Popular Tales & Legends of Brittany

We can imagine the scene. It is a late April evening. Everyone has gathered at Perik's house. Someone has finished singing an old tune and a festive joy reigns in the house.

The young Emile Souvestre, lawyer and journalist, is ready with his notebook and prepares to record in shorthand the story that follows.

The light of the fire illuminates Annick's face -everyone is expectant- and she begins the tale:"Long, long ago, ere the acorns were sown which have since furnished timber for the oldest vessels of the port of Brest, there lived in the parish of Guirek a poor widow..."These are the stories and legends that are told next to the fireplace.

Brittany is the land where the tales of goblins and fairies and ancient druidic rituals intersect with the Christian faith, giving its stories a unique and characteristic flavor.

We offer here a selection of those published in 1844, by Emile Souvestre in his "Foyer Breton".