Blog

Gaia

How could the Earth, Gaia, with all her beauty and perfect conditions for us and for so many other forms of life to flourish, be anything but a living being … an angel? To come face to face with the Earth not as a conglomeration of physical facts but in the person of its Angel…
Read More Gaia
brittany forest walks

Great Ideas For Forest Walks

If you are looking for a woodland walk, or maybe a mushroom gathering expedition, you will be spoilt for choice in Brittany’s many national forests. You can observe and be fascinated by the wildlife and the gorgeous woodland scents will be a tonic to recharge those batteries. Huelgoat Forest You will probably feel small up…
Read More Great Ideas For Forest Walks
explore vannes

Explore Vannes

On the south coast of Brittany, you will find Vannes. It is quite a sizeable town and is also Morbihan’s capital. When you visit Morbihan, Vannes is one of the highlights you won’t want to miss. There is a great deal to discover in this fascinating historical town, so I would recommend allowing plenty of…
Read More Explore Vannes
Cotes d’Armor

COTES-D’ARMOR

The Cotes d’Armor department is in northern Brittany. It is mainly visited for its stunning coastline including the coast of pink granite and many of its beaches. Alongside these are the attractive historical towns such as Dinan and Lannion which provide a fascinating insight into the long and colourful history of the region. The Cotes…
Read More COTES-D’ARMOR

Saint Nazaire

Saint Nazaire – The Harbour Saint Nazaire is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France. The town has a major harbour on the right bank of the Loire river estuary, which is near the Atlantic Ocean. The port has always been at the soul of Saint-Nazaires’ history , its very raison d’etre. These…
Read More Saint Nazaire
dinard

Have You Visited Dinard?

Dinard is on the coast of north eastern Brittany just across the Rance estuary from Saint Malo. The beginning of Dinard as a fishing village were pushed aside at the end of the 19th century, when the wealthy and fashionable of that time built their luxury houses there. Dinard has an unexpectedly mild climate for…
Read More Have You Visited Dinard?
brest

Brest

Brest is Brittany’s second largest administrative centres and really does have a lot to offer. In 1944 Brest was heavily bombed however it was not this that was the towns most interesting feature. It has been rebuilt around a vision of the future, with incredible constructions like the Pont de l’Iroise bridge which crosses the…
Read More Brest
saint malo

Saint Malo

The stunning city of St Malo in Brittany curves out to the sea on a natural and beautiful harbour, that has created some of the best sandy beaches on the Emerald Coast. St Malo was built on a rock standing in a naturally defensive position at the mouth of the river Rance. The city’s roots…
Read More Saint Malo
coastal walking in brittany

Coastal Walking in Brittany

Brittany’s coastline stretches to more than 1200kms. From Mont St Michel which goes just into Normandy and along to the Loire. It provides all you could possibly want in terms of sightseeing and gorgeous walks. The west and north coasts are the best areas to focus on. With the great expanse of wilderness which you…
Read More Coastal Walking in Brittany
quimper

Quimper

Quimper is the administrative capital of the Finistere department and it is also regarded by many as the cultural heart of Brittany. The town is best known for its cathedral, the atmospheric old quarter and the wonderful museums but it is also well known for its annual festival which celebrates Breton culture. You will find…
Read More Quimper
brittany and its heritage

Brittany and it’s Heritage

Brittany from its walled cities and glorious castles to magnificent churches, its built heritage look pretty appealing. Traditional farms and manors are liberally scattered across the beautiful countryside. The church commissioned both fine and modest buildings from major abbeys and cathedrals to the tiniest, quaintest chapels. Maritime Heritage Brittany has numerous traditional fishing ports and…
Read More Brittany and it’s Heritage
code de granit rose

Cote De Granit Rose

The Cote de Granit Rose (pink granit coast) runs between Plestin Les Greves and Louannec in the Cotes d’Armor department of Brittany and is in fact one of the most beautiful and outstanding coastlines in Europe. This amazing thirty kilometre stretch of coast has an incredible pink colour which is edged with turquoise sea and…
Read More Cote De Granit Rose
Domaine de Boutiguery

Domaine de Boutiguery

The Domain of Boutiguery is located on the left bank of the beautiful river Odet, which is in the locality of Pors-Mellou (port of mills) in the commune of Gouesnach in south Finistere. The Boutiguery estate bursts into flower every Spring, with an explosion of stunning colours, when its 400,00 Azaleas and Rhododendrons come into…
Read More Domaine de Boutiguery
a prehistory of brittany

A Prehistory of Brittany

Brittany or how it was known in antiquity, the Armorican peninsula, is famed for its numerous Neolithic monuments. Most of the great burial chambers here predate the Egyptian pyramids by a long time. They consisted of a dolmen or stone chamber, for the bodies, covered by a tumulus, an earth mound. As to the many…
Read More A Prehistory of Brittany
brehat island brittany

Brehat Island

Off the coast of Paimpol is Ile Brehat which is in fact one of Brittany’s loveliest island. It is a small island also affectionately known as the ‘Island of Flowers’. The setting of the trees and flowers against the beautiful backdrop of the pink granite of the island makes it a very attractive combination. Brehat…
Read More Brehat Island

A Box of Memories

Guest post by Fruitcake @barjan Josie wandered tentatively down to the stream and sat down on the bank, shielding her eyes from the strong July sun, as it’s rays sent fingers of light through the trees on the other side. She watched as the warm breeze played with the top of the water, forming ever…
Read More A Box of Memories

New Beginnings – A short story

By Fruitcake @barjan The bright yellow taxi pulled up outside Patsy’s flat and sounded the horn, she was rushing around grabbing her coat and baggage and then remembered that she hadn’t left her flatmate the note about the plumber coming tomorrow morning, she opened the door and yelled to the taxi driver “I’m just coming,…
Read More New Beginnings – A short story

Is there a Cure?

Guest Blog by @cheekiweeki Driving in the car this morning and listened to 5Live. Very interesting. You can play it and listenat this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07z3z98 . Emma interviewed a lady in the studio who was diagnosed with cancer in May 2016 with Stage 4. She was offered palliative care by the NHS who told her…
Read More Is there a Cure?

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres

Guest post by @prasanna “Beauty doth of itself persuade the eyes of men without an orator.” — Shakespeare Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres Chartres Cathedral remains supreme in Christian cathedral culture. It is the incarnation of the Sacred, par excellence, whatever the form, and for many Chartres is a place of extraordinary light. Located in the…
Read More Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres

The Challenge

Guest blog by Fruitcake @barjan Andrew woke with a start from his doze on the beach, as something was pulling his sleeve and a strange voice was pleading with him “Please come and help us, we can’t manage on our own”. When Andrew opened his eyes he jumped up with a start “What the…?” a…
Read More The Challenge
united we stand

United We Stand

Hello there my fellow community brothers and sisters of this world! Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to our supportive members who have helped shape and grow our community, as well as offer a very warm welcome to all our new members. Our little community has grown from a tiny acorn…
Read More United We Stand

Continuing saga of Fruitcake’s French Adventure – Diary of Events twixt Compromis & Acte

Blog by Fruitcake @barjan Saturday 1st April We have been back from our cottage for only one week – it seems longer – we speak of nothing else, our lives are spent either thinking of our last trip or planning the next, or wondering how long it will be before we can move there permanently…
Read More Continuing saga of Fruitcake’s French Adventure – Diary of Events twixt Compromis & Acte

The Train – A short story.

Guest Blog by Fruitcake @barjan THE TRAIN The guard blew the whistle, the doors closed and the train glided out of the station, Mary settled back in her seat ready to enjoy the gentle swaying of the carriage and the soothing “click clack” of the wheels on the track as the train gathered speed. She…
Read More The Train – A short story.

The rest of our first stay.

Guest blog by Fruitcake @barjan The day after our signing (also our wedding anniversary) we awoke to a lovely, sunny, crisp, frosty morning after a really cosy and warm night, it turned into a really warm day. After breakfast we got into our work clothes and spent the whole day clearing the rest of the…
Read More The rest of our first stay.

We’re Off at Last!

We were up at 3am Sunday morning and, after a quick bowl of cereal, made our way to Dover to sail at 5.30am and thankfully we had an uneventful journey and a lovely crossing to be followed by a very calm and problem free journey when we arrived in France, at last! At 2.30pm we…
Read More We’re Off at Last!

The Sense of Feeling Good

Smell New mown hay, ripened corn, blossom wafting on the breeze, old fashioned roses, lavender, fat ripe peaches and strawberries. New born babies, fresh milled coffee, honeysuckle really sweet, laundry dried on a sunny day, the sea, and bluebells in woods sheltered from the heat. Sight Daffodils, cowslips and all the flowers of the spring,…
Read More The Sense of Feeling Good

You have got to ‘Lurv the French’!

Bonjour…Ca Va…?? It has often been said/thought by many, that ‘If I had a brain, I would be seriously bl**dy dangerous’…!!!….. ….and today is absolutely nay exception….!!! …..This morning I nipped to the village to grab some diluting juice for the children that are coming with their parents for the neighbours ‘Afternoon Tea Portes Ouvertes’…
Read More You have got to ‘Lurv the French’!

Maisie & Doris

A short story by Fruitcake @barjan Maisie & Doris strolled along the sea front, as they often did on a fine afternoon, sometimes they would stroll in companionable silence, just enjoying each other’s company, sometimes, like today, they would find all sorts to chat about. Maisie & Doris have been friends for over forty years,…
Read More Maisie & Doris

What is it my love?

A poem by Fruitcake @barjan Her eyes are red rimmed, she’s been crying it seems, the love of my life, the girl of my dreams “What is it my love? You’re upset I can tell, I love you my darling, I know you so well” She answers me not, her head bowed down low, there’s…
Read More What is it my love?

The Start of Our Adventure…

After our friends bought a holiday home in the Mayenne, we realised that it could be possible for us to realise our dream to renovate an old cottage and have a piece of land. Two years of saving every penny we could by working extra hours (7 days per week for hubby) selling all we…
Read More The Start of Our Adventure…

How to open a bank account in France

Opening a personal bank account for EU passport holder as a resident in France is not too difficult. There are eight retail high street banks in France, as follows: Crédit Agricole (CA) BNP Paribas. Société Générale. Caisse d’Epargne (CE) Banque Populaire (BP) Crédit Mutuel. La Banque Postale. LCL. Requirements are a Passport, occasionally a birth…
Read More How to open a bank account in France

Humour even in death

Over dinner last night we got to talking about all the people that had sadly died this year, and as often happens you pour another and start to reminisce of memories past, and remarkably how even in death humour can be found. When my lovely Mum passed away, Dad struggled to deal with where and…
Read More Humour even in death

The Infamous Carte Vitale

Oh dear me! The infamous carte vitale. Absolutely essential if you find it necessary to access medical care. A prime example of French bureaucracy at its best. Essential in the sense that without it you’re not registered with the French health healthcare system and if you’re not registered with the French healthcare system you have…
Read More The Infamous Carte Vitale
selling a car in france

Selling a car in France

For those who are selling a car in France – it can be a little confusing as we just found as the legalities are a little different to the UK. I have listed them and put links in where appropriate. The following documents are necessary and are to be competed by the Seller. Certificat de…
Read More Selling a car in France

Learn From Mistakes

When I left school at 15yrs old I was encouraged to work in an office – I hated it! Mum said I could hand in my month’s notice on condition I found another job before the month was up. “What do you want to do?” asked a friend “I don’t really know, something to do…
Read More Learn From Mistakes

The Clock Upon the Wall

By Andy Kennedy While I was lying in hospital with nothing to do I was watching the second hand on the clock up on the wall. As I watched it ticking its way around I thought, that’s my life ticking away, each tick is another second of my life gone and I thunk this poem…
Read More The Clock Upon the Wall

Trees and Wild Spaces

Brittany reminds me of Trees and wild-spaces. I would like to post a tribute to trees by the fabulous writer Herman Hesse. Image: Huelgoat from a visit some years back. I love the trees there. The magic of bolders and glades and the small grottos with their tiny caves. “For me, trees have always been…
Read More Trees and Wild Spaces

I’m a little chicken

Me Pam Ayres Bit I am a little chicken, I trot about all day quietly a-pecking in the normal way I ‘ave some corn each day and me oats about once a week The corn is quite delicious of the oats I cannot speak! The farmer treats me kindly ‘e treats me with respect but…
Read More I’m a little chicken

La Pierre Le Bigaut

La Pierre Le Bigaut – Huge Annual Charity Cycling Event Callac – Brittany – France – 25th June 2016 Europe’s 3rd largest cycling event starts every year from the Place du Centre in Callac. The Pierre le Bigaut event draws up to 7000 cyclists from all over Europe and is essentially a charity event to…
Read More La Pierre Le Bigaut

The Donald

I am amazed to see that poor ole ‘The Donald’ is losing on this site’s poll. Having spent five months in the States, October through February, and I listen to American radio every day, it seems to me that many people on this side of the pond are not in tune with what is going…
Read More The Donald

The love of dogs.

When I arrived in Finistère with my husband and son I wondered how I would go about making new friends, we had two french families we knew well but didn’t want to live in their pocket. I saw an ad in a local farmers co-op for a dog training school and having two Field champion…
Read More The love of dogs.

Costa Ingles

I have been gone from UK for just over eight years now apart from a weekend visit to take a relative back. My reasons for leaving were the same as many and judging by what has been happening since I left, I know we made the right decision. This was bought into focus more strongly…
Read More Costa Ingles

La Bonne Vie!

Well! We moved to north Morbihan at the beginning of November, 2015, amidst horror stories about French bureaucracy and bureaucrats. About the way they treat people, the way they suddenly go off to another department, the way they suddenly close for lunch (nobody interferes with a French fonctionaire’s lunch!), their general superior, sneering attitude, and…
Read More La Bonne Vie!
i can laugh about it now

I can laugh about it now…

Last year around this time our toilet started to evacuate at a more slower speed than normal. This did not impress me one bit. I let it develop hoping the toilet fairies would fix it one night but no luck there. The bowl started to fill almost to the rim and then it would slowly…
Read More I can laugh about it now…
enquire within upon everything

Enquire Within Upon Everything

Enquire Within Upon Everything was a how-to book for domestic life, first published in 1856 by Houlston and Sons of Paternoster Square in London. The editor was Robert Kemp Philp. It was then continuously reprinted in many new and updated editions as additional information and articles were added. The book was created with the intention…
Read More Enquire Within Upon Everything

Guest Blogging

Would you like to write a blog for United in Brittany? If you have something to say then we would love to hear it! Life in Brittany can bring some pretty interesting tales so if you have a story to share about your experiences then this is the place to do it. From cautionary tales…
Read More Guest Blogging