Traditional Costumes of Brittany - Bragou Bras

breton vintage postcard

This charming little Breton is wearing the 'bragou bras'. These linen puffy trousers end just above the knee and were the everyday work breeches of men and boys in the early 1900's of Brittany. This bonny boy is about to smoke his first pipe too! bretton francais

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Traditional dancing in France à la Vintage Postcards

These vintage postcards feature The Bourrée which is is one of the oldest dances in Central France This merry dancing style of Auvergne is in triple time and is animated and full of drive. These vintage postcard stars are certainly kicking up their heels.

This traditional dance was popular with everyone! Kings as well as farmers danced to this type of lively music. The polka is actually said to be a descendant of this dance.

Both Bach and Handel wrote bourrées as orchestral suites. The more contemporary Chopin wrote a number of pianos bourrées too! But, to me a true bourée dance needs a hurdy - gurdy accordion, sabots (wooden shoes), and gallons of wine!

Are your feet tapping to the music yet?

Vintage Moulin Rouge Postcards - Oh la la! I adore gay Paris!

Welcome to the world of saucy cabaret divas! These vintage postcards sizzle with history and life. These feathered ladies dance through my imagination to Jacques Offenbach's 'Orphee in the Underworld ' which is the score most associated with the cancan. It is also nicknamed the 'Infernal Gallop!'



I embedded the music on the sidebar of this post. Click away for uplifting reading music! It is a hilarious and satirical operetta which was written in 1858. Jacques was a German Jew born in Cologne . His name was changed from Jacob to Jacques after immigrating as a child with his family to Paris. His father forced the violin upon him. The young lad rebelled and played the cello in secret. That's not much of a revolt in my opinion!


His 100 operettas were wildly popular before the war between France and Germany broke out in 1870. He was accused of being an agent of Bismark and was forced to flee from his beloved country. The Germans had also labeled him a traitor so he certainly couldn't return to his place of birth either.
Offenbach has been called the Mozart of the Champs -Elysées. He influenced greats including Gilbert and Sullivan. Symphonic pieces need not always be romantic or serious . These grand opera parodies with biting political and cultural satire are right up my alley!