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Loire-Atlantique (Department, France): Cultural flags

Bagad Naoned (Nantes)
Quadrille Sèvre-et-Maine (Vertou)

See also:

Bagad Naoned (Nantes)

by Raphaël Vinet

The bagad of Nantes (Bagad Naoned) was created in 1968. It uses a flag based on the historical flag of the duchy of Brittany (black cross on white). The canton includes the main element of the coat of arms of Nantes, i.e. a sail boat with sails ermine sailing over green water (the river Loire) on a red background. The three other quarters are charged with five black ermine spots which recalls the ancient naval flags in Nantes and the five 'Breton' departments. This last item is revendicative, since the current Region of Brittany includes only four departments (Finistère, Côtes-d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan), whereas Loire-Atlantique, including Nantes, the historical capital city of Brittany, was placed into the Region Pays de Loire. The 'reunification' of Brittany is a popular revendication of the Breton cultural associations.

The flag of Bagad Naoned was designed by Raphaël Vinet.

Source: Bagad Naoned website

Ivan Sache, 10 November 2002

Quadrille Sèvre-et-Maine (Vertou)

by Raphaël Vinet

The Quadrille Sèvre-et-Maine is the Celtic Circle of the city of Vertou, located in the outskirts of Nantes. A Celtic Circle is a cultural association promoting the Breton culture. The Vertou Circle was founded in 1973 as the Cercle Celtique Saint-Martin, St. Martin being the patron saint of Vertou. The Circle was later renamed Quadrille Sèvre-et-Maine, the Sèvre nantaise and the Maine being the two rivers which water Vertou. The Quadrille has about 80 members and is affiliated to the Kendalc'h, an association of Celtic Circles. The Kendalc'h organizes every year a contest with different categories. The Quadrille is currently ranked in the fourth category.

The Quadrille is specialized in the traditional dances of the Pays de Nantes and Upper (Eastern) Brittany. The dancers wear the traditional costume and headdress of Vertou. The Quadrille also takes part to street parades, during which the dancers and musiciens march behind the flag of the Quadrille.

This flag is based on the historical flag of the Duchy of Brittany, the Kroaz-Du (black cross on white). The canton is yellow, with in the middle the impressive Vertou yew, said to have been planted by St. Martin. The yew is flanked by two green grapes, recalling the Vertou vineyard (Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine) and two diagonal green waves recalling the rivers Sèvre and Maine. The three other cantons are charged with five ermine spots, which recall the ancient naval flags of Nantes and the 'five' Breton departments (see above).

The flag was designed by Raphaël Vinet, who is also the regular standard bearer of the Quadrille.

Source: Quadrille website.

Ivan Sache, 9 November 2002

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