dandy memorable recollection of our ways in Bretagne / Brittany / Breizh of my belle France. All families memories which I share with the world; hope you can appreciate it. Thanks again for reading me over these years, it means a lot to me, my blog is my entertainment. Glad to share my travels too,and hope you enjoy the posts as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!