A hidden statue of the Nazis found 84 years later, pedicures for pigs, an exchange of houses… We have selected the 5 most unusual stories that marked Brest in 2024.
1. A statue, hidden from the Nazis, is found 84 years later
In 1932, a bronze statuette was offered to the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM) of Conquet, during the inauguration of a motorboat. The work, representing a sailor's wife scanning the sea, was hidden from the Nazis during the summer of 1940. Since then, we did not know where it was, until the intervention of Jeanine Codecco.
On August 20, 2024, she sent a letter to the SNSM. « The statue was removed and hiddenshe writes, before the arrival of the Germans, by Olivier Morvan, boss of the Conquet lifeboat. » Olivier Morvan had given it to his grandson, Émile Lamanda, who became Jeanine Codecco's companion. Long preserved in the Drôme, it was finally returned to the station, in October 2024, 84 years later, while« Émile always wanted to give it backsays Jeanine Codecco, but he died before he could do so. »
2. Two neighbors exchange houses
A few months ago, Marie-Laure Tonnini put her house on sale in the Goarem-Goz district, in Plougastel-Daoulas, to look for a smaller home. 400 meters from here, Fabienne and Cyril Grintchenko are looking for a larger house for their two children. When they discovered Marie-Laure Tonnini's ad, the parents, who fell under the spell of the property, immediately submitted an offer.
Damien Mira, sales agent of the Nestenn agency, in Landerneau, then offered the couple's house to Marie-Laure Tonnini. It's a favorite for her too. They organize the move and rent a truck together. On the day of signing, October 23, 2024, the two owners just had to exchange their keys!
Marie-Laure Tonnini (left) and Fabienne Grintchenko were neighbors for 11 years and each bought the other's house. West France
3. When he comes home from work, he discovers a film crew in front of his house
Monday March 4, 2024, Jean returns from work. He discovered a complete film crew in action in front of his house in Relecq-Kerhuon (Finistère). The town hall nevertheless sent him a letter to warn him, but Jean returned from five days on duty. Can't go home while the cameras are rolling. He must go through the garden. “ It's not too serious, he saysbut after several days of work, you really don't expect that. » Jean finally discovers that the filming is being done for France 3 Brittany and a mini-series immersed in the heart of the country of Brest, entitled If I want.
4. €500,000 by scratching a Cash
A resident of Plougastel-Daoulas buys a Cash and two Euromillions grids, in a tobacconist on Place Napoléon-III, in Brest, on September 19, 2024. He is used to always scratching the sum last, to keep the suspense. Given the result, we understand it. “ When I saw the winning number 33 associated with the sum of €500,000, I was speechless he says. So many zeros appeared before my eyes. » The lucky winner announced that he wanted to benefit from the sum by becoming an owner, with « additional square meters and sea views ».
5. She wants to sell her tobacco bar to start doing pedicures for pigs
In Brest, Carole Germain has been trying to sell her tobacco bar for three years. She wants to fully launch into her secondary activity: pedicures for domestic pigs!
Carole Germain takes care of pigs' hooves throughout France and is trying to sell her bar in Brest (Finistère) to launch full-time in her new activity which meets a real demand throughout the country. Here in his bar, Brest Mêm, with his Couscous pig. GUILLAUME SALIGOT / WEST-FRANCE
For the moment, it is during her vacations or her days off that the tobacconist travels the roads of France to take care of animal claws. Before hitting the road again, Carole Germain and her pig called Couscous remain at 33, rue Saint-Marc, waiting to sell Brest itself.
