originally from Brest, the historian specializing in particular in the reign of Louis XIV – king not always dear to the hearts of Bretons – Joël Cornette was also passionate about his native region for 20 years with in particular “The History of Brittany illustrated for Dummies” published in 2022 by the FIRST edition, 700 pages accessible to all! Or even “Anne de Bretagne” published by Gallimard in 2021. Settled in the Oise after studies and a career in Paris, the historian received the Grand Prix d’histoire from the French Academy for “History of Brittany and des bretons” commissioned in 2005 by Editions du Seuil.
My book “History of Brittany and the Bretons” made me find my Breton roots
The writer’s favorite place: Landévennec
Landévennec Abbey (29) on the Crozon peninsula and its library, a treasure that dates back to the 5th century with Saint Guénolé, which the historian Joël Cornette recommends to all Bretons. It was there that he wrote a good part of “History of Brittany and the Bretons”.
History is changing and many Breton historians have advanced the idea of an independent Breton state, a history of Brittany which is not taught at school and which is covered by the history of France.
Joël Cornette’s favourite: Mona Ouzouf
“French Composition, Back to a Breton Childhood” by the Breton philosopher Mona Ouzouf is the historian’s bedside book. The story of a daughter of Breton institutes and activists who grew up in contact with republican values. Syndrome of Breton and French schizophrenia? Joël Cornette is preparing a new book which will be released in February 2023, “A brief history of Breton identity” with an entirely historical and not sociological approach.
The musical choice of the historian Brestois: Miossec
Joël Cornette who lives in the Oise, does not fail to come to his house in Brest, even if the world of publishing keeps him in the Paris region. He chose to make you listen Christophe Miossec and his song “Brest”, for its gentle melancholy.