Congrès des Régions de France, September 27-28, 2023 - testimony from Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region.

"The Palais du Grand Large is a tool that brings people together and gives them strength".

Why did you decide to host this 19th edition in Brittany?

This year's theme was "Regions at the heart of solutions". In Brittany, we believe that the territories can play an important role in the Republic and the European Union, and that real political decentralization is possible and desirable to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow: adaptation to climate change, mobility, housing, democratic revitalization... It was important to organize this 2023 congress in Brittany, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the CPMR*. 

Why did you choose Saint-Malo and the Palais du Grand Large?

I wanted us to meet by the sea, in a building open to the open sea. We had to discuss complicated issues such as transitions and social cohesion, and I was counting on the ocean's soothing, eternal quality to help us tackle these issues calmly. The sea opens minds. I believe that the place where we meet, where we discuss, has an impact on the mood of participants and the outcome of meetings. It's certainly not the most important thing, but it's part of it. 

We also chose Le Grand Large for its proximity to the SNCF train station: the journey between the two sites takes just 15 minutes on foot. This connection minimizes the environmental footprint of attendees.

What did delegates think of the Palais du Grand Large and Saint-Malo?

Saint-Malo is an emblematic place that embodies Brittany and makes you want to come back. My elected colleagues told me that they left with fond memories of the region. With the Palais du Grand Large, delegates have discovered a tool that is conducive to exchanges, that brings people together, that gives them strength. It's a meeting place that generates discussion and action. As Bretons, we need to make our region better known than through the prism of postcards and media flashes, whether positive or negative. The meeting we've just had at Le Grand Large is a message about the existence and strength of the "Breizh spirit" that drives our region and its players.

What will remain of this congress? Will there be a "post-Congress Saint-Malo"?

Carole Delga, President of the Occitanie Region and Régions de France, called for a State-Region tandem to achieve our common goals. This was in front of Élisabeth Born, our Prime Minister. Carole had the good idea of naming this "challenge driven by the Breton breath", in her own words, "l'appel de Saint-Malo". This call is dated, now identified as an important moment in the life of the regions. It will generate a follow-up: we have an appointment with Matignon between now and the end of the year. The Saint-Malo appeal will leave its mark.

Interview conducted by Béatrice Ercksen.

*CPMR- Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (cpmr.org)