Life Memories – Rochefort-en-Terre

How did people live in Rochefort-en-Terre in the last century? This 1st episode looks back at life in the town, where commercial, administrative and educational functions were concentrated, and where conveniences such as running water arrived little by little. Between resourcefulness and mutual aid, anecdotes abound. Inhabitants also recall the warm atmosphere of the festivities that brought the community together and where music was never far away, as well as the spectacular pardon procession. The Second World War is also a common thread running through the collective memory. More recently, the rise of tourism has prompted us to reflect on the challenges of cohabitation between visitors and locals, and the preservation of the environment.

Whether you’re a “true Rochefortais” or have fallen in love with the town’s heritage over the years, whether you live in the Vieux-Bourg or the upper town, where does your sense of belonging to the town come from? Inhabitants testify to their deep-rooted connection with Rochefort-en-Terre. For all of them, one event left a lasting impression on their memories: the fire at the old people’s home on October 13, 1953. René Bignonet became a firefighter and head of the rescue center. Attention is also paid to the involvement of local residents in the life of the city.

To tell the story of the town, it’s the oldest houses and the site of the château that are chosen, charged with art and history. Restored in the last century by the Klots family, who came from America and were adopted by the Rochefortais, the château was only recently opened to the public. Located opposite the public school, it provided a playground for children after school, in the moat and underground passageways. Down below, the Old Town was home to a more modest population than in the upper town, where wealthier, French-speaking merchants were based. If we look at the natural heritage of the area, the inhabitants are particularly fond of the green setting in which the town nestles, starting with the Grées, a slate schist landscape ideal for numerous hikes. Finally, the discussion was an opportunity to pay tribute to Mayor René Belliot, who played a key role in helping the town obtain the Petite Cité de Caractère® label in 1978!

In the 1950s, Rochefort had two schools where children stayed until the age of 14: the public school, and the Notre-Dame free school – private and Catholic – which some had renamed the devil’s school and the good Lord’s school. At the time, there was a great deal of rivalry between the two schools, and pupils rarely saw each other, except during wartime commemorations. Inhabitants tell of the games and distractions they enjoyed so much in the playground (hopscotch, marbles, jacks, etc.), as well as all the carefree mischief they got up to! At lunchtime, for those who lived too far away, we had to eat at the canteen or at the local people’s house.

By the middle of the 20th century, the list of businesses was a la Prévert! At least 23 bistros, 3 bakeries, 3 shoe-makers, a clogmaker, masons, coal merchants, painters, a barber, mechanics, a hatter etc…. Rochefort-en-Terre was a county town, and almost everything could be found there. It also had the Ponts et Chaussées, a post office, a gendarmerie, a slaughterhouse and a number of health professionals. Religious pardons were still very much alive. Enough to attract people from neighboring towns!

How did people get information in the last century? That’s the subject of this latest episode! Discussions follow the evolution of means of communication. In 1940, unlike most rural communities, Rochefort-en-Terre had electricity and many homes had radios. Telephones and televisions were rarer, but people made arrangements with their neighbors to benefit from them. Antennas are even installed on the rocky spur of Les Grées! The program ends with a look back at the “Mémoires de villes” project.