Le Faouët, Morbihan
Le Faouët Ar Faoued | ||
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Covered market | ||
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Le Faouët | ||
Location within Brittany region Le Faouët | ||
Coordinates: 48°02′02″N 3°29′25″W / 48.0339°N 3.4903°WCoordinates: 48°02′02″N 3°29′25″W / 48.0339°N 3.4903°W | ||
Country | France | |
Region | Brittany | |
Department | Morbihan | |
Arrondissement | Pontivy | |
Canton | Le Faouët | |
Intercommunality | Pays du Roi Morvan | |
Government | ||
• Mayor (2008—2014) | André Le Corre | |
Area1 | 34.03 km2 (13.14 sq mi) | |
Population (1999)2 | 2,806 | |
• Density | 82/km2 (210/sq mi) | |
INSEE/Postal code | 56057 / 56320 | |
Elevation |
53–202 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. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
Le Faouët (Breton: Ar Faoued) is a commune in the Morbihan department of the region of Brittany in north-western France.
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.
Administration
Le Faouët/Ar Faoued is the seat of the Canton du Faouët. The other communes making up the canton are Berné, Guiscriff, Lanvénégen, Meslan, and Priziac.
Demographics
The population at recent censuses was:
- 1962: 3,039
- 1968: 3,048
- 1975: 3,149
- 1982: 3,177
- 1990: 2,869
- 1999: 2,806
Inhabitants of Le Faouët are called Faouëtais.
Breton language
In 2008, 14,24% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.[1]
Tourist attractions
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.
See also
- Communes of the Morbihan department
- List of the works of the Maître de Lanrivain
- Henri Alphonse Barnoin
References
- ↑ (French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Le Faouët, Morbihan. |
- Le Faouët at the IGN
- Le Faouët at the INSEE
- French Ministry of Culture list for Le Faouët (French)
- Map of Le Faouët on Michelin (English)