Page 41 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

BRIT T AN Y THROUGH THE Y EAR  39

Banners, made of
embroidered silk, are
carried in pro cession
during par dons. Each
parish has its own
banner, behind which
the parishioners walk.
This one belongs to
the Chapelle Notre-
Dame de Lambader,
in Haut-Léon. The Troménie at Locronan is not only a major
pilgrimage but also a test of physical endurance
for those who carry the banners. Dressed in
tradi tional costume, for five hours they
Banner with the continuously circle a hill in the heat of July,
image of the patron holding aloft ban ners, statues and relics.
saint of a parish.
Tro Breiz
Held in honour of the seven saints –
Samson, Malo, Brieuc, Paul Aurélien,
Patern, Corentin and Tugdual – who
established Christianity in Brittany,
the Tro Breiz is not a modest parish
pardon but a lengthy pilgrimage
covering about 650 km (400 miles)
and linking the towns of the seven
saints. Pilgrims from all over the
world have attended this event.

Modern banner, carried in honour of
the well-known preacher Mikael an
Nobletz (see p133).

Blessing the Sea takes place during
pardons in villages around the coast of
The pardon of Ste-Anne-d’Auray has become a the Golfe du Morbihan. The clergy boards
spectacular event over the centuries, with a long proces sion a boat and blesses all the vessels in the
of priests and pilgrims. After mass, they fervently sing Hail harbour following a custom that dates
Marys and Breton hymns. from the 19th century.

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