You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed The inscription predates the French Revolution and memorializes a man who died in western France 230-year-old rock inscription in a French harbor stumped translators for decades nearly a year after the launch of a contest to decipher the writing experts have finally decoded its secret message In May 2019, officials in the town of Plougastel-Daoulas in Finistère, France, challenged members of the public to interpret the 20-line carved message, Live Science previously reported Etched into a stone in a cove that's accessible only at low tide the writing included two dates — 1786 and 1787 — as well as letters and symbols such as a heart-topped cross and a ship Contestants from around the world submitted 61 possible translations for the message, The Jerusalem Post reported Local officials then selected two entries that provided slightly different interpretations but drew a similar conclusion: that the inscription was a memorial to a man possibly named "Serge," who died near the beach a few years before the French Revolution Related: 24 amazing archaeological discoveries a number of letters were upside down or reversed hinting that the writer was only semiliterate one complete Breton phrase stood out: "Through these words you will see the truth," Breton language specialist François-Pol Castel told RFI.  "That's the translation of the sentence at the very top of the inscription," Castel said Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox One of the winning translations was written by Noël René Toudic a Celtic studies researcher and English professor his boat was tipped over by the wind," according to The Jerusalem Post.  "He was the incarnation of courage and joie de vivre [zest for life] he was struck and he is dead," according to The Jerusalem Post the two teams split a prize of 2,000 euros ($2,177) Originally published on Live Science Mindy WeisbergerSocial Links NavigationLive Science ContributorMindy Weisberger is an editor at Scholastic and a former Live Science channel editor and senior writer Mindy studied film at Columbia University; prior to Live Science she produced wrote and directed media for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City biodiversity and evolution appear in museums and science centers worldwide earning awards such as the CINE Golden Eagle and the Communicator Award of Excellence Her writing has also appeared in Scientific American The Washington Post and How It Works Magazine  Her book "Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind Control" will be published in spring 2025 by Johns Hopkins University Press Scientific consensus shows race is a human invention May's full 'Flower Moon' will be a micromoon If stones could speak, what would they say? According to one rock in a small village in France “ROC AR B…DRE AR GRIO SE EVELOH AR VIRIONES BAOAVEL.” If those garbled letters mean anything to you you might find yourself pocketing a few thousand dollars in cold Approximately the size of an average person (whatever that means) the rock is covered on one side with an inscription almost entirely in capital letters All the letters come from the French alphabet but their combinations have proved unreadable “There are people who tell us that it’s Basque and others who say it’s old Breton,” Dominique Cap These years correspond with the years that the town constructed artillery batteries to protect the nearby city of Brest who is leading the search for a translator The rock also bears a drawing of a sailboat Locals frequently compare the rock to one of the world’s most famous mineral mysteries, the Rosetta Stone. The stone, which contains the same decree written in hieroglyphs, Demotic, and Ancient Greek, was discovered in Egypt in 1799. It took 23 years before the French scholar Jean-François Champollion cracked the code of the hieroglyphs Unfortunately for the future of Plougastel-Daoulas’s particular mysterious rock Champollion could not be reached for comment or translation Hopefully this French rock’s more recent provenance will assist any would-be code-crackers in their quest at which point a jury from the town will decide which translation is most probable and award the prize “R I OBBIIE: BRISBVILAR … FROIK … AL.” We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London he was a news and business reporter at International Business Times UK Dan has also written for The Guardian and The Observer.  either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content A village in France is offering a $2,250 reward to anyone who can decipher a mysterious inscription found on a rock close to one of its beaches Located close to Plougastel-Daoulas in the Finistere region of Brittany in northwest France which was first spotted around three years ago carries a message experts believe to be centuries old the rock is accessible via a path from the hamlet of Illien ar Gwenn just to the north of Corbeau point and is visible only at low tide when the waters of the Atlantic Ocean recede Authorities in Plougastel-Daoulas have now decided to shed light on the mystery and hope to finally be able to decipher the message "This inscription is a mystery and it is for this that we are launching the appeal," Veronique Martin who is tasked with finding someone who could solve the mystery was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse Martin and her team have contacted linguists they have even appealed to members of the public who treat code-breaking as nothing more than a hobby One side of the stone is completely covered in inscriptions which include pictures of a sailing boat and the dates 1786 and 1787 "These dates correspond more or less to the years that various artillery batteries protected Brest and notably Corbeau Fort which is right next to it," Martin added part of the inscription reads as: "ROC AR B [...] DRE AR GRIO SE EVELOH AR VIRIONES BAOAVEL [...] R I OBBIIE: BRISBVILAR [...] FROIK [...] AL ." the municipal councillor in charge of local heritage explained while the letters and characters belonged to the Latin alphabet currently used in France interpreting them was proving to be a hard task Some have suggested the inscription might be written in Basque or in an archaic version of Breton a Celtic language still spoken in Brittany "There are people who tell us that it's Basque and others who say it's old Breton," said Plougastel-Daoulas mayor Dominique Cap "But we still have not managed to decipher the text." a jury will meet to determine the most plausible and award the prize Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism French scouts from Brittany made their way to Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday A group of French scouts from Brittany made the pilgrimage to Ireland's Holy Mountain Croagh Patrick They made their way over to Ireland in a more traditional way: By ferry "Usually we do a camp in France somewhere in July or August But this year we decided to come to Ireland We took the ferry over and stayed in Glenstal Abbey" said Armel Sebe speaking to The Mayo News on the top of Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday.  Before we came here we participated in the Maritime festival in Brest." For Armel a special occasion as he is from Plougastel-Daoulas Only fitting the group went up the Reek this Sunday: "Going up Croagh Patrick was quite impressive at the start then it is fairly flat and easier to move forward But then on the last bit it was very steep which takes a while to go up we kept going slowly and when we arrived at the top we had a beautiful view" "I think the people here like French people We saw some people do the pilgrimage on bare feet and with the walking stick that is how it is done traditionally."  " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Healy Park in Omagh is likely to be the venue for Mayo when they play Tyrone in the All-Ireland Championship Graduates of ATU and its legacy campuses can benefit from the Alumni Scholarship offering a 20% reduction on Masters course fees Minster Alan Dillon at the opening of the new offices The role offers an attractive package for the right candidate Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie The French town where the stone rests is holding a contest to decipher the indecipherable text.The town of Plougastel-Daoulas in Brittany has discovered a rock that bears a curious inscription Carved into the stone are about 20 lines of an indecipherable language which includes characters from the Scandinavian written language (like the Ø letter) as well as some non-alphabetical characters like an engraving of a sailboat and even the Sacred Heart The presence of North Germanic lettering alongside the Latin alphabet suggests the writer could have been bilingual Other clues: the presence of a pictograph of a sailboat could mean he was a sailor or a shipwright and the presence of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus might indicate that he was Catholic the message itself may be spiritual in nature BBC has an example of a few lines of the text: “ROC AR B… DRE AR GRIO SE EVELOH AR VIRIONES BAOAVEL… R I OBBIIE: BRISBVILAR… FROIK…AL.” There are few clues in the inscription as to its origins or who carved it Town officials say that the area was home to several military installations in those years This might suggest that the inscription was made by a soldier or perhaps even one of the builders of the facilities From the dates it is expected that the engraving is probably about 250 years old Town officials in Plougastel-Daoulas have had the inscription studied by experts who cannot seem to decipher the text so now they’re opening the matter up to the public They are offering a $2,250 USD prize to the party who can translate the stone at which time a panel of judges will decide which translation is most likely accurate Smithsonian.com reports that Mayor Dominique Cap “We’ve asked historians and archaeologists from around here but no-one has been able to work out the story behind the rock So we thought maybe out there in the world there are people who’ve got the kind of expert knowledge that we need Smithsonian warns that it may be impossible to translate the inscription They note that there are still many important writing systems that have perplexed experts for years and hieroglyphics from the island of Crete Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you Please make a tax-deductible donation today Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news whether you’re sampling seasonal menus or experiencing a feast This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).1 UKThe image of orchards laden with fruit in late summer is central to our idea of the British countryside and our association with apples and pears goes back millennia sour wild apples and the endemic wild pear Apple production continued after the fall of the Roman Empire with the Normans bringing new varieties to these shores and Henry VIII establishing his own orchards in Kent but it was the Victorians who really ramped things up The UK’s National Fruit Collection today contains 2,131 varieties of apple and 523 of pear yet 80% of the UK’s small orchards have been lost since 1900 and we import over 400,000 tonnes of apples a year — about 60% of what we consume Isaac Newton found inspiration after being hit by a lovely the Flower of Kent — but you won’t find it in our supermarkets followed by Pink Lady — an apple traditionally imported that’s now being grown in Kent with the first homegrown crop going on sale earlier this year you’ll find more options in a good greengrocer or veg box they’re still mostly snacked on in their unadulterated state although apples remain popular in desserts like pies apple cake (especially in the South West) and apple charlotte (a bread and fruit pudding) Both fruits are also drunk — the UK is the world’s largest cider market (it’s what half our apples are grown for) Both are in season from August to November take note: a ripe apple should come from the tree with a gentle twist it’s not ripe; pears should be picked just before they’re ripe and given a week to sweeten up is open for orchard days and pick-your-own in September and October which sells everything from garlic pickle to seed garlic Hampshire.Photograph by AFP via Getty Images3 UKAlthough watercress has been cultivated across the UK for centuries these days it’s mainly grown in Hampshire and Dorset gravel-lined watercress beds are fed by rivers and streams running with sparklingly clear which has been filtered through the region’s chalky bedrock It grows throughout spring and summer and can be harvested just a few weeks after sowing — and it’s also produced in back garden and on windowsills across the land To get a taste for yourself, visit Alresford Watercress Festival which takes place every May in the pretty market town near Winchester The day starts with the Watercress King and Queen’s parade watercress awards and even a watercress-eating championship Look out for the plant on menus across the country and if you want to get the most out of it in the kitchen try chilled watercress soup or watercress pesto Vibrant stalks of fresh rhubarb.Photograph by AFP via Getty Images4 the very best forced early rhubarb comes from a tiny patch of land which has nitrogen-rich soil and just enough of a chill in the air to mimic the conditions of rhubarb’s native Siberia rhubarb plants are brought into lightless forcing sheds narrow and straight before being harvested by candlelight If you see a bundle of hot-pink stalks in a greengrocers just after Christmas, grab them fast, as the season is fairly short and demand is always high. Alternatively, for a guaranteed taste of the good stuff, visit Wakefield’s Rhubarb Festival which takes place every February within the Yorkshire Triangle There you can try classics such as rhubarb fools and crumbles such as rhubarb gin or even rhubarb cocktails classic cars and country dancing — plus you’ll meet Gus the Asparagus Man (green-faced and in asparagus costume) you can book into a personalised food tour of Fife and meet local strawberry and raspberry producers – and more importantly How did La Bonnotte become the world’s most expensive variety of potato The story represents quite a reversal of fortunes which grow from the seed potato then separate in the soil On the Ile de Noirmoutier – an island off France’s west coast where they’re grown — their production was abandoned in the 1960s to mark the 25th anniversary of the island’s agriculture co-operative and a 3kg basket was sent to the Drouot auction house in Paris where it sold for 15,000 francs (£1,500 at the time) Their value lies in their scarcity: only 100 tons are produced each year as they’re only available for around five weeks their arrival is heralded by a big festival in early May Visitors and locals can join in the harvest at dedicated farms follow the bike trail around the island – characterised by its salt marshes and white-washed villages – and then sit down to join a big feast in which two tons are cooked and served to 2000 visitors with sardines and local Vendée wine A man flipping roasting chestnuts in a pan.Photograph by Carolyn Boyd9 FranceIf you want to enjoy Autumn in France that’s rather more rustic than Saint Tropez Set in the forests of the Massif des Maures roasting huge spades of chestnuts over roaring braziers; tossing them in the air as they cook while other stalls sell everything from crème de marron and chestnut liqueur to chestnut flour and the cakes made with it Each of the restaurants sets its tables out on the street under the golden leaves of the plane trees quaffed down with local wine or a kir chataîgne – chestnut liqueur topped up with champagne You can also visit the marron glacé (caramelised chestnuts) factory in the centre of town before eating its signature chestnut ice cream – studded with pieces of fudgy marron glacés has sea merchant Amédée-François Frézier to thank for its strawberries. Photograph by AFP Getty Images10 has sea merchant Amédée-François Frézier to thank for its strawberries Frézier brought them back from Chile in 1714 — from there on Brittany’s microclimate worked its magic and enabled the crop to thrive the best known being the ultra-sweet gariguette Visitors can get up to speed at the museum in the centre of town while the region’s chefs incorporate them into their menus in myriad ways from April to June a parade and a big meal to finish it all off there’s always strawberry liqueur — order it in cocktails at any time of year for that sweet Crowds gather at the Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff.Photograph by Puxan Photo11 is known for its subtly flavoured pink onions which were sold door-to-door throughout Britain in the 19th and early 20th century It’s a custom that gave rise to the nickname ‘Onion Johnnies’ — the distinctively attired salesmen providing Britain with an enduring onion-necklaced stereotype for Frenchmen in general the onion harvest is welcomed with a fantastic celebration on the seafront The Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff involves traditional Breton music and dancing and a parade through the town by the remaining ‘Onion Johnnies’ and the brotherhoods of the onion and other local products Visitors can join in with the harvest at one of the local farms and there are also competitions to see how fast people can weave a string of onions together the galette-saucisse (a sausage wrapped in a buckwheat galette) which comes with a spoonful of caramelised onions including Basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange.Photograph by Catherine Filliol12 FranceIn the far southeast corner of France between Monaco and the Italian border on the Cote D’Azur the town of Menton enjoys a microclimate that makes it perfect for growing citrus fruit The Menton lemon has a thicker pith and lacks the bitterness of typical lemons making it ideal for caramelising and using in tarts and jams as well as many other products sold in the town’s enticing stores Every February, Menton comes alive with the 15-day Fête du Citron when huge sculptures made almost entirely from oranges and lemons are erected across the town As well as trips to the town’s own lemon grove you can visit producers and Menton’s many botanic gardens in which incredible floats made from oranges and lemons parade through town alongside musicians and dancers from around the world If sunshine is the essential ingredient in Provence’s best produce then you can certainly taste it in the Cavaillon melon has grown near the town of Cavaillon since the Middle Ages hosts tastings and banquets over a weekend density and appearance of the honeyed fruit falls to the Brotherhood of Knights of the Order of the Cavaillon Melon The festival culminates in a unique event where 100 Camargue horses are set free to run around the town A handful of deliciously fresh harvested olives.Photograph by AFP Getty Images14 Southern EuropeGreat swathes of Europe have From Portugal in the west to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean cultivation of the fruit continues to have a major impact on everything from local economies to the arts while the International Olive Council is headquartered in Madrid both in olive varieties — it produces more than 600 types — and the range of microclimates they grow in The nation’s olive trees are deeply rooted in its physical and psychological identity standing stoic for centuries over terroir that takes in pre-Alpine lakes olive cultivation is at the heart of Greek culture the goddess Athena offered an olive tree to Athenians as a symbol of wisdom and peace the country consumes more olive oil per person than any other olive harvests take place between September and December A rule of thumb: the further south you travel the later the harvest will be Speed and skill are of the essence when getting the fruit from tree to press before it oxidises and while select farms offer visitors the chance to get properly involved agriturismo properties and resorts offer special tours events and festivals during harvest season Chase the sun south to Sicily, where harvest season starts in October. At Fattoria Mosè an organic farm and agriturismo near Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples guests can experience the harvest hands-on and take part in tastings and cooking classes and experience menus focused on seasonal dishes Owner Simonetta Agnello Hornby and her sister Chiara are authors of Un Filo D’Olio (‘A Little Bit of Oil’) a recipe book centred on olive-focused regional dishes In Greece, head south west to the Peloponnese peninsula. Here, around the southern coastal city of Kalamáta, where the eponymous olive is king, farm stays often encourage guests to get involved in the November harvest. Lately, the vast Costa Navarino resort has also got in on the act where guests follow the olives’ journey from tree to bottle Visitors to any of the resort’s hotels can also take part in the olive harvest where they’ll learn about local varieties and visit an olive press There are also cookery courses and olive-focused spa treatments sweeter and pricier than its green counterpart it’s grown with labour-intensive attention: hidden under carefully replenished mounds of soil it’s deprived of sunlight so it doesn’t photosynthesise rendering the tender spears a ghostly pale white when they’re unearthed between April and June It’s traditionally served as a standalone dish steamed or gently boiled in an emulsion of water with the slightly less tender bases made into a velvety soup or a puree to accompany a meaty main Although grown in abundance in Germany and Austria Italy’s northern border regions are this vegetable’s heartland; an area along the Brenta River in the Vicenza province is Italy’s designated white asparagus zone with numerous dedicated festivals in and around the town of Bassano del Grappa The spears are also often served on 13 June who was said to have introduced white asparagus to Veneto Piedmontese hazelnuts after being shaken from the tree.Photograph by Simon Bajada16 ItalyAlthough most associated with the northern region of Piedmont nocciole (hazelnuts) are produced across Italy and Tonda Gentile Romana in Lazio to Siciliana o Nostrale in Sicily the hazelnut is a national favourite gelato flavour appears in Baci and Gianduja chocolates and is used in Nutella and the numerous regionally made alternatives But you’ll also find the nuts in pesto and ground into flour for both sweet and savoury dishes an agriturismo set in a renovated farmstead just outside Alba is surrounded by hazelnut woodland and orchards and has a restaurant specialising in Piedmontese dishes Try hazelnut spread on rustic bread for breakfast and some of Italy’s best truffles (this region is home to the tartufo bianco d’Alba) from the flowers and leaves to seeds and pulp The most prized can be found in the city of Mantua and the Veneto region — these include the green marina di chioggia and the peaked cappello del prete (‘priest’s hat’) a medieval-walled town in northeast Italy (22-23 October) Radicchio from Treviso ready to be served.Photograph by Stockfood18 ItalyRadicchio rosso di Treviso is only grown in a designated area and must be farmed using traditional techniques including ‘bleaching’ in the water of the Sile River Harvest season starts at autumn’s first frost with the harvested vegetables kept in the dark at a constant temperature for several weeks before they can be sold at markets their elegantly coiled leaves resplendent in purple and white Figs have been a staple of the Greek diet since ancient times.Photograph by AFP Getty Images19 GreeceFigs have been a staple of the Greek diet since ancient times: mythology has it that Demeter this potassium- and fibre-packed fruit has long been prized for its medicinal properties (it’s claimed it aids everything from a sore throat to heart disease) Greece is one of the world’s main producers when the fruit is at its most plump and juicy honours the fig tree with a huge dedicated feast look out for dried varieties such as the honey-coloured delicate skinned Taxiarchis — grown on the island of Evia — along with fig products such as sykomaida Portugal is one of Europe’s biggest producers of pine nuts grown largely in the Alentejo – a region of south and central Portugal where forests of stone pine cork and holm oak provide rootling ground for the Alentejo black pig Cones from the hardy Pinus pinea (stone pine) produce ‘white gold’ nuts harvested from December to March in an intricate monasteries and palaces often serving seasonal set in a medieval Moorish castle in Alcacer do Sal a restaurant housed in a 19th-century former dairy The Romans introduced viticulture to Germany around 2,000 years ago approximately 100 grape varieties are planted across the country’s 13 wine regions the ratio of white to red is approximately 70:30 the commercially important grape varieties being riesling the Palatinate wine region is a great starting point It’s home to the 52-mile German Wine Route It takes visitors past palaces and castles and through forests and vineyards while offering countless opportunities to attend wine festivals and culinary vineyard walks or simply enjoy the excellent food and wine offered everywhere from seasonal winery pop-ups to Michelin-starred restaurants When the potato was first brought to Germany from South America in the 16th century it was introduced to wealthy Germans as an ornamental plant  It was then used as animal fodder before eventually being deemed fit for humans potatoes are the only German crop that traditionally exceeds national consumption: in 2021 11.3million tonnes of 550 different varieties of potato were harvested from German soil a protected landscape 70 miles east of Hamburg and learn all about the treasured tuber from the information boards en route Visit at the end of the harvest season to join in the festivities at Lewitz’s potato festival Local restaurants serve up special potato dishes and traditional specialties such as mash with buttermilk and bacon and the month-long celebrations culminate in a festival involving a market Thought to have made its way to Germany from Central Asia in the 13th century and rhubarb) was one of the most important sources of food for rural German populations until the 18th century It’s enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity there’s the opportunity to try creations including buckwheat risotto and even a buckwheat burger bun (complete with beef patty) Published in Issue 17 (autumn 2022) of Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK)  european harvest food guide","lg":"https://assets-cdn.nationalgeographic.com/natgeo/static/default.NG.logo.dark.jpg","pblshr":"National 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time and you’ll taste the freshest ingredients while gaining a greater understanding of the local cuisine and culture here’s our top crops."},"readTime":"35 min read"},"config":{},"usesArticleObject":true},{"name":"Divider","props":{"className":"natgeoDivider"},"config":{},"usesArticleObject":true},{"name":"Body","props":{"body":[[{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"EditorsNote","props":{"body":"This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).","header":null},"context":{},"config":{"align":"full"}}},{"type":"h2","content":["1 UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["The image of orchards laden with fruit in late summer is central to our idea of the British countryside cultivated versions of both fruits."]},{"type":"p","content":["Apple production continued after the fall of the Roman Empire growing almost 2,000 varieties."]},{"type":"p","content":["The UK’s National Fruit Collection today contains 2,131 varieties of apple and 523 of pear with Royal Gala taking just over"]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"kvps":{"pos":"fitt-article-inline-outstream-1"},"type":"fitt-article-inline-outstream","className":"fitt-article-inline-outstream"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[320,50]},"regular":{"size":[320,50]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"p","content":["a quarter of market share you’ll find more options in a good greengrocer or veg box."]},{"type":"p","content":["As for how we consume them the most famous example being Babycham."]},{"type":"p","content":["Both are in season from August to November it’s not ripe; pears should be picked just before they’re ripe and given a week to sweeten up."]},{"type":"p","content":["You’ll find apples and cider on the bill at most autumnal food festivals in the UK although dedicated pomologists should look out for ",{"type":"a","content":["Big Apple"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.bigapple.org.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," events which run in spring and autumn on picturesque Marcle Ridge in Herefordshire Visitors are shipped between blossom- or fruit-filled orchards in a trailer hitched to a tractor the UK’s national Apple Day is traditionally 21 October with dozens of local events held on and around the day but ",{"type":"a","content":["Brogdale Farm"],"attrs":{"href":"https://brogdalecollections.org/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," is open for orchard days and pick-your-own in September and October."]},{"type":"h2","content":["2 UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["Garlic is a relative newcomer to the British food scene — it was only from the 1950s onwards that it became common in UK kitchens Yet recent research suggests Brits eat an average of half a clove a day It was introduced to the Isle of Wight by French soldiers during the Second World War with the island’s soil and climate suiting it perfectly Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the island’s Garlic Festival ",{"type":"a","content":["garlicfestival.co.uk"],"attrs":{"href":"http://garlicfestival.co.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," chefs’ stage and the famous garlic marquee The event is run in conjunction with the neighbouring ",{"type":"a","content":["Garlic Farm"],"attrs":{"href":"http://thegarlicfarm.co.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," Hampshire.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"Annual Watercress Festival in Alresford Hampshire.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Unauthorized use is prohibited.","alt":"Annual Watercress Festival in Alresford UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["Although watercress has been cultivated across the UK for centuries where it does well as long it’s damp."]},{"type":"p","content":["To get a taste for yourself visit ",{"type":"a","content":["Alresford Watercress Festival"],"attrs":{"href":"http://watercressfestival.org/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," try chilled watercress soup or watercress pesto."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by AFP via Getty Images","source":"","text":"Vibrant stalks of fresh rhubarb.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"Vibrant stalks of fresh rhubarb.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["As any enthusiast will tell you narrow and straight before being harvested by candlelight."]},{"type":"p","content":["If you see a bundle of hot-pink stalks in a greengrocers just after Christmas as the season is fairly short and demand is always high visit ",{"type":"a","content":["Wakefield’s Rhubarb Festival"],"attrs":{"href":"https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/rhubarb-festival/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," such as rhubarb gin or even rhubarb cocktails."]},{"type":"h2","content":["5 UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["Asparagus has been cultivated in the UK since the 16th century the British asparagus season begins on St George’s Day (23 April) and ends on Midsummer’s Day (21 June) And it’s a notoriously tricky crop — for the first two years and then it only crops for a couple of years you’ll find it on menus across the country but true believers should head for the Vale of Evesham where the asparagus has been given Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the annual Asparagus Festival ",{"type":"a","content":["britishasparagusfestival.co.uk"],"attrs":{"href":"https://britishasparagusfestival.co.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," classic cars and country dancing — plus you’ll meet Gus the Asparagus Man (green-faced and in asparagus costume)."]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"kvps":{"pos":"fitt-article-inline-outstream-2"},"type":"fitt-article-inline-outstream","className":"fitt-article-inline-outstream"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[320,50]},"regular":{"size":[320,50]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"h2","content":["6 UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["Nothing says British summertime like strawberries and cream particularly if you’re lucky enough to be at Wimbledon Wild strawberries are indigenous to much of Europe and the Americas although the plump strawberries we know now weren’t bred until the 1700s they’re not our only native soft fruit — we also have currants is one of the best places in the country for soft fruits and has a vibrant Slow Food community The region is dotted with pick-your-owns (try ",{"type":"a","content":["Pittormie"],"attrs":{"href":"http://www.pittormiefruitfarm.co.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," or ",{"type":"a","content":["Cairnie"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.cairniefruitfarm.co.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," farms) If you stay at ",{"type":"a","content":["Lindores"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.lindores.co.uk/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," agritourism farm you can also taste their wares."]},{"type":"h2","content":["7 UK"]},{"type":"p","content":["Throughout late spring and early summer as happily in busy town centres as in remote woodlands For those keen on collecting their own for cordial making the wild food expert and writer Mark Diacono has this advice: “Pick on a sunny day It’s a scent as much as a flavour and you don’t want to wash it away You want all the pollen so pick carefully and transfer to a bag And it’s better to not to pick right by a main road.” He also suggests making a cold water infusion rather than using boiling water to pull out the flavour but you get none of that back note of cat’s wee that hot water can give...” If you love the idea of picking elderflower but don’t want to make your own syrup or champagne ",{"type":"a","content":["Belvoir"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.belvoirfarm.co.uk/elderflower-harvest/get-involved/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," – makers of the famous cordial – invite members of the public to sell them their pickings every summer."]},{"type":"h2","content":["8 France"]},{"type":"p","content":["How did La Bonnotte become the world’s most expensive variety of potato to mark the 25",{"type":"sup","content":["th"]}," anniversary of the island’s agriculture co-operative where it sold for 15,000 francs (£1,500 at the time)."]},{"type":"p","content":["Their value lies in their scarcity: only 100 tons are produced each year France"]},{"type":"p","content":["If you want to enjoy Autumn in France has sea merchant Amédée-François Frézier to thank for its strawberries. ","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"The town of Plougastel-Daoulas has sea merchant Amédée-François Frézier to thank for its strawberries.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Unauthorized use is prohibited.","alt":"The town of Plougastel-Daoulas France"]},{"type":"p","content":["The town of Plougastel-Daoulas has sea merchant"," ","Amédée-François Frézier"," ","to thank for its strawberries."," ","Frézier"," ","brought them back from Chile in 1714 — from there on while the region’s chefs incorporate them into their menus in myriad ways from April to June."]},{"type":"p","content":["You can buy strawberries direct from producers such as ",{"type":"a","content":["Ty Neol"],"attrs":{"href":"https://fraises-tyneol.fr/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," just outside town; while in mid-June the annual ",{"type":"a","content":["Fête des Fraises"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.fetedesfraises.com/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," sees the locals don traditional costumes and perform Breton dancing strawberry hit."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by Puxan Photo","source":"","text":"Crowds gather at the Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"Crowds gather at the Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright France"]},{"type":"p","content":["The port town of Roscoff onion-necklaced stereotype for Frenchmen in general."]},{"type":"p","content":["Each August which comes with a spoonful of caramelised onions."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by Catherine Filliol","source":"","text":"View of Menton over the lemon trees including Basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"View of Menton over the lemon trees including Basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Unauthorized use is prohibited.","alt":"View of Menton over the lemon trees France"]},{"type":"p","content":["In the far southeast corner of France as well as many other products sold in the town’s enticing stores."]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"type":"fitt-article-inline-box","className":"fitt-article-inline-box"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[300,250]},"regular":{"size":[300,250]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"p","content":["Every February Menton comes alive with the 15-day ",{"type":"a","content":["Fête du Citron"],"attrs":{"href":"https://fete-du-citron.com/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," alongside musicians and dancers from around the world."]},{"type":"h2","content":["13 France"]},{"type":"p","content":["If sunshine is the essential ingredient in Provence’s best produce The festival culminates in a unique event where 100 Camargue horses are set free to run around the town."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by AFP Getty Images","source":"","text":"A handful of deliciously fresh harvested olives.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"A handful of deliciously fresh harvested olives.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Southern Europe"]},{"type":"p","content":["Great swathes of Europe have medicine and folklore."]},{"type":"p","content":["Spain is Europe’s biggest producer the country consumes more olive oil per person than any other."]},{"type":"p","content":["In Europe events and festivals during harvest season."]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"type":"fitt-article-inline-box","className":"fitt-article-inline-box"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[300,250]},"regular":{"size":[300,250]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"p","content":["Chase the sun south to Sicily At ",{"type":"a","content":["Fattoria Mosè"],"attrs":{"href":"http://fattoriamose.com/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," a recipe book centred on olive-focused regional dishes."]},{"type":"p","content":["In Greece head south west to the Peloponnese peninsula around the southern coastal city of Kalamáta farm stays often encourage guests to get involved in the November harvest the vast ",{"type":"a","content":["Costa Navarino"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.costanavarino.com/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," resort has also got in on the act There are also cookery courses and olive-focused spa treatments."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{},"image":{"id":null,"showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Unauthorized use is prohibited.","alt":"","sources":[{"src":{},"max":374,"nativeWidth":374},{"src":{},"max":413,"min":375,"nativeWidth":413},{"src":{},"min":414,"nativeWidth":718}]},"disableFullscreen":false},"context":{},"config":{"align":"full","alignXxs":"full"}}},{"type":"h2","content":["15 Italy"]},{"type":"p","content":["A herald of spring with the slightly less tender bases made into a velvety soup or a puree to accompany a meaty main."]},{"type":"p","content":["Although grown in abundance in Germany and Austria who was said to have introduced white asparagus to Veneto."," "]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by Simon Bajada","source":"","text":"Piedmontese hazelnuts after being shaken from the tree.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"Piedmontese hazelnuts after being shaken from the tree.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Italy"]},{"type":"p","content":["Although most associated with the northern region of Piedmont including pasta."]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"kvps":{"pos":"fitt-article-inline-outstream-4"},"type":"fitt-article-inline-outstream","className":"fitt-article-inline-outstream"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[320,50]},"regular":{"size":[320,50]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"p","content":["The Langhe area with several festivals dedicated to the noble nocciola including a huge international fair held in the town of ",{"type":"a","content":["Cortemilia"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.fieranocciolacortemilia.it/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," this celebration usually coincides with the end of the season bringing growers together from across Italy and beyond to celebrate the nut in a myriad of forms ",{"type":"a","content":["Cascina Giardini"],"attrs":{"href":"https://cascinagiardini.it/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," and some of Italy’s best truffles (this region is home to the tartufo bianco d’Alba)."]},{"type":"h2","content":["17 Italy"]},{"type":"p","content":["Grown from April to August a medieval-walled town in northeast Italy (22-23 October)."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by Stockfood","source":"","text":"Radicchio from Treviso ready to be served.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"Radicchio from Treviso ready to be served.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Italy"]},{"type":"p","content":["Radicchio rosso di Treviso is only grown in a designated area their elegantly coiled leaves resplendent in purple and white."]},{"type":"p","content":["The leafy veg is so popular there’s a ",{"type":"a","content":["Radicchio Road"],"attrs":{"href":"http://www.stradadelradicchio.it/en/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," — a collection of trails across the Veneto region restaurants and even Palladian villas on historic agricultural estates If you’re yet to be converted to the joys of this bitter leaf try it grilled or baked to bring out sweetness dressed with a balsamic reduction — or in a risotto flavoured with prosecco It’s a speciality at ",{"type":"a","content":["Locanda Sandi"],"attrs":{"href":"https://locandasandi.it/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," a rustic-chic inn in Valdobbiadene."]},{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Image","props":{"link":{},"caption":{"title":"","credit":"Photograph by AFP Getty Images","source":"","text":"Figs have been a staple of the Greek diet since ancient times.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false},"image":{"id":"Figs have been a staple of the Greek diet since ancient times.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Greece"]},{"type":"p","content":["Figs have been a staple of the Greek diet since ancient times: mythology has it that Demeter pepper and ouzo and wrapped in fig leaves."]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"kvps":{"pos":"fitt-article-inline-outstream-5"},"type":"fitt-article-inline-outstream","className":"fitt-article-inline-outstream"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[320,50]},"regular":{"size":[320,50]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"h2","content":["20 Spain"]},{"type":"p","content":["The Andalucian almond harvest begins around September with many producers still using traditional methods such as shaking the nuts from the trees into nets with the most prized variety being the plump Others to look out for are the more slender While visitors can enjoy the nuts as they come they also feature in some of the country’s oldest dishes from turrón (nougat) to a baked almond cake from the Santiago de Compostela region you’ll find almonds on tapas menus and in markets; stay at ",{"type":"a","content":["La Cazalla de Ronda"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.lacazalladeronda.com/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," where almonds are harvested by hand."]},{"type":"h2","content":["21 Portugal"]},{"type":"p","content":["Portugal is one of Europe’s biggest producers of pine nuts often done by hand."]},{"type":"p","content":["The creamy pearl-white pine fruits are said to get their rich flavour from the Atlantic breezes that buffet Alentejo forests Stay at one of the region’s ",{"type":"a","content":["pousadas"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.pousadasofportugal.com/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," Germany"]},{"type":"p","content":["German curly kale is not the stuff of smoothies and salads: thick-stemmed and hardy it’s traditionally harvested after the first autumn frost to ensure much of its bitterness has disappeared Most of the country’s kale is grown in the north west where it’s stewed with lard and onions and eaten with potatoes Throughout kale season (November to January) hiking through kale country with a handcart full of booze and the end goal of holing up in a pub feasting on stewed kale with all the trimmings To create your own rather gentler kale trip take a loop around the gardens of Bremen’s Bürgerpark and end with a plate of kale and sausages at ",{"type":"a","content":["Meierei"],"attrs":{"href":"https://meierei-bremen.de/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," a restaurant housed in a 19th-century former dairy."]},{"type":"h2","content":["23 Germany"]},{"type":"p","content":["The Romans introduced viticulture to Germany around 2,000 years ago or simply enjoy the excellent food and wine offered everywhere from seasonal winery pop-ups to Michelin-starred restaurants."]}],{"type":"inline","content":{"name":"Ad","props":{"ad":{"type":"fitt-article-inline-box","className":"fitt-article-inline-box"},"className":"natgeo-ad","placeholders":{"compact":{"size":[300,250]},"regular":{"size":[300,250]}},"initSelf":true},"context":{},"config":{"gridDisplayMode":"none"}}},[{"type":"h2","content":["24 Germany"]},{"type":"p","content":["When the potato was first brought to Germany from South America in the 16th century "," ","It was then used as animal fodder before eventually being deemed fit for humans 11.3million tonnes of 550 different varieties of potato were harvested from German soil."]},{"type":"p","content":["From May to October dance and art."]},{"type":"h2","content":["25 Germany"]},{"type":"p","content":["Thought to have made its way to Germany from Central Asia in the 13th century and the fact it’s gluten free."]},{"type":"p","content":["Generally ripening between August and mid-September buckwheat is best enjoyed at Lüneburg Heath in Lower Saxony where you can enjoy local specialties made with the grain such as pancakes with seasonal berries (ideally served with tea and followed by a local schnapps) and buckwheat cake made of layers of sponge At the restaurant of the organic farm ",{"type":"a","content":["Hof Tütsberg"],"attrs":{"href":"https://www.tuetsberg.de/","rel":"nofollow noopener noreferrer","target":"_blank"}}," Hampshire.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false}}},{"type":"image","data":{"disableFullscreen":false,"articleConfig":{"alignXxs":"full","align":"full"},"image":{"id":"Vibrant stalks of fresh rhubarb.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright has sea merchant Amédée-François Frézier to thank for its strawberries. ","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false}}},{"type":"image","data":{"disableFullscreen":false,"articleConfig":{"alignXxs":"full","align":"full"},"image":{"id":"Crowds gather at the Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright including Basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange.","lines":3,"showMoreText":"Read More","showLess":false}}},{"type":"image","data":{"disableFullscreen":false,"articleConfig":{"alignXxs":"full","align":"full"},"image":{"id":"A handful of deliciously fresh harvested olives.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright Unauthorized use is prohibited.","alt":"","sources":[{"src":{},"max":374,"nativeWidth":374},{"src":{},"max":413,"min":375,"nativeWidth":413},{"src":{},"min":414,"nativeWidth":718}]},"inlineId":"189e7ce6-cbd7-46ea-9e5f-e5ceec282f76"}},{"type":"image","data":{"disableFullscreen":false,"articleConfig":{"alignXxs":"full","align":"full"},"image":{"id":"Piedmontese hazelnuts after being shaken from the tree.","showCopyright":"Please be respectful of copyright villagers are opening up their homes to guests cooking recipes that reach back through generations but visitors shouldn’t overlook its street kitchens serving everything from local seafood to sweet is so famed for its food that it’s designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy more lavish rendition that would please a royal court.","ttl":"Deconstruct - Kedgeree - Spring2025 - dish","rchDsc":{"markup":"Kedgeree recipes tend to fall into two camps: a low-waste version suitable for home cooks and a richer more lavish rendition that would please a royal court."},"rchTtl":{"markup":"Deconstruct - Kedgeree - Spring2025 - dish"}},"sections":[{"name":"Travel","id":"432c4f83-2d55-3974-b95f-a221c87c0fd1","type":"sources","uri":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel"}],"headline":"This British breakfast classic originated in India","link":"https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-to-cook-kedgeree-british-classic-with-indian-origins"},{"description":"Inspired by the humble cabbage challenges stereotypes around Eastern European cuisine set snugly between the Swiss and Austrian Alps having opened its doors in 1198.","ttl":"The Brazen Head Pub Dublin","rchDsc":{"markup":"Located on Bridge Street quick lunch dish in Hong Kong.","ttl":"A taste of Hong Kong noodle soup landscape","rchDsc":{"markup":"Best enjoyed with a dash of red vinegar This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks the famous Plougastel strawberry of the Savéol producers “The Gariguette is a well-balanced variety with a very unique taste the Gariguette is very popular among star chefs the variety has a “very aromatic taste with a beautiful sweetness thanks to the mild climate of the Bretagne region of France.” Available since mid-March the Gariguette will be available until the end of June The cooperative expects to produce nearly 2600 tons this year year after year“French consumers are familiar with the Red Label which identifies a certain know-how and quality The consumption of our Red Label strawberries has been increasing significantly year after year.” the Mariguette will appear on the shelves until the end of September For more information: Savéol 77, rue du Père Gwenaël 29470 Plougastel-Daoulas saveol.com FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 FreshPlaza.com A village in northwest France has offered a reward of 2,000 euros ($2,240) for anyone who can decrypt the series of letters and symbols chiseled into a boulder near town told AFP that those dates correspond to the construction of several artillery batteries built to protect a nearby fort Whether this information has anything to do with the mysterious inscription has baffled visiting academics and amateur code breakers for years the town has opened the puzzle to the public A jury will decide which interpretation is most likely and award the 2,000 euro prize after that the legible parts of the inscription read: "ROC AR B .. DRE AR GRIO SE EVELOH AR VIRIONES BAOAVEL .. Town officials told AFP that the contest rules and submission information are available at Plougastel-Daoulas' town hall.They have not said whether international puzzlers will be able to submit their answers online Originally published on Live Science Brandon SpecktorSocial Links NavigationEditorBrandon is the space/physics editor at Live Science His writing has appeared in The Washington Post the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona geoscience and the mysteries of the universe AI is just as overconfident and biased as humans can be Lapped by the waves of the Atlantic and visible at only low tide a mysterious rock inscription believed to be centuries old and so far undeciphered lurks outside a French village in Brittany The town hall in Plougastel-Daoulas in the Finistere region of Brittany in northwest France is now offering a €2,000 reward for anyone who can decrypt the sequence of letters and symbol Could the small boulder have been used for a love letter whose secret has remained untouched for centuries or a proud note left by an eighteenth-century fort-builder the rock is sometimes compared to the Rosetta Stone the great ancient Egyptian stele now in the British Museum whose inscription was partly deciphered by the French Egyptologist Jean-Francois Champollion The authorities in Plougastel-Daoulas hope that their competition will shed light on the enigmatic piece of history.  "This inscription is a mystery and it is for this that we are launching the appeal," said Veronique Martin who is spearheading the search for a code-cracker is accessed via a path from the hamlet of Illien ar Gwenn just to the north of Corbeau point The inscription fills the entirety of one of its sides and is mainly in capital letters but there are also pictures including a sailing boat "These dates correspond more or less to the years that various artillery batteries that protected Brest and notably Corbeau Fort which is right next to it," she said On a first glance the inscription defies interpretation DRE AR GRIO SE EVELOH AR VIRIONES BAOAVEL.. "There are people who tell us that it's Basque and others who say it's old Breton," said the mayor of Plougastel-Daoulas Dominique Cap "But we still have not managed to decipher the text," the mayor told AFP adding the rock was first spotted around three-four years ago The appeal to crack the code has been made to linguists students or simply people who enjoy code-breaking as a hobby A jury will then meet to choose the most plausible suggestion and award the prize we can't make them out," said the municipal councillor in charge of local heritage Michel Paugam please register for free or log in to your account A €2,000 competition launched to help decipher a mysterious 230-year-old inscription found carved into a rock slab discovered on the Brittany coast has revealed that it may have been written in Welsh The meter-high stone which is only accessible at low tide was discovered three years ago in a cove in Brittany bearing 20 lines of inscription which had defied all attempts at interpretation by academics was thought by many to be old Breton or Basque and that the person who wrote it may only have been semi-literate Historian Roger Faligot and artist Alain Robet submitted a translation in which they claimed the words were written in Breton but they believe some of the words were written in the Welsh language and their translation reads: “He was the incarnation of courage and joie de vivre an English teacher and Celtic language expert also worked on the stone’s message on the assumption that the writer was a semi-literate man speaking 18th century Breton and his translation reads: “Serge died when with no skill at rowing A panel of historians judged all the entries and declared the “two winning theories” were the most plausible interpretations Mayor Dominique Cap says the two translations that were forwarded differed slightly but the resulting stories were “very similar” and both winners concurred that the inscription was a remembrance of a man who had died at sea These two winning entries will split the €2,000 prize money from the village of Plougastel-Daoulas in Brittany came up with the idea of holding a competition to crack the inscription News of the competition spread through social media and attracted over 60 complete translations Most entries came from France but contestants entered from the US and as far as Thailand Martin said the competition mainly attracted “treasure hunters and people who are passionate about research and solving mysteries” Some of the letters are upside-down and there are even some Scandinavian-style Ø letters present The years ‘1786 AD’ and ‘1787 AD’ are carved on the stone which dates the inscription to a few years before the French Revolution Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" As a man with halen yn y gwaed I love this story A salty voice comes through clear and true Leetle muddled though: can’t see how “he was the incarnation…” and “Serge died…” can be translations of the same line though Some photos here: http://ciphermysteries.com/2019/05/13/plougastel-inscription-photographs Certainly has some Breton words in it among all the stuff that needs expert analysis Connect with Nation.Cymru on Facebook and Twitter If you would like to donate to help keep Nation.Cymru running then you just need to click on the box below it will open a pop up window that will allow you to pay using your credit / debit card or paypal Enter your email address to receive instant notifications of new articles All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018 In 2017 Nation.Cymru was launched after raising £5000 from a crowdfunding campaign Today it is one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK attracting over 1.5 million visitors a month We are not backed by billionaire owners or hidden behind a paywall but we depend on our readers' support to continue our work If everyone who visited the site over the course of a month donated at least £1 we would have enough funding for the next eight years To guarantee our future please consider making a donation today. the three-foot-tall rock is located on the shores of the commune and is only accessible during low tide you will see the truth.” This seems like an ominous message that may provide clues as to the nature of the following inscription 61 submissions came in from all over the world offering potential translations of the remaining inscription It took almost a year after the opening of the contest for submissions to be returned to the jury and deliberated. In the end, there wasn’t just one winner who presented the best translation, there were two a Celtic studies expert and English professor The second was a duo: writer Roger Faligot and comic artist Alain Robet Both responses reached a similar conclusion: that the inscription was about a man possibly named ‘Serge,’ who died near a beach prior to the French Revolution each translation has its own interpretation of how the individual mentioned in the inscription died as well as how the inscriber actually knew who they were writing about The stone is inscribed with the signature of someone named Haloteau and is dated May 8 he suggests that the inscriber was a soldier named Grégoire Haloteau He believes that Haloteau wrote the inscription in memory of his friend Serge Le Bris who died at sea They believe that Serge may have died at the hand of another “He was the incarnation of courage and joie de vivre [or zest for life] adding even more difficulty to the task of translating there are also several Scandinavian Ø letters as well as some French characters written upside-down Some believe that there are also Welsh characters mixed into the inscription researchers agree that the person responsible for carving the message was semi-illiterate The date inscribed on the stone correlates to a period when a fort was being renovated nearby “Maybe people working in the fort had free time to come here in the evening,” said Michel Paugam the town’s heritage and historical site manager and one of them worked on the inscription.” Whoever carved the message “had expertise in sculpting and the material,” Paugam said it’s possible someone else was telling the engraver what to do but they were definitely from the profession More from us: The Treasure Of Gangster Dutch Schultz Is Somewhere Beneath New York… Probably the winners of the contest split the €2,000 prize much of the carving’s message is still unknown said that one-fifth of the inscription still needs to be translated “There is still a way to go to solve the mystery completely,” he said Perhaps we will never know what the writer intended to say centuries ago Samantha Franco is a content writer with a BA and MA in history She has written content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics Join 1000s of subscribers and receive the best Vintage News in your mailbox for FREE