What to see in France

Why go camping in Brittany? #Breton culture

Another reason to go camping in Brittany is that the region is well known for its folklore and art of living.

Breton traditions and culture

Immersion in Breton traditions

Breton music and dance festival© OLLIVIER Marc

Between the traditional outfits proudly worn by the Bigoudènes, the songs, the gastronomy and the Gwenn Ha Du, the famous black and white Breton flag, experience an immersion in the Celtic lands.

If you have the opportunity, attend a fest-noz (night party) or a fest-deiz (day party), Breton folklore festivals inspired by peasant society, where Breton dances are given pride of place.

Breton costumes, a symbol of identity

Costume parade during the traditional Cornouaille festival in the city of Quimper© iStock

True emblems of Breton culture, traditional costumes reflect the diversity of the Breton regions. Each region, and sometimes each municipality, once had its own style, colours and, above all, headdress, which varied in height depending on customs and social status. From the famous Bigouden headdress to those of Pont-l'Abbé and Quimper, these outfits bear witness to a deep attachment to local roots. Today, they are revived during fest-noz, pardons and folk festivals, where the same pride and elegance can be found in the embroidery, ribbons and lace passed down from generation to generation.

Breton craftsmanship, between tradition and creativity

Quimper earthenware, signed Henriot circa 1910© Patrick.charpiat, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brittany also cultivates a rich and vibrant craft tradition, which extends this taste for detail and tradition. Hand-painted Quimper pottery remains one of its best-known symbols, with its colourful motifs inspired by everyday life and regional costumes. In workshops, embroiderers perpetuate ancient skills, while other artisans sculpt wood or granite, materials emblematic of Breton heritage. Finally, Celtic-inspired jewellery, adorned with triskells and interlacing patterns, bears witness to this creativity rooted in legend and Breton identity.

Tales and legends of Brittany

Finally, Brittany knows how to tell its fairy tales and legends: Discover real myths at every turn of the road and let your imagination travel, between the singular rocks on the Pink Granite Coast, the mysterious alignments of megaliths of Carnac or those of Saint-Just, the mysterious origin of the Er Grah tumulus in Locmariaquer, the Korrigan, or the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the round table in the forest of Broceliande, perhaps still haunted by elves and druids from the old days...