Brittany and Pays de la Loire – France

200 years ago Nicolas Appert invented the conserving of food by heat sterilisation and hermetically sealed container. He created the World’s first conserving factory with an invention that changed millions of lives, including sailors for whom the invention meant less chance of scurvy. Read about conserving food & La Belle Iloise in Brittany

The 14th July has been celebrated by the french every year since 1789, the year that citizens of France rebelled against the monarchy and stormed the Bastille prison where dissenters (in fact, anyone who disgreed with the way that France was being governed) were held. The storming of the Bastille marked the start of the…
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The 30th Tour of Brittany for vintage cars takes place this weekend (21st – 24th May 2010). The first rally was held way back in 1966 and has grown in interest ever since. This year 1,300 ancient cars, lorries, bikes, motorcycles (and Solex) will take part in one of two convoys for a rally around…
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George East is a writer and humorist. His latest book about the culture, history, and food and drink (especially the food and drink) of Brittany comes out this summer, and he has kindly agreed to give our readers some sneak previews in the run-up to release. The previous excerpt explored the mythical Isle of Ys…
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Chris Slade describes the son et lumiere presentation at the abbey of Bon Repos called ‘Le Pays de Conomor’ in Brittany, which takes place during the first two weeks of August.

A compelling 18 minute video, in English, working through Brittany from St Malo down to Saint Nazaire (which was still part of Brittany until the early 1960′s), stopping at Concarneau, Carnac, St. Anne d’Auray Vannes and a few other places in between. Covering tourism, religeous gatherings, the Breton fishing industry (with fishermen at Concarneau or…
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