| Bécherel |
| The city of the book |
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Bécherel - Etalage de livres
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Bécherel - Village en hauteur
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its history, this small village never exceeded thousand inhabitants.
Formerly rich of its linen trade, it is to the second-hand booksellers
that Bécherel owes its fame. |
 Bécherel - rue typique
many other Breton cities, the history of Bécherel begins by the
construction of a castle on its heights around the 12th century.
However, considering Bécherel is one of the highest villages of “Ille
et Vilaine”, the enclosure was very coveted and ends up being burned. A
restoration was undertaken around the 15th century. But the castle fell
in ruin though. During the period of peace that followed, Bécherel
thrived thanks to the linen trade bringing among the city’s population
a new |
bourgeoisie. Under the revolution, the city will loose its golden
age through numerous economic crises. Afterwards, the village undergoes
the unhappy fate of the rural migration and owes its safety since 1989
to the books’ production. The amateurs and the professionals of the old
book gather nowadays during the book festivals which take place twice a
year. In this cultural environment, many other artists settled in
Bécherel such as cabinet-makers, calligraphers, sculptors and
bookbinders. Lastly, even if the “Bourg” houses are posterior of the
16th century, that the fortifications disappeared, the village didn’t
lose its charm and its character perched up on its hill. The visit of
Bécherel remains imperative for the books amateurs. |
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