Brittany the Conqueror
Spared by the Customs and the French fiscal structure until its unification with the kingdom, Brittany participated right from the XVth century in the first phase of commercial expansion in Europe. Half-way between the North Sea and the Iberian Peninsual, it enjoys a privileged location which places its men in a dominating position over the maritime transport market. Supported by its own production, cereal surplus, salt and hempen cloth, Brittany developed a port infrastructure which allowed it, at its peak in the 18th century, to penetrate the Spanish-American market.
If the region suffered greatly from the Hundred Year War, it also benefited from it. Indeed, from this conflict was born a first link of exchange with England which became a permanent connection.

The Bretons, at the dawn of the 16th century, had precious assets at their disposition : audacious sailors. They had learnt to sail and fish cod and hake while the merchant bourgeois and ship owners accumulated enormous capital, often resulting from piracy...
Well established on the wine route between England and Bordeau, the merchant flottilla is also in the majority in the harbour of Arnemuiden, the gate to Flanders. But the conquest of new markets also assumed the existence of a running freight. The Bretons fitted out solid ships loaded with cloth, salt and wheat, going as far as Spain, with the firm intention of breaking into the Latin-American market.

What to see:
International Museum of Privateers and Cape-Horners, Solidor tower at Saint-Servan.
The East-India Company Museum at Port Louis