TRADITIONAL COSTUMES

FRANCE

There are many traditional costumes in France. Each region has its own style and traditions.Many traditional costumes are no longer worn day to day but only for festivals and ceremonies.

We have chosen a few examples from our region and the West of France.

MAP OF THE SOUTH-WEST OF FRANCE

LANDES

BORDEAUX

BAY OF ARCACHON

The Landes

Shepherds in the Landes region used to wear special clothes and used stilts to watch over their sheep when they were grazing in long grass. At this time the Landes region was a marshy sandy area. The jackets were made of sheep skin to keep them warm but had no sleeves.

Since this time the people of the Landes have kept their clothes and stilts for a traditional dance called Landes Folklore.

Basque CountryThe basque country has no official

boundaries. It is an area on French and Spanish territory.

SPAIN

A typical basque village famous for red peppers : Espelette

Ferias are local summer festivals in the South West of France and in Spain. Lots of people like to take part in these festivals which sometimes last for several days.

During the feria bulls are sometimes let loose in the streets and traditional music is played.

All of the people at the feria wear the same outfit.

FERIA

FERIA COSTUME

Red scarf

White shirt

White trousers

White shoes

Red "cinta"

A feria is a sort of party in the streets.

Basque SymbolsThe basque cross is a very popular symbol. It can be found on clothes, houses and graves. Its meaning is not certain. It may represent the rotation of the sun, earth and sky and probably

existed prior to christianisation.

The famous beret is a national symbol.

It is made of wool and is knitted. The beret is boiled so that the wool fibres become tight. This makes it waterproof.

Roman legions that came to the Pyrenees mountains are said to have worn a sort of beret called "birretum".

The beret is still worn today in France and modern versions are very fashionable.

BRITTANY

Bordeaux

SPAIN

Paris

Brittany

This is a traditional headdress from Brittany called "bigoudène". It is worn by women. The bigoudène is always white and made of embroidered cotton or organda.

Some old ladies still wear traditional costume in Brittany. In 1992 there were 643 women in Brittany who still wore their bigoudène every day.

THE END