Underground tunnels in Guingamp? Teenagers discovered them in a book written in Breton

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The Guingamp author Herve Sebille Kernaudour sign a novel in Breton languageintended for youth.

Inspired by the famous adventure novel series The Club of Fiveit recounts the adventures of young people immersed in a police investigation, Guingamp (Côtes-d'Armor). In the background: the enigmatic city ​​underground.

Under the pavements of Guingamphear Under the cobblestones of Guingamp. Herve Sebille Kernaudour's novel takes place in the town where he has lived for almost 40 years.

Underground: myth or reality?

It tells the story of four teenagers, Edern, Gurvan, Aodren and Koupaia, and their dog Gralon, drawn into a police adventure full of twists and turns… At the origin of this intrigue, the underground passages which wind through the basement of the Guingamp city center. A myth or a reality?

“The fascinating evocation of these underground passages of Guingamp, some time ago with a friend, made me want to write this book,” smiles the author, passionate about the history and heritage of Guingamp, but also from Brittany and Celtic countries.

I believe in these underground passages, as there must have been in all medieval towns I suppose. At the time, people used it to get supplies and communicate with each other in the event of a siege of the city.

There is no siege of the city in the Guingampais novel since the story takes place in the present day. “No, the teenagers will discover these underground passages at the same time as a series of mysterious thefts shakes up the city,” continues the author.

The Club of Five revisited

A novel featuring four teenagers and a dog is very reminiscent of The club of fivethis series of successful novels created by Enid Blyton in the 1940s and adapted in France a decade later. “I really loved the world of these books when I was little. It took place in Brittany, it was adventure, with secret passages…”

In his book, Herve Sebille Kernaudour also discusses the medieval history of Guingamp.

The history of Guingamp

“One day, while showing friends around the city, I realized that their children did not know its history, nor that of Brittany. They did not know that it had been a sovereign duchy before being annexed to France,” regrets Guingampais, member of the Cultural Council of Brittany.

In small touches, the author immerses us in the history of Guingamp, through this adventure intended for young people.

I also wanted to write a book in Breton aimed at adolescents, who represent the future of the language

“There is a lot of literature for children or adults, but little for this age group,” estimates Herve Sebille Kernaudour. Until then, the author had worked mainly in the fields of translation, lexicography and poetry, obtaining two regional prizes in the process.

Soon a French version

The book and cover Under the pavements of Guingamp were illustrated by Léna Herpe, originally from Saint-Jean-Kerdaniel. “I am very happy to have worked with a local person, who, in addition, has a lot of talent,” appreciates the author.

For the moment, the novel is only available in the Breton version. But why not a French translation in the future, or even a sequel. After all, the series Club of Five has 21 episodes…

Under the pavements of Guingamppublished by An Alarc'h – 158 pages – €10. Available at the Mots et images bookstore, in Guingamp; Gwalarn, in Lannion; The Fox, in Paimpol; Le Bel Today, in Tréguier. The author will be at a signing session at Mots images, Saturday November 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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