Tales and legends from Brittany on the Pink Granite Coast

When night falls on the Pink Granite Coast, the wind whispers and the sea whispers stories that only dreamers can hear. Under the glow of the lighthouses, Brittany becomes a storyteller: each rock becomes the keeper of a secret, each path leads to an ancient myth. Here, the Korrigans dance under the moon, the Ankou keeps watch in the shadows, and the Intersignes slip between mist and reality. We meet King Marc’h at full gallop, or King Arthur defying a dragon in the heart of Trégor.
As the stars come out, the boundary between the world of men and the world of legends disappears. Let yourself be carried away… the Pink Granite Coast has more than enough to enchant you.

©Witches Dancing in the Breton Heath 3|Dall-E

©Lankou Et Sa Charette Sur La Cote De Granit Rose|Dall-E

©Lankou Et Sa Charette Sur La Cote De Granit Rose 3|Dall-E

The Ankou: The Emissary of Death

The Ankou is a sinister figure from Breton mythology, the embodiment of death itself. He is described as a gloomy man dressed in a dark cape, often wearing a black hat. His task is to collect the souls of the dead. According to legend, the Ankou travels in a creaking cart pulled by skeletal horses. His appearance is a harbinger of imminent death, and it is imperative not to cross his path or tragedy will strike. Anyone wishing to see the Ankou (in complete safety) is advised to visit the church in Ploumilliau (4km from Saint-Michel-en-Grève), which houses a wooden statue of him.

The chariot of death

One evening in June, a young man from Trézélan went to lead his horses to the meadows. As he whistled back in the clear night, he heard a creaking cart coming towards him. Curious to see the legendary “cart of Death” called “karriguel ann Ankou”, the young man hid to observe it. He saw a cart pulled by three white horses, accompanied by two men both dressed in black and wearing wide-brimmed felt caps. The axle of the cart broke, but one of the men asked the young man to cut a branch to repair the axle. After repairing the axle, the young man returned home unharmed, but fell ill the next day and died. This story illustrates the belief that those who approach the cart of Death can suffer fatal consequences…

Many stories like this one continue to fuel the legend of l’Ankou…
Discover a new one with this video!

The legend of Ankou

The Intersignes: Premonitions of Death

Before the coming of the Ankou, the Intersignes foretell the death of a loved one. But the person to whom the intersign appears is rarely the one threatened by death. If the intersign is seen in the morning, it means that the event announced is due to take place soon (eight days at the most). If the sign is seen in the evening, the event is more distant; it could be a year or more away. It is said that the inhabitants of the Pink Granite Coast remain on the alert for these omens, fearing the misfortune that awaits them.

Here is a short list of signs to watch out for…

Anyone who sees a weasel (eur garellik) must die within the year.
When a magpie lands on the roof: someone in the house must die.
When a cock crows near you: your last hour is near.
When dogs howl at night: death is trying to get closer to the house.
The bird of death (ar sparfel) flies around the house and knocks on the window when death comes.
If, during a wedding in church, the candle placed in front of one of the spouses goes out: one of the spouses will soon be widowed.

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©Korrigans Dancing On The Moor In High Dune Cliffs|Dall-E

The Evil Pranksters: The Korrigans

The Korrigans are legendary creatures well known in Brittany, where they occupy a special place in local mythology and culture. These little fairy-like creatures are often regarded as pranksters, mischievous and even evil. They love to play tricks and jokes, ranging from harmless pranks to more devious deeds. For example, they can lead travellers astray in the woods, leaving them to get lost in mazes of rocks, or hide in houses to disrupt the daily lives of the inhabitants…

The round of the korrigans

If you’re out on the moors in the evening, waiting for songs to come from beneath the earth and the korrigans begin to dance around you. Above all, don’t join in, on the contrary, stop it immediately! If you don’t, you’ll be leaving with the korrigans for a hundred years! The only way to stop the korrigans in their “fest-noz” is to ask them a riddle:
– When I’m lying down, they’re standing up! When I’m standing up, they’re lying down! What’s that?”
Then you’re in the clear, they can sit in the heather and think. If by misfortune, a korrigan finds the answer and says to you:
– “That’s easy, it’s the feet!”
Then pull another riddle out of your pocket:
– “4 walking, 4 hanging, a fork in front, a broom behind! What’s that?”
Then you’ll be safe until daybreak! Then the korrigans will go singing again.

King Marc’h: The Rider of Darkness

King Marc’h, or Marc de Cornouaille, is a sinister figure who haunts the Breton night. With his horse’s ears, he was the legendary king of Armorique! His palace was located at PortzMarch, near Douarnenez. King Marc’h was reputed to appear before tragic events, particularly storms at sea. The sound of his Morvac’h horse’s hooves echoes eerily on the cliffs, foretelling maritime disasters. Breton sailors have long dreaded its appearance, seeing it as a warning of impending dangers.

King Marc’h and Dahut

King Marc’h loved to hunt along the cliffs of Cornouaille. One day, riding his horse Morvac’h, he saw a white doe on a beach in the distance. His love of hunting made him shoot an arrow at the immaculate beast. But the doe was none other than Dahut, the princess of Ys, the sunken city. She sent the arrow whirling and it hit Morvac’h, killing him instantly! King Marc’h rode down the cliff to avenge the death of his beloved horse. But Dahut stopped him and said:
-You wanted to kill me, King Marc’h, I could kill you too, but I’m going to punish you more severely. Since you weep so much for Morvac’h, from now on you will wear the ears and mane of your horse… From now on, King Marc’h will remain hidden in his castle behind a black veil so that no one will see the terrible spell!”

Listen to the story of King Marc'h

©King Arthur Fighting The Dragon At The Foot Of The Great Rock 1|Dall-E

Arthur and the Dragon

The legend of Arthur and the Dragon is a heroic epic that has survived the centuries. According to the story, the brave King Arthur confronted a ferocious dragon that was terrorising the region. The epic battle between the ruler and the fearsome creature shook the earth. Although Arthur triumphed, some claim that the dragon continues to haunt the coastal caverns, awaiting the day of its revenge.

How did King Saint Efflam save King Arthur?

Saint Efflam was a king who vowed to become a monk. On his wedding night, he left his young wife Enora to come to Armorica, in what is now Brittany.
When Saint Efflam disembarked on the Lieue de Grève, he found King Arthur fighting a monstrous dragon with bright eyes, red snake scales and a fish tail. The beast dwelt in a cave at the foot of the Great Rock, from which emanated an appalling smell of sulphur. Arthur had been fighting the dragon for three days without being able to defeat it.
When King Arthur saw Saint Efflam, he said to him:
– “Would you, lord pilgrim, give me a drop of water?”
Efflam struck the ground with his staff and a spring gushed forth. After quenching his thirst, Arthur pounced on the dragon, thrust his sword into its mouth and, with a last cry, the dragon died as it fell into the sea.
Today, as you walk around Grand Rocher, you can still see traces of this famous battle.

Halloween on the Pink Granite Coast…

This Halloween, the Pink Granite Coast reveals its dark side, where the Ankou, the Intersigns, the Korrigans, King Marc’h and the dragon haunt the dark nights. If you decide to explore this bewitching coast on a spooky night, be prepared to face the unknown and the terror that lurks in the darkness. The Pink Granite Coast is much more than a breathtaking landscape, it’s a world of legends that leave no room for the most suspicious of souls. Happy Halloween!

©Lankou Et Sa Charette Sur La Cote De Granit Rose 2|Dall-E

Living the tales and legends of Brittany

Storytelling walks with Breton storyteller Yvon Dagorn

As night falls, Tréguier is transformed by the voice of Yvon Dagorn, a storyteller from Trégor for over thirty years. Between cobbled streets, he conjures up korrigans, spectres and forgotten heroes, all born of Breton memory and tales gleaned from the elders. With his lilting accent and a few Breton words slipped in here and there – always translated – Yvon takes us on a journey of laughter, thrills and emotion.
Every stroll becomes an encounter with history, language and that little extra something that makes Brittany tick. Following his lantern, we discover a nocturnal Tréguier, full of mystery and poetry, where every stone seems to have something to tell. It’s a unique experience, to be enjoyed with family or friends, to get a taste of the Brittany of storytelling and evening gatherings.

Discover the storytelling walks

Around Luzel: following in the footsteps of Breton legends in Plouaret

In Plouaret, on the Pink Granite Coast, follow in the footsteps of François-Marie Luzel, the famous collector of Breton tales and legends. This 4km walking trail plunges you into the heart of Trégor folklore, combining heritage and imagination. There are twelve interactive terminals along the way: simply scan a QR code to listen, in French, Breton, English or Spanish, to tales of the korrigans, fairies and ghosts who haunt the Breton moors.
Between chapels, fountains and sunken lanes, “Au tour de Luzel” offers a cultural and sensory immersion accessible to all. With family or friends, discover a free, fun and poetic itinerary that links the memories of the past with the magic of the Trégor landscapes. It’s an experience where every stop becomes an open door to the living legends of Brittany.