Anne de Bretagne
Portrait's détail
by Bourdichon,
National Public Library,
Paris

At the extreme spit of France, Brittany is the far travellers’ earth. From its ports are issued the great explorators (Duguay-Trouin, La Bourdonnais), the famous privateers of St-Malo (Surcouf), and the Royale marine commanding officers (Du Bouëxic, De Guichen, De Besné, La Motte-Piquet). And recently, regattas’ lovers have in their mind the name of Tabarly. As a Celtic tradition's earth, Brittany, was independent under the Merovingians’ reign. Linked to the Plantagenêt dynastic family in 1166, it was disputed between France and England. Later, Brittany was in rebellion against the central power at many times during the monarchy (conspiracies of Pontcallec and Cellamare) and under the French Revolution with Cadoudal.