History
Human habitation in the area now called Brittany probably goes back to at least 8000 BC. Virtually nothing is known of these early peoples, beyond the stone megaliths erected around the 2nd millennium BC, and which survive in some areas. The region was later settled by a variety of Celtic tribes.
In 56 BC the area was conquered by the Romans under Julius Caesar. The Romans called the district Armorica (a Latinisation of a Celtic word meaning "coastal region"), or Gallia Lugdunensis. (The modern département of Côtes-d'Armor has taken up the ancient name)
Around 500 AD, as the Romans were withdrawing, the area became a haven for Celtic Britons fleeing the British Isles to escape the invading Anglo-Saxons. These Britons gave the region its current name and contributed to the Breton language, Brezhoneg, a sister language to Welsh and Cornish. (Brittany used to be known in English as Little Britain to distinguish it from Great Britain - the street in London called Little Britain was the location of the embassy of the Duchy of Brittany).
In the early Middle Ages, Brittany was divided into three kingdoms - Domnonia, Cornouaille, and Bro Waroch - which eventually were incorporated into the Duchy of Brittany.
The Breton War of Succession was fought 1341-1364.
The Kingdom of France defeated the Breton army in 1488 and the last Duke of independent Brittany was forced to submit to a treaty giving the King of France the right to determine the marriage of the Duke's daughter, the heir to the Duchy. The Duchess Anne was the last independent ruler of the duchy as she was ultimately obliged to marry Louis XII of France. The duchy passed on her death to her daughter Claude, but Claude's husband François I incorporated the duchy into the Kingdom of France in 1532.
Brittany was a hotbed of resistance to the French Revolution and its accompanying anti-clericalism.
The historical capital was Nantes, but the modern capital of the region of Brittany is Rennes.
The département; Loire-Atlantique (including the city of Nantes) was historically part of Brittany, but is now part of the Pays de la Loire region. A movement exists to transfer Loire-Atlantique back to the region of Brittany.
Sights
Brittany is famous for its megalithic monuments, which are scattered over the peninsula, the largest alignments are near Carnac. The purpose of these monuments is still unknown, and many local people are reluctant to entertain speculation on the subject. The words dolmen and menhir come from the Breton language.
Brittany is also known for the calvaires (calvaries), elaborately carved sculptures of crucifixion scenes, to be found in churchyards of villages and small towns, especially in Western Brittany.
Besides the two historic capitals, significant urban centres include:
The walled city of Saint-Malo, a popular tourist attraction, is also an important port linking Brittany with the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands. The town of Roscoff is served by ferry links with the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
The island of Ushant (French Ouessant, Breton Enez Eusa) is the north-westernmost point in France, and marks the entrance of the English Channel.
Besides Ushant, Brittany is encircled by other islands. The major ones are:
- Bréhat
- Batz
- Molène
- Sein
- Glénan islands
- Groix
- Belle-Ile
- Houat
- Hoëdic
- Ile-aux-Moines
- Ile-d'Arz
