BRITTANY HERITAGE STUDY DAYS – EXPLORING BRITTANY'S PAST

Brittany Walks is part of Brittany Heritage Services, an enterprise which promotes Breton history, culture and landscape to English-speakers. We offer a History of Brittany Course and also individual Study Days to look at interesting aspects of Brittany’s heritage and foster an understanding of how the region has developed.

STUDY DAYS - Autumn 2010

UNDERSTANDING BRITTANY

A simple guide to the key events and issues that have led to Brittany's distinctive development, also giving a clearer perception of the region today. Forget the clichés! What does 'Celtic' really signify? Where did the Breton language come from? Why is there a big difference between western and eastern Brittany? How have relations with France changed Brittany?

Wednesday 27th October

BRITONS IN BRITTANY

A look at some historical connections between Great Britain and Little Britain, covering culture, trade and conflict. This will provide insight into Brittany's past and reveal some surprising cross-Channel links. Why did Queen Victoria give certain Bretons a water cistern? How did Oliver Cromwell influence Breton culture? Where did the English locate a "wasp's nest" in Brittany?

Wednesday 10th November

HOW TO READ A BRETON CHURCH

All you need to understand churches and chapels around Brittany. Architecture, statues and altarpieces, the language of symbols - what's it all about? We'll cover basics in the morning, then after lunch we'll visit three churches and put the knowledge into practice.

Tuesday 16th November

All courses are from 10.15am - 4.45pm. Cost is 20€ per day (18€ for bookings made and paid for before the end of September). All provide course material and suggestions for relevant places to visit.

To book: phone 06 27 04 56 29 or send cheque (payable to W. Mewes) to Cosquinquis, 29190 Lennon or pay at a Brittany Walks event.

THE HISTORY OF BRITTANY – a four day course

The course provides a straightforward introduction to the complex history of Brittany, including sources of evidence, people and places, and major events. The style of learning is inter-active, with exercises, discussions and group work based on the course material.

A very successful first version of this four day study course was held in spring 2009. We covered Brittany history from the megalithic structures of the Neolithic period up to the 20th century. It was a highly enjoyable experience for tutor and students alike!

Comments from participants:

“Immensely informative and entertaining. No-one resident in Brittany should miss this course”

“Thoroughly enjoyable. Fun and informative. Good teaching techniques made what could be very boring subjects very interesting. Many thanks.”

“Excellent, enjoyable course... If you live here it’s a must!”

Course Tutor

Wendy Mewes is an experienced guide, teacher, course presenter and writer. The author of eight books about Brittany, including Discovering the History of Brittany (2006), Walking the Brittany Coast and a guide to the Nantes-Brest Canal, she also broadcasts a radio series about the history of Brittany for AIKB community radio and has been filmed for regional French TV for her work on the Nantes-Brest canal. Her latest book, the Footprint guide to Brittany, came out in May 2010. She has been teaching and writing about history for more than 25 years.