• Travel

    End of the world

    On a ball there is no such thing like an end or a beginning. Before the discovery of America the region we traveled to today was called „End of the world“ or „Finistère“ in French. The Atlantic Ocean shows its wild side here.

    On our way from Camaret-sur-Mer to Pointe du Raz we came through many old villages of Brittany. St. Nic is such a place, where you can find a pretty church building.

    Èglise St. Nic © Julian Köpke

    Coming form Douarnenez you first reach Point du Van in westerly direction. The church is consecrated to shipwreckers.

    Église Pointe du Van © Julian Köpke
    Église Pointe du Van © Julian Köpke

    Within sight of the western wall you can perceive a small lighthouse.

    Sailing boat and lighthouse © Julian Köpke

    After a short drive, first in a southerly direction and then in a westerly direction, you reach Pointe du Raz. At low tide the is a strong current in southern direction. The water is visibly swirled between the rocks. At this point, where the world ended 528 years ago, you can easily imagine a wild Ocean.

    Our journey to Brittany now has come to its end.

    See more images in my album.

    Pointe du Raz © Julian Köpke
  • General,  Travel

    Anchor at Camaret-sur-Mer

    Camaret-sur-Mer is a place with a long history, which tells the former economic and military importance. Cabaret has been also the most important lobster port in France. The place is located on a peninsula of strategic importance for the security of Brest. The peninsula was therefore coveted by Great Britain and Spain in their fight against France.

    The Vauban tower bears witness to France’s fight against the conquerors. I took the following image with my tripod in front an old warehouse of the former shipyard.

    La tour Vauban Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke

    The civil shipwrecks show the decline of fishing in the region. You can’t find warships here.

    Shipwrecks in Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke
    Èpaves à la port de Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke
    Épaves à Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke

    All ships are damaged, by time, by economic ruin. This is where they found their last port.

    Épaves à Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke

    Where is our final anchor point ? Will it be interesting to look at us ?

    Anchor and Moon à Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke

    See also my album „Camaret-sur-Mer„.

  • Travel

    Impressions of Brittany

    Every morning I photograph the rocks on the beach from our window. The atmospheric conditions change greatly whenever I look outside. The impression made by the rocks changes with the change of the atmosphere.

    Coastline at sunrise in Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke

    Only next morning the rocks look completely different. There is alway a painterly impression the light induces.

    Morning light © Julian Köpke

    Higher tide the next morning.

    L' aube à Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke

    See also my album „Camaret-sur-Mer„.

  • Travel

    Bonjour Bretagne

    Since a car ride from Nantes to Caen more than 40 years ago I associate Brittany with clouds and fog. This time everything is different. The coolness of the country surrounded by the Atlantic refreshes us wonderfully after the heat wave in Heidelberg and Paris.

    Traveling and painting was a great pleasure for me back then. How fantastic it is when every morning a painted landscape appears.

    Bonjour breton © Julian Köpke

    See also my album „Camaret-sur-Mer„.