The Breton language
A Celtic language on the French coast, its history, its schools and its first words.
Read the guide
Independent guide / Language / Legends / Literature
Breton culture, one stone at a time
A plain guide to Breton literature, the Breton language and the Celtic heritage of Brittany. Move the cursor to turn your head along the stone rows, then scroll to walk between them.
Start here
What do we mean by Breton culture?
Brittany is the north western peninsula of France. Its culture rests on a Celtic language, Breton, spoken since the early Middle Ages, on a rich body of songs, tales and legends, and on a landscape full of stones, granite churches and coast. Breton culture in France today is lived in French and, for a minority, also in Breton.
The name of this site comes from two Breton words: Armor, the country by the sea, and Argoat, the country of the woods. Each guide here keeps to facts that are well established, says plainly where sources disagree, and shows how to go further, from the first Breton words to the archives where books and family records are kept.
The alignment
Five stones to read in a row
- Demathello
- Kenavogoodbye
- Trugarezthank you
- BreizhBrittany
- Morsea
- Maen hirlong stone
- Fest-noznight dance
- Degemer matwelcome
- Yec'hed matgood health
- Ankoudeath's cart driver
- Bagadpipe band
- Kersettlement
The guides
Seven guides to read in any order
Each guide stands alone and links to the others. Start with the one closest to your question.
Breton legends and folklore
The Ankou, the drowned city of Ys, korrigans and a forest of Arthurian tales.
Read the guideBreton literature
From medieval plays to the Barzaz Breiz and the writers of the last century.
Read the guideCeltic Brittany
Why Brittany counts as Celtic, and where the label needs care.
Read the guideThe Carnac stones
Neolithic stone rows, older than Stonehenge, and what is still unknown.
Read the guideResearching Breton books and archives
Archives, catalogues and search habits for Breton books and family history.
Read the guideHeritage sites to visit in Brittany
Parish closes, museums, legend country and the Celtic festival calendar.
Read the guideReading and finding
Before you search, learn the spellings
Breton books and records are filed under French and Breton names, and the same place can appear in several forms. The guide to Brittany genealogy and book research explains where parish and civil records are held and how to search catalogues.
For literature, start with the Breton literature guide, which explains the Barzaz Breiz debate and the main writers, and when you are ready to travel, see places to visit in Brittany.
Quick answers
Questions people ask
- Is Brittany Celtic?
- Culturally and linguistically, yes: Breton is a Celtic language and Brittany is usually counted among the Celtic nations. See Celtic Brittany for what the label does and does not mean.
- Is Breton a dead language?
- No, but it is endangered. A new generation learns it in immersion and bilingual schools, while most traditional speakers are older. The language guide has the details.
- How do you say hello in Breton?
- Demat, which also means good morning. Goodbye is kenavo and thank you is trugarez.
- Where is the best place to start with Breton legends?
- Begin with the legends guide, then read a collection of tales in translation. The research guide shows where to find them.