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Brittany: The Land of Legends with Dr. Alan Montgomery

Brittany: The Land of Legends with Dr. Alan Montgomery


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Brittany is one of France’s most enchanting regions. Join Alan Montgomery to explore the magical villages, breathtaking landscapes, and distinctive culture of this picturesque part of Europe.
This seminar will explore the history and the myths of magical Brittany, leading us on a tour across the landscape of this fascinating land of legends. Over the centuries, Brittany has become known for its rich folklore, tales of courageous kings and wicked fairies, haunted castles, and thieving goblins. We will discuss the famous standing stones of Carnac, the Breton dolmens and megaliths said to have been constructed by supernatural beings and of miraculous saints and sacred springs. Together we will visit the forest of Broceliande, an ancient woodland with Arthurian associations where we will see a haunted castle, the so-called Tomb of Merlin, the home of the wicked enchantress Vivien and a supposed Fountain of Youth.
Led by a historian, Alan Montgomery, who splits his time between London and Brittany, this interactive seminar will explore a selection of the area’s most intriguing sites and explain both their historical importance and the legends that they have inspired. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an insight into the culture and folklore of some of France’s most magical and mysterious places.

Alan Montgomery was born and raised in Scotland but has spent most of his adult life in London. Having achieved an MA in Art History at Glasgow University, he worked for many years in the art world at both an international auction house and an antique dealer. In recent years he has returned to academia, achieving an MA in Classical Civilisation in 2011, and has recently completed a Ph.D. in which he analyzed eighteenth-century attitudes towards the ancient Roman world. In addition to his work for Context Travel, Alan also writes catalog essays on Contemporary Art for a leading auctioneer. Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 2017, his first book, entitled 'Classical Caledonia', was published by Edinburgh University Press in August 2020.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
88%
(15)
6%
(1)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
F
F. (Chicago, US)

Guest did not leave comment

A
A.M.G. (Gaithersburg, US)
He made Brittany an exciting place to visit.

It was an excellent presentation about an exciting place to visit. He told exciting stories of various legends told of many beautiful places. He is greatly excited about Brittany where he now lives and transmitted this excitement to the viewer. He made learning fun.

S
S.C. (Narberth, US)
Great presentation

Alan is very knowledgeable, his slides are wonderful, and he has interesting information.

D
D.B. (Rock Springs, US)
Legendary Brittany

Inspiring discussion of legend related sites in Brittany

J
John (Washington, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 17 reviews
88%
(15)
6%
(1)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
F
F. (Chicago, US)

Guest did not leave comment

A
A.M.G. (Gaithersburg, US)
He made Brittany an exciting place to visit.

It was an excellent presentation about an exciting place to visit. He told exciting stories of various legends told of many beautiful places. He is greatly excited about Brittany where he now lives and transmitted this excitement to the viewer. He made learning fun.

S
S.C. (Narberth, US)
Great presentation

Alan is very knowledgeable, his slides are wonderful, and he has interesting information.

D
D.B. (Rock Springs, US)
Legendary Brittany

Inspiring discussion of legend related sites in Brittany

J
John (Washington, US)

Guest did not leave comment