I’m on my first Blog for the site and already I’m breaking the rules… Because here we are in the Morbihan and, already, I’m dragging you away to the Cotes d’Armor. But there’s a very good reason. Because this you will not want to miss…
'Burning down the house'
Whatever brings you to Brittany, a holiday, or maybe it’s that you have managed to escape the gravitational pull of the UK for good and all, you must not miss the son et lumiere presentation at the Abbey of Bon Repos; what those behind this extravaganza have entitled ‘Le Pays de Conomor’. For me, if there is one thing that sums up the enthusiasm and passion that the Bretons have for their region of France, it is this event. Each year, for the first two weeks in August 400 ‘actors’, 50 horses, a pack of hounds and a stage probably a quarter of a mile wide; consisting of a thatched village, the abbey itself and a mock castle. Collectively they become the centre of attention for the 1,000 strong audience enthralled from 10.15 (ish)pm (it all depends on the right level of darkness) through until around midnight. If the weather is good it is truly magical. If it rains – it is well… wet! But still pretty magical! We are serial attendees. And, be warned – It IS habit forming. You will be a witness to…Life in Stone Age Brittany, The sacking of the village by the Romans, The building of the Nantes/Brest Canal, Brittany’s Aristocracy at play, including a hunt with a pack of baying hounds as well as a full mediaeval joust. They even make it snow over the village!! All of ancient Breton life is here and, like I said, if the weather is kind, it’s the best night out you can have. Arrive at around 8pm and you can add to your enjoyment by picnicking on the banks of the Nantes/Brest Canal before the performance. I’m not really giving any secrets of the performance away when I tell you that the finalé is the burning down of the abbey (which just has to be seen to be believed) which is accompanied by the whole cast processing through the performance area carrying torches and accompanied by stilt walkers, fire eaters to fanfares from a six strong group playing hunting horns (the harmonies are amazing). You can buy tickets on-line
See you there! I’ll be the one trying incessantly to take a decent photograph without using flash – because, unfortunately (and quite obviously) it’s not allowed! Well can you imagine how annoying it would be, whilst watching this extravaganza, to have some wazz with his flash going off 20 to the dozen!? Gallic expletives come to mind!
Oh, and by the way – not that my French is quite good enough to understand quite all he says…but there is a smooth talking Gaul who handles the voice-over throughout the performance and my missus goes weak at the knees every time he kicks off the evening… For my money he sounds a lot like the bloke from the Cointreau ads. Remember him? “And – fine French Brandy”… Click on the link to see what I mean… in this sneak preview.
