There is probably an interesting conversation to be had regarding the nature of graffiti and public art and another on whether graffiti can still serve as a rebellious expression when it is found on sites approved by the municipal authorities. Does graffiti need to be illegal or subversive to properly wear its tag or is safe street art equally as credible or valid?
This weekend, the capital of my Breton Département of Côtes d’Armor, Saint Brieuc, is hosting the fourth edition of a now popular street art festival. This year, the walls of seventeen buildings across this north coast city are being painted by graffiti artists from across France. Unfortunately, the covid-related travel restrictions have limited the international nature of this year’s festival but previous editions have featured artists from neighbouring Belgium, Germany, Italy and the UK as well as from further afield, such as Peru and Kyrgyzstan.
The images that follow are predominantly works painted in Saint Brieuc as part of the earlier festivals of street art but the header and footer images are from Rostrenen, a sleepy small town near the southern boundary of the Côtes d’Armor.















As you would imagine, selecting the sites to be painted in a modern port city with a historic medieval core surrounded by streets full of imposing early-19th century buildings, is no easy task. This year, having secured agreements with the buildings’ owners and the local authority, officials from Bâtiments de France, the government body responsible for town planning and preserving the nation’s built heritage, threw a rather large spanner in the works when they refused to sanction 18 of the 27 sites submitted to them.
This year, it has therefore been necessary to recycle some sites used during earlier years; inevitably losing the works painted there. Many of the murals painted for previous festivals were always destined to remain no longer than the last of the summer visitors but several frescoes are still adorning the walls of the city today; fading gracefully before the relentless power of the elements.
After this weekend, there should be some 55 officially graffitied facades across the city, as well as a few unapproved ones; the officially sanctioned ones are not tucked away down obscure side streets but are found on the main thoroughfares. If you do decide to hunt them all down, your arty ambling across town can now be directed with the aid of a downloadable phone app!

If I am able to get some decent shots of this year’s murals, then a follow-up post may be in order!
Stunning 👌🏻
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Glad you liked them!! 🙂
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It’s really fantastic and inspiring
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Many thanks! I am happy that you enjoyed seeing these! 🙂
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Your welcome dear if you like my posts and blog then plz follow and like it
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Art is art. The rest of it is what society decides to label it. These are absolutely beautiful!
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Yes, very true! I am glad you liked these! 🙂
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I like street art most because I don’t have to take the time to visit a formal setting like a museum or palace to see it. I t’s just there for all to enjoy. How many great artists in history failed to see that connection?
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Ha, yes! That is a very important point and one too often overlooked! It is accessible to all, at any time and at any level of appreciation, and that is very important!! 🙂
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Are u Brittany
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No, it’s the name of the nation that is part of France. 😉
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Wow Oki good to know again ur amazeing
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🙂
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Amazing
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🙂 🙂
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If so your so good
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I am happy that you liked seeing them! 🙂
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Reblogged this on worldtraveller70.
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I am happy that you liked it enough to do so! Thank you. Stay well! 🙂 🙂
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They are so talented… wonderful
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They really are aren’t they? I am happy that you enjoyed their work! 🙂
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I love ur art we are insinc
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Many thanks! I am glad you liked them!! 🙂 🙂
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Very talented artist – wonderful !! – eco
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I agree! So talented! I am glad that you enjoyed their work too! 🙂 🙂
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Thanks for sharing incredible art
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I am very happy that you enjoyed them!! Thank you for taking a look! 🙂
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it so cool
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Thank you! I agree and I am happy that you think so too! 🙂 🙂
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Love your post ❤
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I am glad that you liked them! Some people are so talented! 🙂
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Though all of them are good, I especially liked the one of the woman with her face as a mask in her hand!
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That is a striking and thoughtful image, isn’t it?! 🙂
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Yes!
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🙂
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Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this info.
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I am happy that you liked it!! 🙂
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