Plogonnec

Plogonnec Plogoneg
Town hall or Mairie Town hall or Mairie
Coat of arms of Plogonnec Coat of arms
Plogonnec
Location within Brittany region Plogonnec
Coordinates:
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

File:Plogonnec (29) Église 03.JPG

Church of Saint-Thurien

File:Plogonnec (29) Chapelle Saint-Théleau 09.JPG

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.

History

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. 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

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. 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.

Twinning

Plogonnec is twinned with Llandysul in West Wales, a small town in a similar rural area. 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.

Population

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.

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

• Communes of the Finistère department
• Roland Doré sculptor

References

• This article incorporates material from the French Wikipedia

External links

• Official website (French)
• French Ministry of Culture list for Plogonnec (French)