Exploring the Rich Cultural and Design Entrepreneurial
Heritage of the unique Breton region of France, 2024
December 5-19, 2024
University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning students study abroad in Brittany, immersing themselves in the culture through artistic and entrepreneurial lenses. Understanding the deep ties to exceptional folklore, customs, music, and dress that remain a vivid homage to their past, yet are securely anchored in the present.
Brittany's diversity as a region has allowed for a focus on innovation and alternatives to traditional business, where the dynamism of creativity and craftsmanship is driven by micro enterprises. The students participated in a creative project with the Cadiou Industry in Locronan in preparation of the trip and presented during their time in Brittany. The company is a great example of using design to the service of the market in unique ways.
Program Overview
December 5th and 6th
Lilia, Bretagne, France
Norzh House
Students trying Crepes
Bedroom in Norzh House
Arrival in Lilia
Travel Day! We departed from Cincinnati, Ohio and arrived in Paris at 6am local time. At 12:30, they boarded a plane to Brest, France, and took a bus to their our destination, Lilia. The rest of the evening was dedicated to rest after arrival.
Saturday, December 7th
Lilia, Bretagne, France
Lilia landscape
Shopping in Hoalen
Enjoying Le Homard Noir coffee shop
Students tackling windy walk
After a much-needed rest, we met in the afternoon to try some local fish rillettes with fresh baguettes from the local épicerie. Then we departed from our lodging and took a short walk to Hoalen, a unique clothing store on the coast.
Students were able to see more of the beautiful town of Lilia, while fighting the 60mph windstorm, and speak to the Hoalen employees about their store.
Sunday, December 8th
Lilia, Bretagne, France
Group lunch with property owners
Ile Wrac'h Lighthouse
Anne-marie preparing seafood
Group walking back from the lighthouse
The next day, we had the opportunity to try a feast of local seafood, including oysters, shrimp, escargot, and two kinds of crab. We all enjoyed trying the food and getting to talk to the owners of the houses we were staying in to learn
about the importance of eco-housing in Brittany, France. We then walked along the coast and across the low tide to visit the Ile Wrac'h Lighthouse.
Monday, December 9th
Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Brest, and Quimper
View of Point Saint-Mathiew
Wall Mural in Brest
Students exploring Point Saint- Mathiew
Interior of Point Saint-Mathiew
We said “Au Revoir” to Lilia and began our trip by bus to Quimper. Along the way, we made a stop at Pointe Saint-Mathieu, a striking lighthouse that watches over the ruins of a former abbey. The bus then took us to visit the city of Brest,
where we got lunch and had time to explore the city. Later, we arrived in Quimper around 6 pm, where we unpacked and had time to begin exploring the new, exciting city.
Tuesday, December 10th
Quimper, Bretagne, France
Saint Corentin Cathedral
Musee Breton - Quimper
Tour of Quimper
Château de Trévarez
The day started off with a guided tour of Quimper, the Breton capital of Art and History. Some stops included the river boardwalk and the cathedral. Next, we took a tour of the Museum Departmental Breton, where we saw how art
informed the culture of Quimper. After, we had the unique
opportunity to see the Departmental Reserve of hidden treasures that populate the Museum and learn even more about Breton’s rich history. That evening, we visited the Château de Trévarez to see the Christmas light show projected onto the Château.
Wednesday, December 11th
Quimper, Bretagne, France
Armor Lux
Armor Lux
Faïencerie de Cornouaille
Faïencerie de Cornouaille
We departed by bus in the morning to visit Armor-Lux’s textile factory, an iconic French fashion brand created in 1938 in Quimper. We had a guided visit of their production facilities to learn about Armor-Lux’s design process and fabrication methods. That afternoon, we visited Faïencerie de
Cornouaille, the manufacturer of 100% French Breton bowls.
We were taken on a tour of their manufacturing factory to learn about their unique fabrication facilities. After, we had the opportunity to decorate our own, personal Breton bowls.
Thursday, December 12th
Pont-l’Abbé, Le Guilvinec
Le Minor
Le Guilvinec
Creperie in Le Port de Lesconil
On Thursday, we took a day trip to Pont-l’Abbé, where we started our morning at “Maison Le Minor,” Brittany’s oldest surviving textile factory, specializing in embroidery. We were able to see how much time and talent goes into the unique embroidered clothing and other goods central to Breton’s culture. We were then invited to lunch at a creperie in Le Port de Lesconil, were we got to try local cuisine
as a group. Afterwards, the bus took us to Le Guilvinec, the first port in France for traditional fishing. La Cité de la Pêche lets visitors discover the fascinating world of fisherman to show them the journey of the fish from sea to market. We ended the day walking to Scarlette Le Corre's shop for a seaweed cooking workshop and taste testing session.
Friday, December 13th
Concarneau, Pont-Aven
Pont-Aven
Reception at town hall
Concarneau
Friday morning started on the bus as we traveled to the fortified city of Concarneau. There we had time to explore the city and visit the market just outside the city walls to enjoy some local cuisine and handmade goods. Afterwards we travelled to Pont-Aven, where we walked the city of painters to enjoy all shops and art galleries open and decorated for Christmas. While in Pont-Aven we took an
audio tour of the Museum, where we discovered the work of artists inspired by Brittany and, more specifically, by Pont-Aven. In the evening, we were invited to a reception at the Quimper Townhall to meet some of the city council and town members. We had fun learning some simple steps to a native Breton dance to end the night!
Saturday, December 14th
Quimper, Bretagne, France
Reporter interview
Pascal's work
Pascal Jaouen
Parade in Quimper
Around mid-morning, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet Pascal Jaouen, a talented designer and embroiderer from France who rediscovered historical surface embroidery from Brittany as a vibrant modern art form. We had the opportunity to ask him questions and to view some stunning examples of his work. A reporter from the local news station
even came to cover our conversation with him! Afterwards we took some free time exploring the city of Quimper and in the evening, we off to enjoy the Christmas festivities of the town, including a parade and local showcases of traditional Breton dance and music.
Sunday, December 15th
Quimper, Bretagne, France
Procession into Mass
Procession into Mass
Creperie corner
Local Priests and Bishop
On Sunday we were invited to attend mass at the Saint-Corentin Cathedral in town for a special service including all of the surrounding churches. We enjoyed a procession before mass began and spent the remainder of the day exploring all that Quimper has to offer.
Monday, December 16th
Quimper, Bretagne, France
Rachel Le Gall's studio
Art Embroidery School
Students embroidering
Rachel Le Gall's Performance
On Monday morning, we walked to Rachel Le Gall's showroom, where we had the opportunity to hear directly from Rachel about her work and design process. Afterward, as a group, we visited Biscuiterie de Quimper, where we
sampled some delicious treats and learned about some
of the products they offer. In the afternoon, we visited the Pascal Jaouen Art Embroidery School, where we created our own embroidered brooch. Later that evening, we watched a captivating performance about Rachel Le Gall's personal story leading up to today.
Tuesday, December 17th
Locronan, Bretagne, France
Presentation at Cadiou
Locronan
Panel of judges
Group in Locronan
Tuesday was an exciting day for the group. We began with a tour of Cadiou, exploring their facilities and manufacturing process. Each group then presented our final projects to the panel of judges. Afterward, we had lunch all together at a crêperie in Locronan, where we spent the rest of the day. We met Hervé Le Bihan, who showed us his 18th-century loom,
and enjoyed a guided tour of the historic town, followed by shopping and exploration. The day concluded with a reception at the tourism office, where we all got to celebrate the completion of our projects, and the trip with drinks and appetizers.
Wednesday, December 18th
Quimper, Bretagne, France
Group dinner
Wednesday was our last free day before heading back to the United States early Thursday morning. We spent the day exploring the city at our own pace. In the evening, we
Walking through Quimper
Group dinner fun
gathered as a group for a final dinner to celebrate the conclusion of the trip.