Blogs from Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany , France, Europe

Although this coastal town in northern Brittany now becomes more popular for tourist yacht and boat cruise, but Paimpol one was the most important cod fishing industry from the 15th century to the 19th century. Being a fisherman was the main profession in the old day, they used to took more than 6 months trip up to the north sea in Iceland to fish before summer. but the dangerous sea journey always brought tragedy and took away a lot of lives. one could understand more from the novel "the Iceland Fishermen" by the famous writer Priere Loti. Every year in July the town will held the Icelandic festival memorize those unfortunate fishermen. began with a solemnly mass, then paraded with the holy madonna statue to the port side accompanied by the marching band, set sail with ... read more

Borrowed the words from Wikipedia : "A Pardon is a typically Breton form of pilgrimage and one of the most traditional demonstrations of popular Catholicism in Brittany. A Pardon occurs on the feast of the patron saint of a church or chapel, at which an indulgence is granted." Since the year 1619 Guingamp will organised a Pardon and feast for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary every year on the first Sunday of July. Started with a solemnly mass in the Basilica Notre Dame de Bon Secours, one should overwhelming by the serenely of the hymn while touch by the powerful sound of the organ and flute resounding under the concave ceiling of the stone structure. A parade was setting up afterward, leading by flag holders, the statue of Notre Dame, priests and clerks, worshiper ... read more

Ploubazlanec on the Cote d'Armor was one of the places I looked forward to visiting purely because of its name and the towns you have to pass through to get there. PLOO-BAZ-LAN-ECK. PLOUBAZLANEC. On the way and surrounding are Le Cabaret, Pleudaniel, Squiffiec, Ploumagoar, Lezardrieux, Plouagat, Plouisy, Plouadis and Plouadat. Way to name your bourgs Bretons! Diving into the life of a bonvivant began with dinner at the Ferme du Kerroc'h. Nathalie was expecting a meal in ramshackle rural farmhouse. The ferme Kerroc'h however was a farm which had long ago been converted into a cosy local eatery and therefore wasn't set in a patchwork of fields but plonked on the side of the main road into town. We were not disappointed by our welcome. One host, one bar lady, one waitress: all in rolled into ... read more

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