It is practiced mainly in Brittany, but also in some neighboring regions, in particular through international meetings organized by the FILC (Fédération Internationale des Luttes Celtiques), for example in Cornwall, in Scotland and a Gouren skol has opened in New Orleans, in the United States.

Thus, when Briton immigrants settled massively in Armorica in the 4th century, it is probable that they brought with them martial techniques which, added to local ones, gradually led to the gouren that arose in the late Middle Ages.

Its organization was generally subject to seigniorial authorizations and it preserved from its noble origins the aiguillettes, gloves and doublets, trophies which were offered to victors until the French Revolution.

However, the population of rural parishes also continued to organize "local struggles", in an almost ritualistic manner, at the time of chapel pardons.

“On the departmental road to Rosporden, raising a flood of dust, a fairly large number of peasants go to the party.

(...) The jury, made up of veterans of the country, experts in the art of wrestling, and a few main characters, headed by the district deputy, a large local landowner, comes to place themselves alongside the prize that he must distribute.

The adversaries are often of equal strength, the fight lasts a long time, the shirts are subjected to a severe test, despite the solidity of the large peasant canvas from which they are made.

[citation needed] In 1930, in order to revitalize the practice of gouren, Charles Cottonec of Quimperlé (Finistère) and his team breathed new life into the sport by codifying it : renovating rules, adding age and weight categories as well as limiting time for bouts.

This oath is part of the ritual practices linked to the gouren, such as the hug and the dornad (handshake), which form the accord de loyauté (agreement of loyalty).

It has its own federation while maintaining a practice linked to regional culture, clubs (skoliou), and its own European Championships which take place every two years.

Gouren has also kept its cultural ties, and thus, in summer especially, displays of the martial art can be seen during numerous open-air competitions, on sawdust, sometimes with the use of the old challenge system, in parties and festivals, alongside Breton music and dance.

The gourener Mathieu Le Dour (Skol Ar Faoued) marked his era by winning numerous tournaments by challenge, known as "mod kozh" (old fashion).

A fault can be an unjustified aggressive behavior (verbal or physical), an attitude dangerous to the opponent or a refusal to fight by remaining in a defensive position for an exaggerated duration.

The main aim of the FILC is not to organize international championships, but to help its member federations develop their styles, and to encourage sporting and friendly exchanges between European wrestlers.