Travelling clockwise along the coast of Brittany we already have a different opinion of this region compared to last year when the heat and crowds got the better of us, so when the opportunity arises for us to housesit we take the chance to spend time in one of the villages we just drove straight past last year.
This time we will be housesitting in the village of Plouarzel for Marie and Matt, a Franco-British couple who have recently moved from the UK back to Marie’s birth place with Farinelli their beloved cat who we will be looking after.
Their home is a lovely detached house in a big garden just a few minutes walk from the centre of the village that has everything we need so we don’t have to travel far.
The village of Plouarzel runs from the peaceful countryside down to the sea, where we stand on the most westerly point of mainland France.
Known in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries for its looters of wrecks, the commune of Plouarzel is the largest municipality in the Pays d’Iroise, which has gradually developed into a popular tourist destination, this area also hosts an important wind farm that has been the topic of conversation in the local newspaper here.
Along this part of the coastline the cliffs, dunes, coves and white-sand beaches follow one another, with harbours and shelters dotted amongst them.
Before last year the image we had of Brittany was partly due to the cliches we heard about the area with the weather and how cold the sea was being just a couple of things, in reality, the time we have spent here we have had mostly bright sunny days, a climate that didn’t feel like it was suffocating us like the heat we had earlier on in our trip and as for the cold sea, I tell myself it’s good for firming the skin up and take the plunge.
We have enjoyed being in Brittany this time around and have found it to be not unlike the West Country of England, Cornwall or Devon with houses that look like old British cottages and with its Celtic origins, every village seems to have their own style, culture and language.
The pace of life in the village we are in is slow and standing in the queue for half an hour at the Boulangerie becomes a daily part of our routine whilst here and from talking to the locals this doesn’t seem to be a problem for them, they believe a good old chat will help you to forget about all the tensions of today’s busy lifestyle, so I can see why so many frazzled holidaymakers flock to this peaceful region in the summer to get away from the harsher realities of life.
This area definitely reminds us of places in the back home with Old Stone cottages full of character
Farinelli (also called Mowmow) is pur -fect during the day but come early evening he decides to go walkabout, we then embark on an evening of cat and mouse trying to get him in.
The name Plouarzel comes from the name of Saint Arzel, a Welsh monk who came to find the parish centuries ago.
The Pays d’Iroise boasts the highest menhir in Europe on its territory and in the village this week there is an exhibition taking place showing amazing photos of these large rocks.
War vor ha war zouar is the motto of the village meaning – On sea and land
At the end of the Middle Ages, Hervé de Porsmoguer, a brilliant captain from Plouarzel, whose motto became that of the town, distinguished himself in front of Pointe St-Mathieu in a naval battle against the English. He sacrificed his brand-new warship and his entire crew to sink the enemy flagship.
This is the pick of the pumpkin patch growing in the hedge opposite where we are staying
When the hydrangeas are in bloom, they give a very picturesque atmosphere they are everywhere in the village
I don’t have a photo of this, however when our bank card is declined at Super U because of scammers, I get a growing queue of amused French people watching me try to decide what I’m going to put back because I have less than €10 cash with me, obviously the Breton Apple cake was a priority!!
John gets out and about cycling around the area
Our neighbours chickens take a casual stroll each day
Couldn’t resist making Cinnamon Apple topping from the apples growing in the garden
Looks like heaven! We are definitely going to give housesitting a go, looks like a win win to us!
I’m sure you would enjoy it