De Maël-Pestivien au Cézallier, l'itinéraire d'un druide
De la Bretagne au Massif Central, un itinéraire hors du temps...
C'est dans la "Chaire des Druides" de Maël-Pestivien que je parlais d'un voyage musical effectué la veille dans le wigwam (dôme de toile) avec Youri Defrance, druide de passage dans cet endroit proche des sources du Blavet. Mais aujourd'hui, on retrouve sa trace dans un endroit plus haut de mille mètres, un ensemble de plateaux et montagnes volcaniques que certains locaux nomment "la petite mongolie", allusion aux plateaux, les "estives" balayées par tous les vents, domaine des vaches Salers ou Aubrac.
Le Cézallier, situé dans le Massif Central est composé d'un socle hercynien granito-gneissique affecté par un volcanisme très actif et récent. Il faut entendre par "récent" quelques dizaines de milliers à quelques milliers d'années (comme Montchal ou Montcineyre), avec d'anciens cratères garnis de lacs (comme le Pavin, Chauvet..). Â l'origine du Cézallier, un stratovolcan dont il reste le Signal du Luguet culminant à 1551m. Cet ensemble a subi le travail des glaciers et possède aussi un étage montagnard limité à des gorges et combes boisées de hêtres et chênes ainsi que de pins sylvestres.
L'érosion glaciaire a formé des cuvettes de surcreusement dans lesquelles se situent des tourbières qui ont été exploitées (comme à Landeyrat et à Picherande).Les humains colonisent ce pays à l'âge du Bronze (présence de tumulus et tombelles). Au XIXe siècle, l'activité minière est présente avec l'extraction d'antimoine à Anzat-le-Luguet, puis l'argent et l'arsenic au Bosberty. On ne peut parler du Cézallier sans citer les nombreuses sources froides et certaines chaudes. Les sources minérales carbogazeuses (eaux de type bicarbonaté sodique) sont réputées thérapeutiques. Les géothermomètres à cations indiquent que ces eaux ont connu des températures de l'ordre de 200°c lors de leur parcours souterrain.(B.Feuga, BRGM 1987).
Ainsi Youri Defrance se place ici dans le quadricèle des ancêtres celtes: la terre et son relief (représenté par le cube à 6 faces dans les Solides de Platon), l'air montagnard (représenté par l'octaèdre à 8 faces), l'eau thérapeutique(l'icosaèdre à 8 faces) et le feu (tétraèdre à 4 faces)des volcans qui ne demandent qu'à se réveiller car ils ne sont qu'endormis! Il ne manque que l'Ether, le dodécaèdre pentagonal à 12 faces pour compléter l'harmonie (voir "Les Eléments" d'Euclide: 300avJC) dans laquelle le druide va affronter l'hiver montagnard et précoce si l'on regarde la météo du jour!Mais quel endroit grandiose pour faire vibrer la voix et la Morinkhuur, la vièle mongole à tête de cheval...
Pierre JEZEQUEL
A musical journey to the Chair of the Druids in Maël-Pestivien, Côtes-d'Armor.
A timeless journey, "the ajar door" to another world, on May 3rd with Youri Defrance. The Chaire des Druides is an ensemble of granite blocks covered in moss.
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In an article published on my blog on March 25th, I wrote about this magical place located in the middle of the countryside, high up, and I explained the natural processes that created this "set" that is particularly inspiring for those who know how to look beyond physical reality. The location of the dome, which I named "geode" and which has been in place for nine months, was not chosen at random. The terrain's uniqueness lies in its location at the sources of the Blavet, on the Quintin granite massif, which is in the process of disintegration. This is evident in the areneized zones deep within the fractures of the rock, with hollowed-out areas that form underground caves and amplify sounds on the surface. It is strange to experience the effect of these resonances inside the dome. The concert performed before leaving for the Vosges is a true initiatory journey, guided by a musician and singer with unusual sonorities, both in terms of the power of his voice (and his exceptionally wide vocal range) and the sound of his instruments: guitars, but especially the Mongolian horsehead fiddle, the "morin khuur," which accompanies the audience on its journey and meditation.This shared moment in a magical place makes us feel a connection that is often broken by our contemporary civilization and that connects us to our Mother Earth, which we mistreat (I think, for example, of the sources of the Blavet, where 15 m³ of fuel were recently spilled into the river!)
Stéphane Fougère (Rythmes) said of him, "Youri Defrances shared with his audience a moment of cathartic communion, with sounds carrying an instinctive vibration, like a humble messenger, a guide connecting the physical and psychic worlds."
Par Pierre JEZEQUEL comment:
30 mai 2025 à 04:06
A powerful place, inspiration for poetry that is felt more than it is spoken.
A real place, a corridor to the past that leads here to bring to life what seems buried.
Buried from before and buried from our senses today.
Yet so much life and strength seem to have passed through here on this corner of mineral earth. On this special evening, here in this warm shelter, perfectly shaped to envelop people and sounds, the music transported me to this truth that lies deep within my being.
Music from instruments, music from a voice and a play with sounds that produces something exceptional and a depth of emotion. Undoubtedly that of a return to the deepest part of ourselves. Thank you, Youri, for this communion with nature, thank you, Pierre, for the trace of this precious moment left in this blog. I am happy to have experienced a time of encounter, sharing, and simple yet profound exchange, far from the meaningless rush of our usual concerns.
Claudia
Between Brittany, where he often performs, and the Cévennes, whose highest point is Mont Lozère, the singer is fond of geographical locations where telluric forces meet and eras merge.
The number of places is limited (around thirty) and could attract the attention of fans of timeless music who may already have crossed paths with the man himself, through his albums, his words, or his photos. Having gradually withdrawn from social media for ethical reasons, Youri Defrance's communication has become more underground in recent years, adding further mystery to his unusual career. Information about the event and the dates, which are already set for 2024, is available. The weather conditions may be a little harsh at this time of year in this part of the world, but the experience will definitely be worth it. The Wigwam team offers local accommodation and other tailor-made arrangements for spectators/explorers so that no one gets eaten by wolves and everyone can enjoy the evening as it should be enjoyed.
At a time when many are questioning the transformation of musical forms, Youri Defrance celebrates ephemeral art, the present moment, and emotions that will remain forever etched in our memories.
Par Benjamin Berton
