Locmariaquer
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This article is a rough translation of an article in fr. It may have been generated by a computer or by a translator with limited proficiency in English or fr. Feel free to enhance the translation. For reference, the original article may appear under "Français" in the "languages" list. |
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Commune of Locmariaquer |
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| Lokmaria-Kaer | ||
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| General view of the harbour | ||
| Location | ||
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| Coordinates | ||
| Administration | ||
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| Country | France | |
| Region | Bretagne | |
| Department | Morbihan | |
| Arrondissement | Lorient | |
| Canton | Auray | |
| Intercommunality | C.C. des Trois Rivières | |
| Mayor | Michel Jeannot (2008 – 2014) |
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| Statistics | ||
| Elevation | 0 m–19 m (avg. 16 m) |
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| Land area¹ | 10.99 km² | |
| Population² (1999) |
1,367 | |
| - Density | 124/km² (1999) | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| INSEE/Postal code | 56116/ 56740 | |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | ||
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | ||
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Locmariaquer (Breton: Lokmaria-Kaer) is a village and commune of western France, on the western shore of the Gulf of Morbihan, in the département of Morbihan, 8.5 mi (13.7 km) south of Auray by road.
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[edit] Crest
This crest has been created 30 years ago by the local artist Jean-Baptiste Corlobé. The arms deal: mid-party, a silver dolmen on sinople field and a gold sailboat on blue field ... all surmounted by a crown of Baron (Locmariaquer east in the former barony of Kaër) and bears the motto: "Kaër e mem bro" which can be interpreted in two ways: "The country of Kaër is my country" or "Joli is my country" (description of JM François Jacob in 1933). We must of course add to this description bearing the central ermine banner, recalling that we are at the heart of Brittany.
[edit] Geography
The municipality of Locmariaquer is located at the mouth of the west Gulf of Morbihan and has many beach onto the Atlantic Ocean and the bay Quiberon.
Towns bordering on the Canton of Auray: Saint-Philibert and Crac'h
[edit] Demographics
At the 1999 census, the village had a population of 1,367.
[edit] Economy
Locmariaquer has a small port, and oyster culture is carried on close to it.
[edit] History of oyster farming
The ancient Romans knew of the existence of deposits of natural edible oysters (or flat oyster) (Ostrea edulis, Linn.), but it was not until the late 19th century that oyster farming started. The municipality of Locmariaquer was then regarded as the cradle of the edible oyster. The first concessions in the Auray River were issued in 1882.
Three generations devoted themselves to build oyster parks on the shores of Locmariaquer: they had to remove the mud, replace it with sand, and demarcate locations.
Their job was to collect the spat (oyster larvae) collectors (tiles limed), to take off (détroquage) and to sow in parks for breeding with a duration of three years, during which there was a need to protect oysters against predators, algae, and storms.
After 1927, Locmariaquer specialized mainly in the reproduction and the half-rearing; Marennes, the Netherlands and Britain are customers. The oyster industry was very prosperous: 350 to 400 people worked in the construction of sites and parks. However, in 1973-1974, flat oysters in the Gulf of Morbihan were decimated or destroyed by two parasites. They were then replaced by cultivated oysters of Japanese origin, Crassostrea gigas).
Today, Locmariaquérois oyster farmers are cultivating Pacific oysters in the Gulf and River St Philibert. The crop and livestocks of the flat oyster are mainly in the Bay of Quiberon. Despite mechanization tests , the need of manpower is still high, both in culture itself and the pre-marketing operations (refining, sizing, etc.).
In 2008, thirty oyster farms exist around Locmariaquer. They occupy about fifty people full time, as well as seasonal workers in October to May. Sales to wholesalers, retailers or directly to consumers are handled individually by the farms.
[edit] Places-known and differentials
Bellevue, Coët Courzo, Coët Er Roué, Fetanstirec, Keranlay, Kercadoret, Kerdaniel, Keréré, Kergolvan, Kerguerec, Kerhelle, Kerhern, Kerhuiltan, Keriaval, Kerigan, Kerinis, Kerivaud, Kerjean, Kerlavarec, Kerlogonan, Kerlud, Kerouarch, Kerpenhir, Kerveresse, Lann Brick, Lann Y Nis, Le Brénéguy, Le Guilvin, Le Lézard, Le Moustoir, Le Nélud, Le Palud, Le Pont Er Lenn, Le Vinglé, Les Pierres Plates, Locquidy, Mané-Lud, Pointe de Kerpenhir, Pointe Er Hourel, Pointe Erlong, Pointe Er Ville, Pont Er Vugale, Rouick, Saint-Pierre Loperet, Scarpoche and Toul Y Niss.
 Overview of the Port |
 Gateway through the marshes « le Brénéguy » |
 The pink house said « le Brénéguy » |
[edit] Sights
Roman remains are to be seen, but the place owes its celebrity to the megalithic monuments in the vicinity, some of which are among the largest extant.
[edit] Religious Heritage
- Notre Dame de Kerdro
Of romanesque style, this churh was built between 1082 and 1120 by the monks of Quimperlé. Today, the remains of this building are the transept and the choir.
On the front one can read Hic Domus Dei (Here is the house of God). This section presents external walls of an archaic stonework (intercalation of Roman cubic stone, bricks and scattered bricks of Roman origin).
The South Gate is protected by an advanced porch whose wooden ceiling was abolished in 1988, showing a cartouche bearing the words Haec Porta Coelli (Here is the door of heaven). Near the southern entrance, in the wall is included a superb granite baptismal font, decorated with leaves and grapes, going back to the 16th century.
Inside, the greatest interest of the church resides in its Romanesque section: transept and apse were included in supplementary inventory of Monument historique by decree of 24 April 1925. In 1960, The twelve windows that provide lighting have been equipped with modern stained glass, works of Rault, glassmaker in Rennes. The motifs of the seven windows of the nave and transept are abstract, the five windows of the choir presenting figurative and concrete images:
- boat and fish (fishing),
- wheat (agriculture),
- anagram NDK (for Notre Dame de Kerdro),
- bunch of tiles (oyster farming),
- dolmen and menhirs (megaliths).
These windows are the admiration of most visitors for their great sobriety and their remarkable brightness.
- Chapelle du Moustoir
Rebuild in 1883, the chapel is dedicated to Saint Gildas, but also to the Father Claude Philippe, a non-juring priest, who died in 1796 and was buried in this place. The chapel is located north of the town; it was fully restored in recent years by an association that continues to ensure maintenance. Each year, on the last Sunday of June, a Pardon and a Fest Noz are organized.
- Chapelle Saint-Pierre-Loperec
Built in 1772, this chapel was built to celebrate Mass and organize a pardon for the rest of the castaways, many at the time. It can be visited in summer and during the traditional annual forgiveness on the first Sunday of July.
- Chapelle Saint-Michel
The chapel was built in 1749 by Christophe Paul DE ROBIEN, Baron de Kaër which previously acquired the former chapel built on Gallo-Roman ruins. In digging foundations of the present chapel were found quantity of medals at the effigy of Caesar and other objects. Today, the chapel looks like a rectangular building 14 metres long and 7 meters wide. On its portal, is a decoration, we noticed three lily flowers in relief and a stone bearing the date 1813 and a patch hammered that if you could read represent the arms of ROBIEN. The association "friends of the chapel" has resulted idea of putting in place all the months of July and August of various exhibitions and artists at the same time highlighting the work of restoration carried out in 1986.
- Statue of the Virgin Notre-Dame de Kerdro
Built on the rocks at the edge of Kerpenhir in 1962: 2.70 m high, it was carved in granite by Jules-Charles Le Bozec in 1946 but has spent 16 years in the church before to be built. It replaces a statue erected in 1883 and destroyed by the Germans at the same time that the fort during the occupation ..
[edit] Civil Heritage
Land of legends and mysteries, Locmariaquer home to a remarkable concentration of megaliths. Just like Carnac, the city holds a unique and rare monuments dating from the Neolithic period. Here men have left a legacy prestigious burial remains announcing the era of great pyramids throughout the world. The Great Menhir of Er Grah, the Marchand Table, the mounds of Er Grah and many other dress of eternity landscapes of Locmariaquer.
- Broken Menhir of Er Grah, the largest menhir in the world, at nearly 20m, is currently broken into 4 pieces.
- Cairn from la Table des Marchand
- Tumulus d'Er Grah
- Les Pierres Plates (the flat stones), cubit long driveway covered nearly 25 m..
- House and mounds of Mané Retual
- Dolmen Kercadoret
- Dolmen Kerveresse
- Dolmen Mané Lud
 Grand Menhir |
 Grand Menhir |
 Grand Menhir |
 Grand Menhir + Table des Marchand |
 Table des Marchand |
 Dolmen du Mané Lud |
 Dolmen du Mané Retual |
 Dolmen de Kercadoret |
 Les Pierres Plates |
 Les Pierres Plates |
 Les Pierres Plates |
 Les Pierres Plates |
[edit] Economy
Locmariaquer has a small port, and oyster culture is carried on close to it.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- Heritage department of the municipality of Locmariaquer
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- Official site (French)
- French Ministry of Culture list for Locmariaquer (French)
- Map of Locmariaquer on Michelin (English)
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