Ordre des chevaliers bretvins

The Bailliage du Pays de Galles of the Ordre des Chevaliers Bretvins came about in 1993 when the mayors of Cardiff and Nantes agreed that the two cities should twin and looked for ways to build relationships between the communities.

The Ordre des Chevaliers Bretvins had been established in 1948, and the Ordre was keen to promote muscadet and the products of the Loire more widely. It was agreed that a new Bailliage should be created in Wales. Peter Andrews, who at the time had a vineyard near Hensol, was asked to organise this new Bailliage. He visited Nantes and was intronised there in 1992. He subsequently brought together a group of friends and the first meeting of the Bailliage de Pays de Galles was held on the first of November 1993.

Among that early group were Andrew Parker, Mike Salter, Eddie Rabaiotti, John Foster Thomas and Islwyn Wigley who remain with the Bailliage to this day.

The bailliage continues to be strong with some 60 members. The gentlemen are called Chevaliers and the ladies Dames de la Duchesse Anne.

We usually meet on five occasions each year, starting in March with our Annual Chapter, where new members are intronised, followed by a summer dinner, a garden party, a vendage dinner in September and a Xmas party in December. Partners are always invited and each event focusses on good food and wines, particularly muscadet.

Apart from the headquarters of the Order in Nantes, there are Bailliages in London, Belgium, Alcester, Berlin, Saarbrucken, Warsaw, Guernsey and Savona in Italy. Members are often invited to events abroad, particularly where there is an anniversary to be celebrated, and these are invariably convivial affairs amongst like-minded people.

Our motto is bois le vin, sois bon comme lui.

Clive Johnson

Bailli