Traveling in Salento: How a woman from Brittany fell in love with this land
My discovery of “Italian Brittany”
When people ask me why I created LADY PAPAVERO, jewelry that reinterprets the ancient art of Lecce papier-mâché, I always give the same answer: because my trip to Salento changed my life. I like to say that I found my Brittany… under the Salento sun!
An unexpected emotion: recognition in strangeness
As a native of Brittany, I grew up to the rhythm of the tides, coastal paths, and windswept cliffs. I always had this feeling of being at the edge of the world, gazing out at the horizon, lulled by the sea spray. So, the day I set foot in Salento, this remote corner in the south of Puglia, I felt a real shock: a shock of recognition, as if part of me already knew this land.
To the east, the cliffs of the Adriatic: Pointe du Raz, with temperatures 15 degrees higher
On the Adriatic coast of Salento, facing vertiginous cliffs sculpted by the wind, I found the same feeling as in Brittany: this raw confrontation between rock and sea, this wild beauty without artifice. The ruggedness of the cliffs, the low light caressing the horizon, and the majestic solitude are intensely reminiscent of my Breton landscapes… albeit, it must be said, fifteen degrees warmer.
The Maldives of Salento and Brittany
As I continued my journey towards the Ionian coast, I had another surprise: over a hundred kilometers of beaches with turquoise waters. The Italians refer to this area as the “Maldive del Salento,” and I immediately thought of the Glénan Islands in Brittany, which we also call the Maldives. Two regions far apart geographically, but sharing the same magic: crystal clear water, small fishing boats gently rocking on the waves, and sandbanks exposed at low tide. The same marine poetry, here illuminated by the southern sun.
Santa Maria di Leuca: an essential stop on any trip to Salento, my Mediterranean Finistère.
It was in Santa Maria di Leuca, at the very tip of Italy’s heel, that I experienced my most intense emotion. The white lighthouse standing facing the sea, the sheer cliffs, the meeting point between the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas… everything reminded me of my Breton capes, such as Cap Fréhel or Pointe du Van. Here too, you get that feeling of being at the end of the world, that gentle vertigo that makes your heart beat faster. The light is golden, different from that of Brittany, but the spirit is the same: you breathe in a promise of eternity and a raw beauty that touches you deeply.
The sea on your plate : specialties to savor during a trip to Salento
It’s impossible to talk about my love for Salento without mentioning food. As someone from Brittany, I know how much the sea shapes our cuisine. Here, I tasted stuffed mussels, grilled octopus, and fish marinated in scapece: bold, generous, and authentic flavors. Like in Brittany, we cook what the sea offers, with respect and simplicity. And orecchiette, those little rustic pasta shapes, reminded me of our galettes: a dish that symbolizes the land, the hand that shapes it, and the tradition that is passed down.
Masserie and trulli: Italian cousins of our thatched cottages
When I moved to Salento, I discovered the masserie, ancient fortified farms that have now been converted into guesthouses or workshops. In the Itria Valley, I admired the trulli of Alberobello, these amazing cone-roofed buildings. Their architecture immediately reminded me of Breton cottages or granite farmhouses: houses rooted in their land, shaped by the climate and local history. The stones may differ, but the attachment to their roots remains the same.
The same pride in traditions, the same way of life
What touched me deeply in Salento was the locals’ attachment to their traditions, their way of living in their region, defending it, and loving it. It is a land of slowness, human warmth, and deep connections. As in Brittany, every gesture, every celebration, and every encounter tells a story of transmission and identity.
My Breton advice for discovering Salento
If you are planning a trip to Salento, spring or fall are the best times to visit. During these seasons, the light is soft, the olive trees are fragrant, and the sea is still pleasantly warm. This is when you can best appreciate the magic of this region, with its blend of raw beauty and living traditions.
Salento has become my Italian Brittany, a corner of the earth where I feel at home under a different sky.
To organize your stay, you can find other ideas at the official tourism website of Lecce and on the page dedicated to Puglia on Lonely Planet
