Party Breton (Strollad Breizh) Calls for Reunited Brittany

In 1789, the separation of the provinces of France resulted in Brittany being split in five; the lower of the five, in which Nantes is situated, being Loire-Atlantique. Loire-Atlantique was itself split from the other four departments by the Vichy regime in 1941; a new region had been created centred on Nantes called the Pays de la Loir. This separation was done without recourse to the wishes of the Breton people.

The city of Nantes and the Loire-Atlantique Department were formerly part of the historic nation of Brittany and Nantes along with Rennes was one of its traditional capitals. Historically, the country around Nantes was always seen as being part of Brittany. In 1207 the Dukes of Brittany lived in Nantes. Most of the dukes and duchesses were buried in the cathedral or the adjacent abbeys. Loire-Atlantique is culturally, historically and geographically united to Brittany.

There continues to be campaigns for the reunification of Brittany. Active in this campaign is the Parti Breton-Strollad Breizh. They denounce France’s repressive policies towards the Breton language, culture and the continued separation of the Loire-Atlantique from Brittany.