France: The Viking Obsession You Didn’t See Coming

When we think of Viking fandom today, three places usually come to mind: Scandinavia, where the Vikings originated; the British Isles, which bore the brunt of their raids; and the United States, where Scandinavian immigrants have passed on their heritage through generations of Norse pride. But one country rarely mentioned—yet perhaps more enthusiastic than all the rest—is France.

It might come as a surprise that France is home to one of the world's most vibrant, widespread, and creative Viking enthusiast communities. And it's not just confined to Normandy, the historically “Northman”-named region ceded to Viking leader Rollo in the 10th century. The Viking revival in France is happening in coastal towns and inland cities, from grassroots workshops to theatrical concert halls.

French Viking Shipbuilding is Booming.

Take, for instance, Les Sables-d’Olonne, a seaside town on the Atlantic coast of the Vendée region. There, a group of volunteers is building a full-scale replica of a Viking sh…