KABAÑ, A HOUSE OF BRETON CULTURES

Look around Kabañ and you notice that every detail has been carefully thought out. A hand-painted Virgin, set in an alcove (a Quimper piece from the early 18th century), sits beside antique pottery and glassware from the region. The walls are hung with works by local contemporary artists and renowned Breton painters, with wildflowers picked along the Rance, and with murals of big fish painted by the owner of the place, Virginie Brégeon.

This place is the physical form of the idea that inspired it. Virginie Brégeon wanted to create a space that celebrates Breton culture, past and present. Kabañ is a studio-gallery set in a fisherman's house in the heart of Saint-Suliac, one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is a peaceful showcase of Breton identity, past and present.

With a background in culinary arts and sustainable design, Virginie imagined Kabañ as a place for experimentation and collaboration with local creatives. Her work often blends cooking, art and local identity, with the aim of promoting sustainable practices and highlighting Brittany's rich cultural heritage. As she points out, too little tourism is truly connected to local culture. For her, this place is a natural extension of her life and her commitment to the region, a way to value Breton culture, especially in this emblematic village that is on the map of must-see places in France.

Virginie grew up in a world steeped in creativity, within the walls of her parents' four-star hotel-restaurant. Her mother was a great art collector, and her daily life was fed by aesthetics and ecological awareness. After studying at Sciences Po Rennes, she began her career on a more administrative path. But, surrounded by creativity and frustrated by the routine of spreadsheets, she decided to chart her own course. She then began a doctorate that let her build a tailor-made career centered on her deepest passions.

"What interests me above all is promoting Breton culture, and especially its culinary heritage."

In that spirit, Kabañ hosts local cooking workshops and events around food culture. But it is also an informal gallery dedicated to Breton art. You can see works by artists such as Henri Rivière (1864-1951), Mathurin Méheut (1882-1958), pieces from the famous Pont-Aven School, as well as Virginie's own creations, inspired by local life and landscapes.

The shelves are filled with books on culture, gastronomy and sustainability. Among them are several books written or co-written by Virginie: a magnificent cookbook with the Michelin-starred chef Julien Hennote, illustrated by Méheut and Virginie herself; and just published, *La Belle Vie*, an ode to the art of living simply, to chosen degrowth, in service of the planet and our well-being.

The whole house reflects this philosophy, a warm and coherent invitation to discover local culture and imagine other ways of living.

Storie is delighted to take part in a two-day pop-up sale at Kabañ, on April 26 and 27, 2025, to celebrate handmade, sustainable textiles in this inspiring and singular place.