Ploërmel
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Ploërmel |
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 Ploërmel
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Location within Brittany region
Ploërmel
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Brittany |
| Department | Morbihan |
| Arrondissement | Vannes |
| Canton | Ploërmel |
| Intercommunality | Ploërmel |
| Mayor | Béatrice Le Marre (2008–2014) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 19–106 m (62–348 ft) (avg. 75 m or 246 ft) |
| Land area1 | 50.81 km2 (19.62 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 7,525 (1999) |
| - Density | 148 /km2 (380 /sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 56165/ 56800 |
| 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. | |
Coordinates: 47°55′57″N 2°23′46″W / 47.9325°N 2.3961°W
Ploërmel (Breton: Ploermael, Gallo language : Pieurmè) is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France.
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[edit] Character of the town
It is a growing and developing community with a thriving economy and a lively atmosphere. The town is modern rather than romantically mediaeval, but it is clean and attractive and offers a great lifestyle with all amenities and easy access to most parts of Brittany. Ploërmel is set on the edge of the magical Paimpont forest, which legend proclaims is the home of Merlin the Magician, amongst other fantastical characters.[1]
[edit] History
In 1351, during the Breton War of Succession (part of the Hundred Years' War), two groups of approximately 30 English and French knights staged a tournament near the gates of town, to show their prowess and make money by capturing opponents. The Franco-Breton team eventually won after killing or capturing the Anglo-Breton force. This was later known as the Combat of the Thirty.
In 1944, 10 Resistance fighters were killed by German soldiers. 31 inhabitants were killed, 125 wounded, by the American air raid on the railway station on June 12, during the Normandy landings.
On 10 December 2006, the city unveiled an 8.75 m tall statue of Pope John Paul II. It was a gift by Russo-Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and has sparked some controversy over the separation of Church and State.[2]
The town gave its name to a monastic order, the Brothers of Ploërmel.[3] The Doctor Who actor Tom Baker was a monk of the order for a while in Jersey.[4]
In 2008 from May 24 till 1 June 2008 the City of Ploërmel became the first City in France to host the International Federation of Carnival Cities Congress.[5] The Ploërmel Carnival is the largest in central Brittany and is held on Saturdays at the beginning and end of May.
[edit] Demographics
Inhabitants of Ploërmel are called Ploërmelais.
[edit] Breton language
In 2008, just 2.62% of the town's children received either Breton-medium or bilingual education.[6]
[edit] Twin towns
Cobh, Republic of Ireland- Apensen, Germany
- Dittmannsdorf/ Witzschdorf, Germany
Gorseinon & Llwchwr, Wales
Kolbuszowa, Poland
[edit] Cultural references
Ploërmel was one of the favourite places of the South African-born British female composer, Priaulx Rainier. She evoked the place in her work for winds and percussion, Ploërmel (1973).
[edit] References
- ^ FrenchPropertiyLinks
- ^ BBC News
- ^ http://www.zenit.org/english/archive/0004/ZE000407.html
- ^ Tom Baker mini-biography
- ^ Carnival Cities
- ^ (French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
- Mayors of Morbihan Association (French)
- www.apensen.de/images/Ploermel/Startseite.html / Apensen, Deutschland ( Niedersachsen )
- http://dittmannsdorf.com/partnerschaften.phtml / Dittmannsdorf/ Witzschdorf, Gemeinde Gornau, Deutschland ( Sachsen )
- INSEE commune file
[edit] External links
- Official website (French)
- French Ministry of Culture list for Ploërmel (French)
- Map of Ploërmel on Michelin (English)
- Guide to Ploërmel and Property in the Area (English)
