On the Tracks of the Little Prince

If you want to discover culture and history during your trip to Brazil, in addition to beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and beautiful landscapes, the island of Florianopolis is the right place for you. Historically seen a Brazil vacation or an experience and discovery journey in South Brazil has to offer plenty to discover, as for example the former fishing village Campeche.

In the 1920s and 30s, the postal company of France established the first airfreight and airmail lines from Paris to Buenos Aires. At that time Argentina was considered the richest country in South America, but the complete route could not be realized by direct flight. The town of Campeche and the French author, poet, and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupery played an important role in the development of these airlines. He was responsible for the creation and development of the first air freight and airmail lines between France and South America. Through his training as a naval pilot, he brought the necessary experience and knowledge to realize such a project. His main profession as a pilot may also have inspired him to write, as Saint-Exupery carried out the first night flights from Europe to South America and processed his experiences in the novel "Night Flight", published in 1931. This work finally helped him to his breakthrough as an author.

Above all, Saint-Exupery is known for his world-famous work "The Little Prince", which takes us back to Campeche on the island of Florianopolis. Saint-Exupery made numerous stops in Campeche between 1929 and 1931 because this former small fishing village on the Ilha de Santa Catarina historically served as a hub for stopovers and an important airlift to refuel and replenish supplies. He made many acquaintances and friends with the fishing people living there at that time. In Campeche, the pilot is remembered and commemorated by naming the main street of the village "Avenida Pequeno Principe" - Street of the Little Prince after his most famous novel. It is said that the name Campeche also comes from this period, in which Saint-Exupery had numerous stays. The region was known locally only as Campo e pesca (farmland and fishing), which translated into French means champ et peche. The name of this current vacation region was thus born. Campeche has developed from a small fishing village to a popular vacation destination and should be at the top of the list on a round trip of Brazil. During a Brazil vacation in Campeche, you can be enchanted by white dream beaches or lie down in the Pousada Vila Tamarindo in a hammock to relax. Campeche is also an ideal starting point for a day trip and if you are looking for some adventure, you can go paragliding for a day. Furthermore, you can reach the small island Ilha do Campeche by boat from Barra da Lagoa, Campeche, and Armacao and enjoy the idyllic landscape or discover rock paintings.

Whether the name Campeche is derived from Saint-Exupery is open to question, but nevertheless, the first international airport in southern Brazil was built in Campeche which can be considered a significant and important event for this region. Since 2007, the Espaco Zeperri has also existed in Campeche. Saint-Exupery's friends of the island called it simply Zeperri because its name was difficult to pronounce. In this exhibition, open all year round, the life and history of the French writer are told. In particular, the history during his time in Brazil, especially in Florianopolis, is dealt with. Besides, many different objects related to aviation and Saint-Exupery can be visited.

Florianopolis and the entire state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil are worth a visit on a Brazil trip and can also be discovered wonderfully on a rental car tour.

Sources: uol.com.br; vivonumailha.com; hoteiscostanorte.com.br; zeperri.org; wp.clicrbs.com.br