2 #7
Nolwenn, too, is an indirect victim of this intrusive tourism—but will that argument resonate?
After the midday milking and bottle-feeding her cows, Louane decides to shift her strategy.
She plans simply to explain the origins of her project to Nolwenn in detail and see, as the conversation unfolds, whether Nolwenn shares her perspective.
It is 2:00 PM when Nolwenn returns from Rennes.
The two women settle into the living room with a good cup of coffee to talk.
After catching up on the day’s collection and delivery to the Rennes University Hospital, Louane takes the time to explain to Nolwenn what drove her to launch her business, as well as her frustration at no longer being able to practice as a midwife in her native region.
Nolwenn is fully in agreement, finding herself in the same situation as her friend.
She, too, has realized that their location in southern Brittany, near the coast, has become a disadvantage due to competition from the tourism industry.
Nolwenn even surprises Louane by taking the analysis a step further.
Nolwenn: "I also really resent what I call the 'tourism profiteers.' For Parisians and foreigners to buy our houses, locals have to sell them, of course—but it goes beyond that."
She criticizes those who used to offer long-term rentals but have switched to seasonal rentals—which are more lucrative but deprive local young people of housing.
Louane is delighted as she listens to her friend.
She suggests continuing the conversation on the back terrace, as the sun is out now.
The two women grab another coffee and, cups in hand, step through the French doors leading to the terrace.
From there, there is a view of the meadows: Gwendal’s herd is in the one on the left, and Louane’s is in the one on the right.
Bells chime as the animals move about. Nolwenn sets her cup on the coffee table and seems to study the meadow on the right more closely. Louane stands beside her.
Louane: "Gwendal’s herd is on the left, and mine is on the right—though with new breeds: Holstein, Jersey, and Danish Red."
Louane hands her friend a pair of binoculars so she can get a better look at this unusual herd.
The amused smile on her face immediately reassured Louane about Nolwenn’s reaction.
There was no doubt about it: she was on board.
The bottle of sleeping pills in her pocket wouldn’t be needed to sweeten Nolwenn’s second cup of coffee after all.
Nolwenn seems genuinely surprised, which is perfectly understandable.
The two women sit back down.
Nolwenn: "So *that’s* where the milk collected straight from the farm comes from. And to think I was secretly eyeing your chest, wondering if it was yours!"
Louane: "No, I’m a breeder, not a producer."
Nolwenn, playing along: "But where do these cows come from?"
Louane: "Don’t you recognize all those foreign tourists who clutter up our beaches the moment the sun comes out?"
Nolwenn: "So you invite them to discover the real Brittany—its meadows and farms?"
Louane: "Exactly."
Nolwenn: "I have to admit, I’m impressed. Did you come up with the idea before or after you started your milk collection service?" ?
Louane: "The milk collection is a necessary supplement to my own herd, though it’s turned out to be quite a success—as you can see, and as you’re helping to make happen."
Nolwenn: "Can I go take a closer look at your herd?"
Louane: "I’d love for you to; we’ll go through the barn to get there."
Louane leads Nolwenn toward the barn and the hidden entrance to the underground stable. As Nolwenn discovers her friend’s setup, she is completely blown away.
Nolwenn: "What an incredible job!"
Louane: "You can congratulate Gwendal when he gets home from work; he’s the one who set it all up."
Once the tour of the stable is over, the two women step out of the shed and into the small grove. Nolwenn runs her hand over the high-quality, incredibly soft artificial turf that allows the herd to reach the pasture.
Louane: "It’s a slight departure from our ecological principles, but it saves wear and tear on our cows' suits, which are relatively expensive."
The two women approach the cows, which gaze curiously at the newcomer.
All four are sitting in the shade of an apple tree, communicating through gestures since they are wearing halters with bits in their mouths.
Their bells jingle as they turn their heads.
Louane introduces the cows to Nolwenn in the order they arrived: first Sarah, then Alma, and finally Hilda and Anneliese.
Louane speaks to Nolwenn in Breton, noting that the two German cows speak French very well.
Louane: "So, we have a Jersey, a Danish Red, and two Holsteins."
Nolwenn: "They’re magnificent. What criteria are used to select them?"
Louane: "They have to be foreign tourists—young and pretty—with an unpleasant personality and no respect for Brittany."
Nolwenn: "Those are good criteria. I don’t mind them being pretty—you might have gathered this, Louane, but I’m not immune to the charms of women. But why that specific criterion for dairy farming, unless it’s just for the sake of appearances?"
Louane: "So they’ll produce pretty calves for us."