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.

For other places with the same name, see Le Faouët (disambiguation).
Le Faouët

Ar Faoued
Commune
Covered market
Coat of arms
Location of Le Faouët
Le Faouët
Le Faouët
Coordinates: 48°02′02″N 3°29′25″W
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentMorbihan
ArrondissementPontivy
CantonGourin
IntercommunalityPays du Roi Morvan
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Christian Faivret[1]
Area
1
34.03 km2 (13.14 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[2]
2,803
 • 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

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.[3]

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
  1. "Maires du Morbihan" (PDF). Préfecture du Morbihan. 7 July 2020.
  2. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  3. (in French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue


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