Gallois Popularity at a high in 17

[Fontremy]

Having had a house in 17 for over a year now I have discovered an astonishingly positive reaction to the news that I am Gallois not Anglais. At Easter I discovered Welsh flags in he local bar in the port at Mortagne. Then this weekend, two almost hysterical reactions in the circumstances.

The first at a restaurant near Talmont where my wife (she's Anglais bless her) and I got talking to a couple on the next table. At first they seemed pleased we could speak the lingo (well the wife can, anyway) but when I mentioned I was Welsh they insisted on buying me a drink and announced to all within earshot this amazing news. They told me that Evan the somebody had come to help the locals years ago, had been given an English second in command, who double crossed and killed him.

The second time was when I was being shown around a property which "may" be for sale in a few years time. They were a lovely couple but made some uncomplimentary noises about the number of Anglais in the area. When I mentioned that I was Welsh they thought that was "merveilleux". I ended up having a Pineau tasting and taking away a bottle of their finest!

I'm off to discover the truth about the Welsh connections in this area. I also think I'll re-name my house Maison Gallois! Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
FR

[letrangere]

Has anyone else experienced
>anything similar?

Yes, my born-in-Bangor husband has very often in France and it's quite funny really because at first glance you'd think it more likely he was from Bangalore! (Am American friend once explained to me about the "dark Welsh", she said they were like the "dark Irish" apparently, though neither of us had ever heard of either of them.)

If asked, he always says he's from Wales and the reaction - especially amongst younger people or those interested in rugby(!) - is always extremely positive. And, of course, people in France often remark upon our name. By the time you've spelt out the doobler-vay, ee-grek, en, en, er tiret, zhee, oh, en, er, ess they're understandably quite curious as to where you got it from.

I also think some young women may find it rather exotic for he has a French teacher (female, late 20s) whom I once overheard referring to him as "mon petit Gallois" in a way that I didn't feel absolutely comfortable with...

M

[Chas]

You must have missed the Welsh weekend in Mortagne last August. It was to celebrate the unveiling, by a member of the Welsh Assembly (Minister of Culture I think), of a memorial to Owain Lawgoch - Owain of the Red Hand. He was the last prince of the Royal House of Gwynedd and was assassinated by an English spy in 1378 whilst leading his band of mercenaries to help the French retake Mortagne from the English. There were a large number of Welsh visitors including singers and dancers who were put up by local residents - English as well as French. The weekend was reported in local and UK press and was considered an outstanding success. The only failure was that the lorry containing the Welsh beer did not arrive having been impounded by French customs.
The weekend is to be repeated on a smaller scale on 7 & 8 August this year.
There is some historical information at http://www.cambriamagazine.com/prince.htm

Chas (Anglais and Mortagnais)

[Gwenhwyfar]

We're Welsh and have been going to Brittany for many years, we've often found that we are given a greater welcome than when French people think we are English.

But I have never been called 'English' as opposed to 'British' so much as when I'm talking to British expats and French people.

When inputting our details into the French Estate Agents computer the option was 'Angleterre' not 'Grande Bretagne' and we had to ask for Pays De Galles to be typed in, the Agent said oh yes I suppose it is and especially as you are "proud Welsh" (the Agent was English btw). We also have some very close friends who are English expats in France and they keep calling us English despite knowing we are Welsh, force of habit I guess - I might be forced to get a T Shirt soon ;)

Jennifer