As you may know, behind Aeternum is a small business based in Brittany (in the south of Finistère to be precise). And it is well known that this region lives to the rhythm of legends, myths, and magical practices more or less known (Brocéliande, Merlin, the Fairy Viviane, the Alignments, and many others). So, to highlight our beautiful region, we will regularly publish little-known legends from Breton history.
This week, we travel to the Pays de Léon, the old name for northern Finistère, to meet a Groac'h (the equivalent of a malevolent witch).
Long ago lived Houarn and his fiancée Bellah, two lovers who could not marry for lack of money. Houarn then decided to try his luck, taking Saint Koledok’s bell and Saint Corentin’s knife, gifts from Bellah to protect him. She kept Saint Vouga’s magic staff to be able to come to his aid.
On the way, Houarn heard about the Groac'h of Loc’h Island, a witch possessing countless riches. Determined to seize her treasure, Houarn went to the island. There, he was welcomed into an enchanted palace where the Groac’h tried to seduce him. Under her spell and forgetting Bellah, Houarn agreed to become her husband. But a fish, once engaged to the witch, warned him that he would suffer the same fate if he stayed: being turned into a frog.
The magic bell alerted Bellah, who flew to her rescue. Disguised as a man, she managed to trick the Groac’h and seize the witch’s magic net. She transformed the Groac'h into a toad and freed Houarn and the other victims. Together, Houarn and Bellah returned home, carrying the witch’s enchanted treasures.
For your information, Loc'h Island is located in the Glénan archipelago. If you come across a toad there, be careful before kissing it...
