Plogonnec

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Plogonnec
Plogoneg
Town hall or Mairie
Town hall or Mairie
Coat of arms of Plogonnec
Coat of arms
Plogonnec is located in France
Plogonnec
Plogonnec
Coordinates: 48°04′43″N 4°11′35″W / 48.0786°N 4.1931°W / 48.0786; -4.1931Coordinates: 48°04′43″N 4°11′35″W / 48.0786°N 4.1931°W / 48.0786; -4.1931
Country France
Region Brittany
Department Finistère
Arrondissement Quimper
Canton Douarnenez
Intercommunality Quimper-Communauté
Government
 • Mayor (2014–2020) Christian Kéribin
Area1 54.14 km2 (20.90 sq mi)
Population (2008)2 3,036
 • Density 56/km2 (150/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 29169 / 29180
Elevation 12–286 m (39–938 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.

Plogonnec (Breton: Plogoneg) is a commune and small town in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France. It is about 13 km (8 mi) north west of Quimper and 10 km (6 mi) east of Douarnenez. The town is twinned with Llandysul in Wales.

Geography[edit]

Church of Saint-Thurien
Sculptured bell tower of Chapel of Saint-Théleau

The town is situated in a hilly area about 10 km (6 mi) inland from the fishing port of Douarnenez. Quimper is about 15 km (9 mi) to the south east and the N165 Brest to Nantes trunk road lies between Plogonnec and Quimper. The lowest part of the commune is the River Névet, the town is at an altitude of 130 m (427 ft) and the commune rises in the north to an altitude of 286 m (938 ft) on the slopes of the Montagne de Locronan. Panoramic views to the coast are available from the Montagne du Prieuré. The total area of the commune is around 3,200 ha (7,900 acres). Much of the land is agricultural but there are several protected areas of woodland. To the west is the extensive Bois du Nevet which offers opportunities for hiking.[1]

History[edit]

The Seigneures of Névet headed a clan and were one of the oldest and most influential families in the Cornouaille. Their lands included both the west and east parts of the commune but the central part was under the control of the Princes of the House of Rohan under the direct authority of the Bishops of Cornouaille.[1] At the end of the sixteenth century, the French Wars of Religion devastated the parish which was also affected by the Revolt of the Bonnets Rouges in 1675.

Notable buildings[edit]

Besides the Church of Saint-Thurien de Plogonnec there are a number of chapels dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Particularly notable is the Chapel of Saint Théleau the evangelist which is known for its intricate sculptures and is classed as an ancient monument.[2] There are also secular historic buildings in the town including mansions, wash houses, mills and farmhouses. Facilities include primary schools, kindergartens, shops, bars and restaurants.[1]

Twinning[edit]

Plogonnec is twinned with Llandysul in West Wales, a small town in a similar rural area.[3] The purpose of the twinning is to promote cultural and commercial ties between the two. Members of the communities have exchanged hospitality and have united for various events in both France and Wales.[3]

Population[edit]

The population of Plogonnec has varied over the last two centuries between around 2000 inhabitants to its present level of just over 3000, with the highest level of over 3300 being near the beginning of the 20th century. Inhabitants of Plogonnec are called in French Plogonnecois or Plogonistes.[4]

Historical population of Plogonnec
Year 1793 1800 1806 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861
Population 2175 2200 2036 2305 2570 2687 2832 2848
Year 1872 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1946
Population 2844 2919 3135 3272 3365 3096 2903 2720
Year 1954 1962 1968 1975 1982 1990 1999 2008
Population 2407 2299 2270 2708 2888 3073 2806 3036

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  • This article incorporates material from the French Wikipedia
  1. ^ a b c "Bienvenue à Plogonnec" (in French). Mairie de Plogonnec. Retrieved 2013-01-17. 
  2. ^ "Chapelle, sacristie et calvaire de Saint-Thélau". Monuments historiques (in French). Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication. 2005-07-21. Retrieved 2013-01-17. 
  3. ^ a b "The genesis of the twinning". Twinning Societies of Llandysul a’r Fro-Plogoneg. Retrieved 2013-01-17. 
  4. ^ National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies Retrieved 2012-01-17

External links[edit]