Le Faouët, Morbihan

Le Faouët ([lə fawɛt]; Breton: Ar Faoued) is a commune in the Morbihan department of the region of Brittany in north-western France.

Le Faouët
Ar Faoued
Covered market
Location of Le Faouët
Le Faouët
Le Faouët
Coordinates: 48°02′02″N 3°29′25″W
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentMorbihan
ArrondissementPontivy
CantonGourin
IntercommunalityRoi Morvan Communauté
Government
  Mayor (20202026) Christian Faivret[1]
Area
1
34.03 km2 (13.14 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2019)[2]
2,793
  Density82/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
56057 /56320
Elevation53–202 m (174–663 ft)
(avg. 152 m or 499 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The Breton language name of the commune means Beech forest. The sixteenth century timber market halls are a noted feature of the town and two medieval chapels lies within the boundaries of the commune.

Geography

Le Faouët/Ar Faoued lies in the historical region of Cornouaille. Traditionally a Breton-speaking area, the French language became commonly used from the 1950s. The town lies in the valley of the river Ellé.

History

An infamous historical resident of Le Faouët is Marion du Faouët, the head of an eighteenth-century group of bandits who became a local bogeyman after her death.

Administration

Until 2015, Le Faouët/Ar Faoued was the seat of the canton of Le Faouët, that consisted of 6 communes.[3] Since the 2015 canton reorganisation, it is part of the canton of Gourin.[4]

Demographics

Inhabitants of Le Faouët are called Faouëtais.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 3,048    
1975 3,149+0.47%
1982 3,177+0.13%
1990 2,869−1.27%
1999 2,806−0.25%
2007 2,901+0.42%
2012 2,821−0.56%
2017 2,803−0.13%
Source: INSEE[5]

Breton language

In 2008, 14,24% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.[6]

Tourist attractions

Chapel of Saint Barbara.

The sixteenth century halles, or covered market, remain in use and are a rare surviving example of a large timber structure from the period.

The chapel of Saint Barbara is sited on a hilltop overlooking the Ellé. The fifteenth century chapel of Saint Fiacre was recently restored. The polychrome timber interior was highly regarded, and earned its creator, Olivier Le Loergan, a title of nobility. The stained glass is also noteworthy. Parts of the interior have suffered considerable damage from insects.

View of Chapelle Sainte Barbe Le Fouët

See also

References


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