Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

34  INTRODUCING BRIT T AN Y

BRITTANY THROUGH
THE YEAR

In Brittany, every season has something to own fest-noz or pardon (see pp38–9). The
offer. In spring, towns and villages reawaken high point is the Festival Interceltique de
from their winter slumber: feast days in Lorient, the greatest Celtic festival in France.
honour of patron saints and popular festivals By the autumn, the num ber of tourists begins
mark this renewal. As the sun shines more to dwindle and festivals are fewer. Bretons
brightly, heath and woodland come to life. ward off the rigours of winter by meeting
Through the summer, the tourist season is in in bistros or holding such events as the
full swing, and every community holds its Trans Musicales de Rennes.

Spring
In Brittany, spring is a time of
joyfulness. From March, water-
ed by gentle showers, gorse
blooms cover the land scape
in a carpet of golden yellow.
In May, broom comes into
flower, with its lighter
yellow blooms. Fruit and
vegetables – including
Brittany’s famous artichokes –
are piled high in the markets.
The region is reborn, and
welcomes the return of
warm, sunny days.
Advertisement for Étonnants Voyageurs, a festival held in St-Malo
March
Salon du Livre (late Mar–mid- Festival Étonnants Voyageurs June
Apr), Bécherel, Ille-et-Vilaine. An (three days, late May/early Jun), Festival Art Rock
antiquarian book festival held in St-Malo. The focus of this (May–Jun), St-Brieuc,
a medieval town. Bookbinders, festival (Amazing Explorers), Côtes d’Armor. Concerts,
booksellers and second-hand held in the historic port exhibitions, shows and
dealers hold open house. of St-Malo, is travel writing contemporary dance.
and accounts of exploration.
May It features exhibitions, July
Festival En Arwen (early May), lectures and book signing Festival Tombées de la
Cléguérec, Morbihan. A festival sessions. Organized by a Nuit (early Jul), Rennes,
of traditional Breton music, group of enthusiasts, it has Ille-et-Vilaine. Filled with
drawing many performers become a major cultural musicians, comedians, mime
and enthusiasts. event, and is now taken artists and storytellers from all
to other countries. over the world, Rennes, the
capital of Brittany, becomes
a gigantic stage.
Summer Festival des Pierres qui Parlent
As one of the most popular (mid-Jul to Aug), at megalithic
tourist regions of France, sites at Locronan, Crozon,
Brittany receives a large number Concarneau, Loctudy, Arzon,
of visitors during the summer. Carnac and Ploemeur.
Coastal resorts are busy, and Held at sunset, a storyteller
bars and nightclubs are filled to weaves beguiling Celtic tales.
capacity. Besides swimming in Art dans les Chapelles (early
the sea or relaxing on the Jul to mid-Sep), Pontivy and
beach, going hiking or cycling, environs, Morbihan.
or taking a boat trip round the About 15 chapels in and
coast, there are many other around Pontivy, and dating
Fields of gorse, thickly carpeted in flowers activities for visitors to enjoy from the 15th and 16th
from March (see pp250–3). centuries, host exhibitions

034-035_EW_Brittany.indd 34 11/3/16 1:02 PM