Private Tours BRITTANY Art and Culture in Brittany
Advised tours : ART AND CULTURE IN BRITTANY
These programs are given as an example, they can be modified depending on the pick up location and on your interests.
TOUR 1 : The Art in Brittany
Quimper / Pont-Aven
TOUR 2 : Gauguin
Pont Aven / Le Pouldu
TOUR 3 :
Quimper / Menez Hom / Guimiliau
ART AND CULTURE IN BRITTANY
As a result of the Reformation in the 16th Century, the Bretons wished to express their loyalty to their Catholic faith and weaken the new Protestant influence by donations of art or money to the local churches such as in Guimiliau. This prosperous period allowed the financing of ambitious projects. Existing religious sites were ornately decorated and impressive porches as well as elaborate Calvaries were added, in order to show visitors the wealth and care that people were prepared to spend to support the Catholic in its time of need. The 17th and 18th Centuries saw the development in Quimper of the craftsmanship and fine artworks which the region is known for today. Also, in the little village of Pont-Aven, at the end of the 19th Century, a new avant-garde artistic style of painting developed, championed by Paul Gauguin, much as had happened with Monet in Giverny near Rouen.
Advised toursPONT AVEN :
An ancient commercial town which grew around its bridge over the River Aven, it also developed a successful port from which the local produce was exported. The town was also a major milling town where flour was produced which gave rise to the local speciality, the “Galette de Pont-Aven”. This area discovered by artists at the end of the 19th Century, it was favoured for its calm and tranquil atmosphere and as a result became a retreat for these people. Paul Gauguin helped in the development of this artist colony with his many visits between 1886 and 1894. The Bois d’Amour, “Lover’s wood”, which inspired so many of these painters, is still the favourite place for a stroll. Also opened is the Chapelle de Tremalo where Gauguin painted his famous “Yellow Christ” and one of his self-portraits. The Art Museum is also situated close by. To round off your visit, you can go to the seaside town of Le Pouldu where the hotel has been turned into a museum dedicated to the artists who painted there.
MENEZ HOM :
This 1000 foot high hill offers a breathtaking view running out to the west towards the town of Crozon and takes in almost every feature of the Brittany Peninsula in one. Looking towards the interior of the country around the area of the Monts d’Arree, the beauty of the original countryside is still preserved owing to its status as a protected Natural Regional Park.
GUIMILIAU / St THEGONNEC :
While the Reformation was sweeping through the rest of France, the Bretons had no desire to renounce their Catholic faith in favour of the new Protestant churches. On the contrary, it strengthened their original beliefs and brought about a reinforcement of their Catholic faith. This increased revenue to the church through donations and allowed the local churches to be richly decorated inside. Because the local population was largely illiterate, this meant pictures and stained-glass windows were used to tell the stories of the Bible and the lives of Saints. Large new porches were constructed at the entrances of churches, and cemeteries surrounded by walls to separate the sacred from the profane. At the Church of St Thégonnec, walking through the monumental gate and entering the parish close, you can still see the spectacular results of these medieval craftsmen throughout the Calvary and the chapel and the ossuary.
QUIMPER :
The ancient capital of French Cornwall is situated at the meeting of two rivers. In walking along the many canals and strolling through the old town centre, you will be drawn to the Cathedral of Saint-Corentin, built in 1240, where as well as its ornate exterior, you will see that the interior of the church and its stained-glass windows are of the same high standard. From 1690 onwards, the town also became heavily involved in the production and decoration of porcelain, developing over time its own distinct style that is nowadays known the world over. There are also museums showing how this craft evolved as well as the famous Henriot factory where this beautiful work is still carried on today.
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