The once and future king.

This first ever exhibition dedicated to the legend of King Arthur aims to retrace, understand and explain the mythology related to Arthur. This event boasts the prestigious "Exposition d'intérêt national" label (or "exhibition of interest to the nation") which is granted by the ministry of culture.

This legend is one if not the most important literary and artistic theme in European culture, and it has always been a highly-popular story. The Champs Libre exhibition aims to reveal the actual King arthur, the keystone of a veritable literary institution that blends magic, war and love… Aside the actual historical fact, this expo refers to old sources as much as contemporary adaptations, in order to better understand the birth of an almost universal legend.

Over 200 works linked to the myth will be on display, along with a number of historical and iconographical documents.

Sailor's fashion…

This exhibition is dedicated to Brittany, and in particular historic Brittany with its unique and unusual costumes. A well known Breton aphorism stated: "a hundred countries, a hundred fashions" - each burg had its own traditional garb which was different from that of its neighbour.

This tour/expo will be an opportunity to discover the various garments of Breton country.

The green thumb of Rennes…

The city of Rennes is linked to the history of gardening. Though green areas were located solely outside the city during the Middle Ages, gardens soon became a central feature of the city's landscape, especially in new areas such as Courrouze.

This feature is the focus of the exhibition: green spaces in Rennes and the ways in which locals make the most of them.

Nature, civilisation, politics…

The 08-09 season of the Passerelle art centre will this year be dedicated to "political metaphor", nature, and its domestication.

From September 12th 2008, the Passerelle art centre will be presenting a monographic exhibition dedicated to Tania Mouraud, an art display broken into two phases.

The first will deal with the relations between political image and complex, multifaceted civilisation, while the second will be focused on the representation of nature in relation to politics.

The alphabet of history…

Museum collections have often been put together by seemingly ordinary men who were no more than victims of circumstance; brought by chance to discover a field of research, they often became passionate scholars, archeologists or explorers…

For example, naturalist Frédéric Cailliaud came across egyptian civilisation during the Napoleonic campaigns. In 1882 he embarked on an expidition up the Nile to the antique city of Meroë - he returned with countless artefacts and a mine of information. There is also Louis Audemard who travelled to Carthage in 1889 and brought back a collection of funerary urns…

These botanists, mineralogists, doctors, printers, artists, preachers and explorers all shared a common culture - they worshipped curiosity and asked only to transmit what they had learned.

Digging into the past…

For 20 years now, archaeological research has been taking place at Mez Notario, located at the centre of the Isle of Ouessant. The excavation site, managed by Jean-Paul Le Bihan, director of the Finistère Centre for Archaeological Research (CRAF), required 400 professional and volunteer diggers to help bring to light many fascinating details about the origin of Ouessant.

The Armoric Regional Natural Park and the CRAF have organized an exhibit which retraces the history of the digs at Mez Notario to be presented at the Museum of Phares and Balises ("Lighthouses and Beacons"). Numerous objects, scale models and preparation materials will be on display. Visitors will be able to easily reconstruct the history of this fascinating island by visiting the site.

Nature through the looking glass…

The Living Boundaries series represents the views from inside modern houses in Florida, creating a contrast between habitats (all so similar and standardised) and the wild, unpredictable natural landscapes outside.

The photographs are framed by window frames, giving the impression that the view outside is no more than a painting on a wall, the motif of a strip of wallpaper…

The window is the boundary between the two worlds -- the inside is seen without, and the outside crosses over to the inside; household elements are outside the frame, while the exterior is framed, nature becoming another decorative element within the house.

Menhirs and dolmens of yore…

Locmariaquer's megalithic site features three structures epitomising Breton megalithic architecture: the great broken menhir, the dolmen known as the Merchants' Table and the Er Grah tumulus, all of which were erected between 4,700 and 3,800 B.C.. This was the Neolithic period, when man began to form settlements, to experiment with and develop animal husbandry, farming, pottery, weaving, etc.

A tour of the site is an excellent introduction to megalithic civilisation and architecture, featuring as it does the three types of monuments from that era. Also, the whole is ideally situated in a stunning natural setting overlooking the Morbihan Gulf and Quiberon Bay. In the Neolithic period, before the level of the seas rose, these expanses would have been not gulf and bay but expansive, grassy plains...

Long before Obélix.

On the Kernéléhen peninsula in Finistère-Nord, the Barnenez cairn (a large tumulus) is one of the earliest traces in Europe of construction using permanent materials. The gigantic megalith dates from the Neolithic period, which saw the first appearance of polished stone, animal husbandry and farming in Europe.
On the crown of a hill overlooking the Channel, this curious construction from the dawn of time is remarkable for its elongated shape and for its age, somewhere between 4,500 and 3,500 B.C. The long corridors leading to the funerary chambers may be interpreted as funerary spaces or for purposes of initiation.
The sheer size of the monument is intriguing: 72 metres long, some 20 to 25 metres wide at different points, and 9 metres in height. Added together, the stones represent a volume of between 6,500 and 7,000 cubic metres and a weight of 12 to 14,000 tonnes.
In reality, it is made up of two juxtaposed cairns, saved at the very last minute from destruction in 1955. The stone is decorated with figures of idols carved inside shields, carved signs forming V shapes and knapped axe-heads. The monument has also yielded up a number of flints, pottery shards and polished axe-heads.

An unforgettable plunge into the world's oceans.

The fantastic journey provided by the Grand Aquarium is an attraction not to be missed in Saint-Malo. With its spectacular tanks and cutting-edge displays, the aquarium offers a captivating insight into the rich worlds to be found under the sea. Discover an astonishing 600 species!
Follow the direction of the visit, from the cold oceans of the north to tropical seas, via sharks in the 360° tank, to the mysterious denizens of the sunken galleon and brightly-coloured tropical species.
Enjoy the unique experience of undersea exploring in the Nautilus submarine.

Between land and sea.

This magnificent path follows the steep coastal cliffs to explore the coastline and the magnificent turn of the century mansions such as the orientally inspired "Kermoor", before intersecting with the GR 34 footpath for a distance of 5.5km along the coast, on land belonging to the commune.
Le Portrieux, where the first infrastructure work on the bay was carried out, saw the first schooners setting off for the Newfoundland fishing grounds in 1612.
Wallk along Portrieux beach to the roundabout and take the steps that lead up to a magnificent panoramic view of the Port d'Armor, the only deepwater harbour between Cherbourg and Brest, and also over La Comtesse beach and the island of the same name, accessible on foot at low tide.
At the Pointe du Sémaphore, the orientation table identifies key landmarks out to sea, from Bréhat to Cap Fréhel, with an overview of: the plateau of the Iles Saint-Quay, 10km long and 3km wide, as well as Ile Harbour, easily recognised by its house and lighthouse.
Continue along the beaches of Châtelet, Casino and La Grève Noire, the Pointe de l'Isnain and the Grève Gicquel beneath the rock of Gerbot d'Avoine, then the Saint-Quay fountain commemorating the arrival of the evangelising saint, and on to the Pointe du Romeur marking the limit between the communes of Saint-Quay-Portrieux and Tréveneuc.
View over the cove of Saint-Marc and the 18th century chapel.

Museum and laboratory.

The Marinarium in Concarneau is a laboratory museum, exhibiting the work of researchers in the fields of marine life, the environment and marine resources.
The marinarium is housed in the world's oldest marine research station, built in 1859, which still features the original vivariums. The exhibition now on display recounts the scientific adventure of exploring the world of the sea: the first experiments in marine aquaculture, the identification of the many organisms that make up plankton, the discovery of potentially therapeutic compounds or new species of fish. The oceans cover two thirds of the total surface area of the Earth. Estimates suggest that the diversity of life forms in this ocean world is between 1,000 to 10,000 times greater than on land!

Perfect for an aperitif or a digestif!

Once you climb the nine steps leading up to this building dating from 1737, you'll find yourself in one of Rennes' cosiest bars. Every attention has been paid to the decoration for a slightly Latino setting, with Louis XVI armchairs and exposed beams against deep red walls.
Every day a different cocktail is on offer, often based on jam or fresh fruit, but you can also choose from the list of Cuban cocktails that are a speciality of the house: mojito and pina colada. There is a special themed evening every month, with a different theme every time, but the prevailing musical style is electro.

Stones ancient beyond belief.

Dating from some 6,000 years ago, the megalithic site at Carnac is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. Around 3,000 menhirs (standing stones) are aligned over an area of 40 hectares and a distance of 4 kilometres.
The Kermario, Le Menec, Kerlescan and Petit Menec (La Trinité-sur-Mer) alignments, which together form the Carnac site, represent one of the first monumental stone structures in Europe.
Plans are under way to redevelop the site to improve facilities for visitors, to enhance the landscaping and architectural qualities of the site and, by creating pedestrian and cycle paths, to open up new ways of visiting the monument.

Rural history for the cityfolk…

The agricultural tour provided by the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes is an introduction to the history of Breton farming. As you make your way along, take the opportunity to admire the plant collections and learn about which crops were farmed over the centuries, which are obsolete, and which are mass-produced today. One of the aims of the museum and this guided tour is to ensure the survival of certain plant species.

The orchard, where over a hundred apple varieties are grown, is particularly impressive.

Visit the Château de Quintin and its permanent collections.

Two chateaux for the price of one in the same park, in the centre of the characterful town of Quintin. An unfinished 17th century chateau, listed as an historic monument, and an 18th century chateau, also listed.
The base of the 17th century chateau, the richly furnished apartments of the 18th century chateau, the former kitchens (including a granite kitchen-garden of extraordinary size), the permanent collections of china, glassware, silverware, trinkets, christening robes and fans are open all year round.

Inspired by a learned Scotsman.

The museum's earliest collections are owed to a learned Scotsman by the name of James Miln.
The furniture and the archaeological treasures discovered at Carnac are for the most part presented in the Musée de la Préhistoire.
Visitors will follow the adventures of mankind from the Old Stone Age (450,000 years ago) to the Gallo-Roman period (4th century B.C.), by way of the Neolithic period when the megaliths were erected. A total of 6,600 exhibits are on display.

Swing like a pro!

A matter of minutes from the beaches of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, the Ajoncs d'Or golf-course successfully accommodates players of all levels.
The "leisure" golfer is guaranteed a good game; the more experienced golfer keen to take on the technical challenge of the course is advised to bring out some top shots!

Compact course, golf lessons, equipment hire, pro-shop: everything is on hand to help you get the best out of this 18-hole course.

Place Charles de Gaulle: before and after.

You can admire this exhibition for the whole duration of the renovation period. This outdoor exhibit is dedicated to the historical evolution of the place Charles de Gaulle, but also to the soon-to-be renovated esplanade signed urban planner Nicolas Michelin.

You might be interested to know that this major square had four different names since its foundation, or that it was actually bombed during World War II.

The six display panels will showcase the various renovations projects for the esplanade which will become a huge entertainment centre with a multi-screen cinema, underground parking lot, a completely renovated Liberté, a Youth Centre and a Welcoming Centre for students and foreign academics.

Discover the secrets of history!

Discover fascinating collections of Egyptian, Greek or Etruscan art in the brand new archaeology display space at the Fine-Arts Museum. A restored sarcophagus will be there to greet you from September…

Though the Egyptian collection is a large, coherent ensemble (with in particular the giant stele, courtesy of Doctor Godefroy in 1871), the other collections are significantly more specialised.

The Greek section is mostly comprised or Corinthian and Attic ceramic pieces (from the Campana collection). The Etruscans are represented by beautiful bronze and ceramic works, and the Romans by sumptuous bronze statues.

Authenticity intact.

The Domaine de Kerazan estate was bequeathed to the Institut de France in 1928 by Joseph Astor, the last of an eminent Breton family.
The estate consists of a manor house surrounded by 5 hectares of parkland and a vast expanse of farmland and forests. The land is farmed and maintained in accordance with the wishes of the testator, who stipulated that it should be inalienable.

The manor stands in the Finistère département, halfway between Pont-l'Abbé and Loctudy and some twenty kilometres south-west of Quimper, in Cornouaille, part of the "Bigouden country".
The heart of the estate is the manor house itself, its commons and its park, and the adjoining farm of Grand Kerazan: this was the "big farm", occupied by the "big farmer".
The most striking aspect of the estate is its authenticity: the buildings have remained intact, the manor house retains all its furnishings and collections, as if Joseph-Georges Astor had left it only yesterday.

Attacking the Tour Solidor!

The Solidor Tower at Saint-Servan houses the Saint-Malo Museum's collection on this theme.
Numerous models, ship's instruments and objects, made by mariners during their long voyages or brought back as souvenirs of distant shores, fire the imagination with images of extraordinary voyages on the great sailing ships of the late 19th and early 20th century that carried cargoes of nitrates from Chile, wood and grain from California or Australia, nickel from New Caledonia, etc.

The "Solidor Tower" is in fact a fortified structure that originally consisted of a small guard-tower, the existing bastion which incorporates sections of Gallo-Roman masonry, and the three towers connected by curtain walls to the main body of the fortress.
Work on building the fortified keep began between 1369 and 1382, on the orders of Duke Jean IV of Brittany as a means of controlling the town of Saint-Malo, recalcitrant to his authority.

Natural local flavours!

Quimper, one of the key towns of Finistère, offers a splendid range of markets.
Connoisseurs of Breton produce will appreciate the best of Brittany's vegetables like the cauliflower, as well as salty Breton caramels for those with a sweet tooth...

13 centuries of farming history.

South of Rennes at the farm of la Bintinais, the Ecomuseum features exhibits on the history of Rennes and also serves as an observatory of ancient breeds of animals that have been preserved.
Lovingly restored, the farm recounts five centuries of the region's history through costumes, tools, farming equipment and reconstituted rooms (kitchens, larder).

A writer's whole life in this house.

Ernest Renan (1823-1892) was born in a late 16th century/early 17th century half-timbered Breton house. The street front facade is two storeys high and corbelled.
While the author spent only the first fifteen years of his life here, he never parted with the house and continued to spend his holidays here.

The interior has been designed to recreate the presence of Renan as a child, as a teenager and as a famous writer: it contains the room where he was born, with its granite fireplace and box-bed, the schoolboy's room under the eaves with a little desk, and also a reconstitution of Renan's study at the Collège de France.

A tribute to valiant men.

Continuing its task of showcasing the Citadelle de Port-Louis, the Musée National de la Marine decided to create a new section, unique in France, dedicated to the extraordinary history of sea rescue.

Courage, self-denial, discretion, modesty... there is no lack of words of praise to heap on these men who, down the years, have risked their lives to save others.
Coxswains, second coxswains and crewmen have handed down their stories, and today's lifeboat men keep the tradition alive, united in the face of the universal danger, the pitiless perils of the sea.
The terrifying sight of storm conditions on the rocky coastline of Brittany or elsewhere compels each of us to ask ourselves, in our heart of hearts: would I have dared?

From the earliest days of sea-rescue under sails and oars to today's search and rescue helicopters, human courage is honoured in the precious mementoes of lifeboat crews, in touching pictures and photographs, model boats and specialised equipment.
Supplemented by archive pictures, films and sound recordings, the entire presentation centres on a striking exhibit: the Commandant Philippes de Kerhallet lifeboat (1897), the last survivor of its kind.

In the very heart of Brittany, which has known so many maritime disasters, the 350m² of the new citadel exhibition rooms, Naufrages et Fraternités, l'Univers de la mer (shipwrecks and brotherhood, the world of the sea), dedicated to sea rescue, pay a more than well-earned tribute to the dedication of the unsung sailor heroes who, as true men of the sea, seek no glory for themselves.