Free Time, what for?
Saint-Pol-de-Léon et Roscoff Saint-Pol-de-Léon et RoscoffLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
The summer evenings, holiday afternoons, the Pardon celebrations or the end of the harvest, Sundays, and certain public holidays were the time to play games and competitions that highlighted physical strength, skill, and intelligence.
Traditional Games
Beuzec-Concq. - Joueurs de Boules (partie discutée) Beuzec-Concq. - Joueurs de Boules (partie discutée)Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Throughout Brittany, a simple walkway, a portion of road, or developed land brought together lovers of various games of skill such as Breton boules.
Institution St-Lazare, près Montfort-sur-Meu Institution St-Lazare, près Montfort-sur-MeuLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Bowling also had its followers.
LA CLARTE - Bretonnes jouant aux Noix LA CLARTE - Bretonnes jouant aux Noix (1906-09-05)Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Young girls and children were fond of a game involving nuts or "poullig" after the name of the hole into which the nuts are thrown.
Les Fêtes d'Arzanno pour l'Inauguration d'un Monument à Brizeux Les Fêtes d'Arzanno pour l'Inauguration d'un Monument à Brizeux (1908-11-30)Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Breton or Gouren wrestling matches took place at parties or the Pardon celebrations.
Religious "Mysteries"
Avant la Représentation Les Acteurs de Pluvigner et de Bignan Avant la Représentation Les Acteurs de Pluvigner et de BignanLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
At the theater, people discovered enlightening plays, drawn from novels of chivalry or themed around the "Mysteries" (stories of the Old and New Testaments). The performers were mostly made up of peasants and craftsmen. Two actors passed through the rows at the end of the play and everyone gave them what they wanted depending on the performance!
Games for Children
Une bonne partie de billes - Rue Beauchêne Une bonne partie de billes - Rue Beauchêne (1906-09-26) by Chéronnet V.Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Children's favorite pastimes included marbles, leapfrog...
Jeux d'enfants - Le Tad-Coz est pris. Jeux d'enfants - Le Tad-Coz est pris.Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
blind man's bluff, hopscotch, slingshot, stilts, and spinning tops.
Sport at School
Concours de gymnastique, août 1910 Concours de gymnastique, août 1910Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Educational reformer Jules Ferry made gymnastics compulsory in all schools in 1880 in order to prepare young people for revenge after the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
Concours de gymnastique, août 1910 Concours de gymnastique, août 1910Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Despite the acrobatic poses held for the photographer, this was a form of preparation for military exercises.
Club Practice
Souvenir du Festival de Gymnastique de la F G S P F Souvenir du Festival de Gymnastique de la F G S P F (1922-08-25) by DECKER F.Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Athletics was a discipline that was mostly practiced in the towns and cities with rock throwing, high jump, and pole vaulting.
Soccer (Football)
Maison de Campagne de l'Oeuvre Sainte-Marie Maison de Campagne de l'Oeuvre Sainte-MarieLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Soccer (Football) often took the form of group physical exercise in schools and on poorly defined terrain. Within the space of 10 years, it became one of the most popular sports.
Equipe Ire de Foot-Ball Association 1910-1911 Equipe Ire de Foot-Ball Association 1910-1911Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Here, the Stade Port-Louisien football club immortalizes its players in its first year.
VIVE ET PETILLANTE' PERRIER , En harmonie avec cette joyeuse vitalité qui caractérise la jeunesse sportive, la Source Perrier, eau minérale gazeuse naturell, pure, légère, digestive, est vraiment la boisson idéale. VIVE ET PETILLANTE' PERRIER , En harmonie avec cette joyeuse vitalité qui caractérise la jeunesse sportive, la Source Perrier, eau minérale gazeuse naturell, pure, légère, digestive, est vraiment la boisson idéale. by AucunLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Racket in Hand
Les 1/2 finalistes de 1928 Les 1/2 finalistes de 1928 by LAUZANNE J.Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Playing tennis developed at the turn of the 20th century at resorts and was mostly played by members of the well-to-do social classes.
On Your Bike
Le Départ des bicyclistes Noyalais Le Départ des bicyclistes Noyalais by LE CLINCHE F.Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Brittany became known as the "Land of Cycling." The machine weighed 44 lbs (20 kg), not including the derailleur gear.
Salver, Coureur Breton Salver, Coureur BretonLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
The riders repaired flat tires and mechanical problems themselves. They took their bag with them for stretches that were sometimes 280 miles (450 km) long.
On Horseback
Les Courses de Chevaux sur la Grève de Cesson Les Courses de Chevaux sur la Grève de CessonLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Horseracing was very fashionable; even some small towns (Corlay, Langonnet, Loudéac) had a racecourse where people rushed to attend the races.
The Open Sea
Régates - Arrivée Régates - Arrivée by MancelLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
The call of the sea goes back many years in Brittany.
Les Régates à la Périère Les Régates à la Périère by AucunLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
The regattas were a very popular event and it was not uncommon to see crowds of several hundred people gathering to attend.
Concours de Pêche de Kerlois - 13 Juin 1913 Concours de Pêche de Kerlois - 13 Juin 1913Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
People rushed to watch and take part in fishing competitions.
Swimmers and Bathers
Les petites fêtes des Abris-du-Marin - Concours de Nageurs (Ile Tudy, 1er Août 1920) Les petites fêtes des Abris-du-Marin - Concours de Nageurs (Ile Tudy, 1er Août 1920)Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Many spectators gathered here in the shade of Île-Tudy Marina for the swimming contest.
M. Delugeard Maître baigneur de la Grande Plage M. Delugeard Maître baigneur de la Grande PlageLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
In order to be prepared, participants had to undergo training provided by strong men!
Curious Attractions
Etables (C.-du N.).- Course aux 'socialistes' Etables (C.-du N.).- Course aux 'socialistes'Le Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Festive events included some unusual races with (unmounted) animals as competitors, including pigs and ducks.
And the Fans
Les premières bolées Les premières boléesLe Carton Voyageur - Musée de la carte postale
Not everyone was the sporty type…and watching this abundance of energy made for some thirsty fans who, no doubt, would have been cheering on the athletes.
Thanks to:
The town of Baud
Le Carton Voyageur - Postcard Museum
