Breton traditions and culture is rich particularly in the areas of cuisine, dance, music and costumes. Brittany was christened Breiz Izel (Little Britain) by the Welsh and Cornish migrants who fled here in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. They imposed their customs, language and religion on the local Gauls.
Brittany is a region in the northwest of France, with a strong Celtic influence and we love embracing the history and Breton traditions of the region we call 'home'. Breton culture and tradition is strongly preserved and actively enjoyed by young and old. Here's an overview of some of the best-known Breton traditions.
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Breton Traditions - Food
Breton cuisine is renowned for its use of local ingredients from both the sea and the land. Here are some iconic dishes and food and drink traditions.
Crêpes & Galettes
One of the most famous Breton foods. Crêpes are thin, sweet pancakes, typically served with sugar, chocolate, or fruit, while galettes are savoury buckwheat pancakes filled with ham, cheese, eggs, and other fillings. Try our easy Crêpe Suzette Recipe for a delicious dessert idea.
Kouign-Amann
A rich, buttery cake that’s often described as a "caramelised croissant." It’s made from dough, butter, sugar, and a lot of patience to let it rise and bake properly. You'll love our traditional Kouign Amann Recipe. This is a must-try pastry if you visit Brittany - it's iconic and the No. 1 loved Breton cake.
Far Breton
A dense, custard-like dessert made with prunes and similar to a flan, this dessert is a popular treat in Brittany. A super quick go-to dessert when the pantry is low, a Far Breton is a great last minute dessert. We often take this cake when visiting friends because it travels well in the car. Read all about the Far Breton and get our recipe here in post Far Breton - An easy delicious recipe from Brittany.
Seafood
Being a coastal region, Brittany is known for its fresh seafood, including oysters, mussels, and lobster, often prepared simply to highlight their freshness. Mussels are especially readily available in coastal areas known as Armor or Arvor ("by the sea" in Breton) and well worth the extra effort to eat them. Paired perfectly with white wine and crusty baguettes they are on most coastal café's menus. My favourite is mussels in white wine and garlic - delish!
Andouille de Guéméné
Brittany is world famous for its Andouille de Guéméné, a sausage made from the strong favoured intestines of pigs. Not for the faint-hearted, this sausage has festivals, songs and artwork dedicated to it. The town of Guemene-Sur-Scorff is considered to be the home of the Andouille sausage.
Kouign Amann, at Saint Malo
Moules or Mussels, at Saint Malo
Breton Traditions - Drinks
Brittany is known as the "cider country" but as well as cider, it's traditional drinks also include a few other distinctive beverages.
Cider (Cidre)
Brittany is famous for its apple orchards, and the region produces excellent cider, which comes in both dry and sweet varieties. It is often paired with crêpes or galettes. One of our all-time easy favourite family treats is to head into Guingamp to L' Ambassade Bretonne Crêperie and tuck into warm galettes and cidre served in traditional wide bowls called bolée.
Chouchen
Chouchen is a honey wine similar to mead, made from fermented honey, water, and yeast. It has a sweet and slightly tangy flavour and is a traditional drink that has been enjoyed in Brittany for centuries.
Beer
Brittany has seen a resurgence of craft brewing, and the region produces some unique beers, often influenced by both French and Celtic brewing traditions.
Kir Breton
The most recent drink (by centuries) included in traditional Breton beverages is the Kir Breton. An apéritif drink made from crème de cassis and cider, it's traditionally served at Tabacs, cafés and restaurants. Our popular post Kir Royale Recipe & Emily in Paris has Kir Breton and Kir Royale recipes.
Traditional dancing at Quintin Festival
Breton Traditions - Dancing
Breton dances are energetic, lively, and deeply rooted in the region's culture. These dances often take place during festivals or gatherings. Saint-Mayeux (a nearby town to our home) has dancing at their weekly Friday night markets which is enthusiastically supported. I however get lost in the dance steps so sit on the sidelines and enjoy watching.
Dañs Plinn
One of the most traditional Breton dances, it is a fast, circular dance often performed in pairs. It involves a lot of footwork, and the dancers move in sync with the music.
An Dro
A popular lively circle dance, where dancers hold hands or link arms and move in a counterclockwise direction. The movements are slow and graceful, often accompanied by bagpipes or traditional Breton music. The rhythm is steady and repetitive, which makes it easy for participants to join in.
Arvor festival, Vannes
Breton Traditions - Music & Singing
Breton music traditions are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Brittany. The music has been shaped by centuries of history, local customs, and the landscape, and it’s known for its distinctive sounds and rhythms.
Bombarde
A traditional Breton wind instrument, similar to the oboe it has a loud, powerful sound and is often used in folk music.
Biniou
A small bagpipe, similar in style to Scottish or Irish bagpipes, but with its own unique tonal characteristics. The biniou is often played alongside the bombarde in traditional Breton music.
Guitar and Accordion
More contemporary instruments, like the guitar and diatonic accordion, are also common in Breton music today, especially in folk bands.
Kan
Traditional Breton songs are often in the Breton language (a Celtic language). The themes of the songs range from love and nature to historical events and local legends.
Ballads and Chansons
Traditional ballads tell stories of local history, often heroic or tragic in nature. Some chansons (lyric driven French songs) are simple in melody but are rich in meaning and emotional depth.
Celtic festival - Vannes
Bigoudene headdress - Morlaix
Fêtes Maritimes Brest
Fêtes Maritimes Brest
Costume/Dress Traditions
Breton costumes are incredibly distinctive and varied, often representing the specific area of Brittany from which the wearer comes.
Breton Hats
The coiffe, or Breton headdress, is an essential part of traditional dress. Women often wear large, elaborate lace headpieces that vary in style depending on the region. Some coiffe styles have a regional identity, and they are important symbols of local culture.
Dirndl Skirts and Bodices
Women traditionally wear long skirts and bodices made from wool or linen, with colourful patterns. These outfits are often worn with an apron and include intricately embroidered details.
Men’s Clothing
Traditional men's attire often includes a woollen vest, trousers, and a broad-brimmed hat, sometimes paired with a waistcoat or jacket. In some regions, the costume is completed with a traditional Breton shirt, which may be white or striped.
Colours & Symbols
The colours and patterns used in Breton costumes are symbolic, with each region having distinct patterns, especially in the embroidery, representing different cultural heritage and local traditions.
Pont Aven - Traditional Festival of Gorse Flowers in Pont Aven
Festivals and Celebrations
Fest-Noz
A traditional Breton festival where people gather to dance the night away to folk music. It’s a joyful and vibrant celebration of Breton culture that usually includes traditional dances, costumes, and music played by local bands.
Pardons
A pardon is an annual religious festival honouring a local saint. The name derives from the granting of indulgences to pardon the sins of the past year. Some pardons, like those at Ste-Anne-la-Palud, still attract thousands of pilgrims who carry banners and holy relics through the streets. Most pardons take place between April and September (Spring and Summer).
Market dolls at Binic-Etables-sur-Mer brocante
Breton Traditions
As we've seen, Brittany has strong Celtic connections and Breton traditions are still alive and well in the region. I had to smile when I saw these little dolls for sale at a vide-grenier one weekend at Binic-Etables-sur-Mer. They are good representations of Breton costume, and while unique little dolls, I couldn't see them sitting in my house with their severe faces. One man's junk is another's treasure however, so I left this Breton couple for someone else to fall in love with, and take them home. I hope you've enjoyed Breton Traditions!
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