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01.05.2018

"May Day, is a significant labor holiday through Europe and much of the Northern Hemisphere. May Day is a public holiday usually celebrated on 1 May. It is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the festivities. In the late 19th century, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by the Socialists and Communists of the Second International to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago. International Workers' Day can also be referred to as "May Day", but it is a different celebration from the traditional May Day."

In France May 1 is known as both Lily of the Valley Day and Labor Day. I never met a Lily of the Valley before. I thought they were regular lilies but they're little sprays of tiny white flowers resembling allyssum or the sprays in bouquets. Up close the flowers resemble tiny bells.

To counter the serious Labor day activities the more frivolous at heart organized La Fête de la Paresse (the Laziness Festival) in the historic quarter. There were musicians, grilled food and street carts, dancing, flower sales and much more. A magician and a small circus was also part of the fun.

John and I had lunch at the King Creole restaurant which has Caribbean cuisine. The music they were playing was reggae. The food was good and the atmosphere was lively.

At Square de La Motte there is a monument to the French 41st Infantry Regiment which was stationed in Rennes and served in both world wars. We discovered some street art in a courtyard in the historic quarter.

While we were downtown we passed the Basilica of Our Lady of Good News which is a beautiful, elaborate old church. Nearby is the medieval Convent of the Jacobins which has been converted into a partially old and partially new structure which now houses the civic center.

Most of the timbered framed houses of Rennes were destroyed in the 1720 fire. The medieval houses that survived are in the historic quarter. Like other historic quarters in France and around Europe, the very narrow streets allow only pedestrian traffic which enhances the ages old feel of the place.

On our walk home we stopped by Parc Thabor to enjoy the many beautiful Spring flowers. It's a pleasure to have such beautiful parks nearby.

At Square de La Motte, a monument to the French 41st Infantry Regiment which was stationed in Rennes and served
in both world wars. 		The historic quarter of Rennes on Labor Day. Street art in a courtyard in the historic quarter.
We had lunch at the King Creole restaurant which had Caribbean cuisine. King Creole was on the ground floor like most French businesses with residences
on the floors above. 		Rue Saint-Malo in the historic quarter.
Basilica of Our Lady of Good News in Rennes. Basilica of Our Lady of Good News
from another view. 		The medieval Convent of the Jacobins has been converted to a civic center.
Only pedestrian traffic in the historic quarter. Most of the timbered framed houses of Rennes were destroyed in the 1720 fire. The medieval houses that survived are in the historic quarter. Some of the spring flowers at Parc du Thabor





05.05.2018

Parc des Gayeulles is a large forested area near the northeast corner of Rennes which has a large lake, plentiful wildlife and many hiking paths with benches on which to rest and appreciate the forest. The hiking trail circles a large lovely lake. The Parc des Gayeulles also contains an "Adrenalin Forest" that has ziplines going through the trees and over the lake. Adrenalin Forest has dozens of safe challenges for all ages. Some of the challenges were for as young as 5 years.

From our position on the ground we watched a father and son racing in a trampoline net high up in the trees. There are many layers of increasing challenges as one ascends the trees. The excellent staff of Adrenalin Forest provides ample training and safety guidance.

We had a nice walk around the lake at Parc des Gayeulles. Walking through the Adrenaline Forest was invigorating. Strolling around the lake with it's pretty water lilies and birds brought nature's calm home to us again.

Parc des Gayeulles is a large forested area
with abundant wildlife touching
the northeast corner of Rennes. 		Parc des Gayeulles has many hiking paths with benches to rest and appreciate the forest. The trail opens up to a large lake.
Adrenalin Forest has ziplines going
over the lake. 		Adrenalin Forest had dozens of
safe challenges for all ages. 		Some of the challenges were for years 5 and up.
Father and son in a trampoline net
up in the trees. 		There were many layers of challenges
as you went up the trees. 		The excellent staff of Adrenalin Forest
provided training and safety.
Water lilies added to the lake's ecosystem. We had a nice walk around the lake.





06.05.2018

On the first Sunday in May John and I finished the second half of our visit to the Museum of Brittany in Rennes. We saw many old machines including a hand cranked threshing machine used in Brittany in the 1800's, a printing press from the 1800's and French World War I infantry equipment. Other displays included traditional Brittany women's clothing, children's clothing and toys, traditional Brittany postal worker's clothing and other clothing from the 1800's. The museum also contains items representing varied aspects of life in Brittany including a "Come to Brittany" travel poster from the 1930's and a public water tap from the 1880's which is still used in parts of Brittany along with an assortment of other pieces filled several rooms.

France's greatest political and moral crisis, the Dreyfus Affair was a very important event in Brittany history. The trial of Alfred Dreyfus, 1899 took place in Rennes. There is a large exhibit in the museum with many displays about the Dreyfus Affair including newspapers covering the trial in detail. There also is a propaganda puppet of Captain Alfred Dreyfus.

After our visit to the museum we went to Fous de danse (Dance Fans) at l'esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle in Rennes. Over a 10 hour period several bands, dance groups and passers-by joined in. What a vibrant affair! The Fous de danse is one of the Sundays in Rennes activities sponsored by the Tombées de la Nuit festival.

The following two paragraphs are from a quote from the Rennes Tourist web site about the Rennais Fous de danse (Fans of Dance).

"The esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, in Rennes, resonates under the rhythmic steps of thousands of amateurs and artists, since this afternoon with Fous de danse. Hip-hop, Breton round, improvisation, it continues until 22h and it's impressive.

There are several thousand dancers who find themselves in the giant Soul train, a kind of improvised parade where everyone moves as he wants. The kids jump in all directions and they are far from the only ones. All ages, all styles are happily parading. Crazy breaks, funny creations, the crazy dance team leads the public to let go. In the evening, the organizers put the figure at 16,000 participants."

A listing of upcoming Sundays in Rennes can be found on the Les Tombees de la Nuit web page, Sundays in Rennes, from a tourist site which also lists many of the parks in this area.

You can see some fascinating images of the activities among these Google images.

Hand cranked threshing machine used in Brittany in the 1800's. Traditional Brittany women's clothing. "Come to Brittany" travel poster
from the 1930's.
Traditional Brittany postal worker's clothing. Printing press from the 1800's. Public water tap from the 1880's. Still used in parts of Brittany.
Brittany clothing from the 1800's. The museum had several examples of mosaics from the Odorico family. The Odorico mosaics are found in many places
in Rennes and throughout Brittany...
... in building interiors and exteriors. It's a little like a treasure hunt, searching for these mosaics in Rennes. Newspaper from the Dreyfus Affair.
Propaganda puppet of Captain Alfred Dreyfus French World War I infantry equipment Two Breton women in traditional clothes (1905)
Fous de danse (Dance Fans) took place at l'esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle in Rennes over a 10 hour period. Several bands, dance groups and passers-by joined in. Notice the typical French skinny pants. The French know how to celebrate life.





12.05.2018

For months we had intended to visit the Marché des Lices (Market of Lists) and, finally, we did. The Market first operated in 1473 and has two warehouses and dozens of stalls. The food we bought was excellent. We had a nice walk going through the market because it is so large (it is the second largest in France, second to Paris). There was a huge variety of everything: breads and pastries, cheese, olives, meats, fish, cooked foods and much more.

Marché des Lices also has a large flower and plant selection. Many springtime flowering plants found new homes today.

As we arrived, just outside the market, we saw a bagpipe player performing for a small crowd. A short while before the market closed a group of college aged students flash-mobbed the crowd - performing very energetic and well choreographed swing dancing at the Marché des Lices. There is a swing dance school near the market. On our way home we found more Odorico mosaics on a pharmacy wall near the Marché des Lices.

John had been hankering to go to the city gates since before his birthay in March. The city gates of medieval Rennes (Portes Mordelaises) are near the Marché des Lices so we went today. The entrance from the city gates open to the Cathedral Saint-Pierre de Rennes which provides an impressive initial view of the city in medieval times. The drawbridge mechanism is still in place.

Just outside the market we saw this bagpipe player seeking donations. Marché des Lices (Market of Lists) has a large flower and plant selection. Lots of springtime flowering plants found new homes that day.
We found more Odorico mosaics on this pharmacy near the Marché des Lices. The Marché des Lices is the second largest market in France. We found fruits and vegetables that we had
not seen in months. Hurrah for Spring time!
There was a great variety of olives... ... and fish. Lots of freshly baked loaves
of bread and pastries.
There was a huge line for this cheese vendor. Portes Mordelaises are the city gates of medieval Rennes that are near the Marché des Lices. The drawbridge mechanism is still in place.
The city gate was large enough for a single cart. Looking back at the Portes Mordelaises. This is the view after going through the gate.
The entrance from the city gates opened to the Cathedral Saint-Pierre de Rennes.





13.05.2018

Many of the ducks in our local pond (in Parc Oberthur) have weird haircuts. It's like the punk rockers came to town. One non-duck bird has teenage offspring with giant spindly feet that look like spiders. Because of the warmer weather a lot of people come to the park now. Little kids chase the ducks to try to hug them and the parents chase the little kids to scoop them up before any ducks are hugged.

Unidentified spindly foot bird One of the punk rocker ducks The ducks were very people friendly.





19.05.2018

Today we visited the public market again. In addition to all the goods for sale saw a guy singing in flowing robes and heavy make-up. His performance was in English too! So far there has been a performance each time we go to the market. For tips, of course. Most of it has been Very good!

Last week's bagpipe player was replaced
by a garish singer. 		This was the most popular cheese shop. Big sardines!!





20.05.2018

Baby ducks! We have baby ducks at Parc Oberthür! Just a block from our apartment! When they were all gathered under their mom. I saw 1 tiny head and 6 baby duck butts. Later 11 baby ducks came scurrying out with their mom to munch on seeds.

I saw the mom and babies hiding in a corner under a big rock so I left food near the mamma duck which she ignored. Then some male ducks came to eat the food and the mama duck went berserk biting the back of one male and she wouldn't let go. Some male ducks came to his aid and they were attacked but one jumped on the back of the mama duck and then she skedaddled. I felt so guilty but then the mamma duck and her 11 baby ducks came out to eat the seeds we had spread in other places so I didn't feel guilty. We took pics!

Another duck drama took place when a gang of mallards jumped a white duck and wouldn't let him get away. They kept dragging him down the hill into the water. It went on for quite a while and I was contemplating going to break it up but a woman behind us got up and headed toward the ducks. They stopped their aggression right away. We hurrahed her.

Fluffy baby ducks swimming at Parc Oberthür. Mother duck checking on her little swimmers. Mother duck and ducklings eating seeds and oatmeal that we scattered.





26.05.2018

Doc and Marion and their cute little dog Sparky from Nice are coming to visit us in July. John has been researching places to take Sparky in nature settings. Parc Gayeulles where our swimming pool and the Adrenaline Forest are located looks like a great spot.

Our friends Kathleen and David are moving to France from Oregon and they will spend a few months in Rennes we'll be tour guides for part of their visit here and then they will go to Nice for a while. They've been to Nice many times and are also friends with Doc and Marion. We met Kathleen and David through Democrats Abroad France - Nice. Nice find!





27.05.2018

The weather in Rennes turned fantastic about 3 weeks ago. Once the weather warmed here the locals started doing outdoor activities everywhere: music, dance, athletics and weird outdoor art exhibits and performances. This afternoon we went to a weird outdoor art exhibition/performance, "The Modern Parade", which is a parade of ten sculptures each referring to a famous painting of the twentieth century: Edvard Munch, Fernand Léger, Max Ernst, Rene Magritte, Kasimir Malevich and others. Basically we followed the art around downtown while musicians played Bolero. We arrived to the parade location as the musicians were warming up. We watched each costume being carefully laid out and then fitted on each parader. Then we walked down center city streets as Bolero played. (Maurice Ravel is French, you know).

In addition to the modern parade there was an all wheels events (bikes, roller blades, scooters - basically anything with wheels an without a motor. Police were engaged everywhere and bus routes were diverted to avoid the event traffic.

I love living in a college town. There are 66,000 students out of 221,000 city residents and 720,000 residents in the metropolitan area.

On Saturday, June 2, John and I will host the first meeting of the Rennes sub-chapter of Democrats Abroad France sponsored by Democrats Abroad- Brittany/Bretagne. While helping to get the word out and fishing for friends unrelated to the meeting, I came across five local expat sites which can be searched by country of origin, current home country, language and much more. I also searched Facebook for residents of Rennes who are from the U.S. and other English speakers in Rennes and that resulted in one new friend in Rennes and potentially another.

Band members before the parade. The parade costumes were brought out and ... ... laid out in a row for the paraders.
Putting the costumes on was a quick process. The musicians played Bolero as the parade went through downtown Rennes. Edvard Munch's "The Scream" was the most recognizable character.
Crowds of people followed the marchers. Only in France would you have
a Modern Art parade! 		The parade went under the arch
of the Palais du Commerce.