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The port of Lorient lies at the mouths of the rivers Scorff and Blavet in Brittany's Morbihan department on the region's Atlantic coast. It is the most densly populated town in the department. The history of Lorient is very much the history of its port which grew in importance in the seventeenth century due to its use my merchants trading with India. In 1664, the French East India Company established the ship yards in Lorient (the French l'Orient meaning the Orient) which the city then grew around.
Being such an important trade route and the former home of the French navy, made Lorient, its port in particular, a target for France's enemies an would be invaders. The British attacked the port in 1746 but did not succeed in destroying it or French shipping. The Allied forces of the Second World War bombed Lorient heavily in unsuccessful attempts to destroy submarine or u-boat base and submarine pens, at Keroman, built by the occupying German army. The allies made it their mission to destroy the port to stifle the transport of supplies to the area.
Like the city of Brest, much of the architecture of Lorient is that of the mid to late twentieth century. The miltary piers and constructions have been dismantled and the port is, these days, dedicated largely to the fishing and tourist industry. The dock area at Kergroise accommodates sizeable passenger ships.
The heart of Lorient is the harbour area which really comes to life in the evenings. You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to bars, bistros, restaurants and cafes.
Things To Do
Churches and Religious Buildings
The church of Quiberon is dedicated to the sea. Its spire was designed to be visible to sailors far from land. Internally visitors will spot many nautical details.
The Church of Notre-Dame-de-Victoire is said by many to be more impressive inside than out. The internal space of this very modern church is lit by distinctive yellow and black windows and it is renowned for its beautifully drafted etchings depicting the Stations of the Cross.
Historic Buildings and Twentieth Century Classics
The Maison de l'Imprimeur is a large section of what was, before the bombing of the Second World War, an extensive complex dating back to the eighteenth century. The Hotel Gabriel is a painstaking modern reconstruction of the eighteenth century building that once stood on its site.
The submarine base, built by the occupying forces of the German army is a major tourist attraction of Lorient. In actual fact, the base itself was extended by the Franch ministry of defense as a nuclear base but was decommissioned. I now houses a naval museum with a real French Navy submarine as one of its exhibits.
The chamber of commerce, built in the 1920s escaped much of the Second World War bombing. It is a fine example of a building in the Art Deco style.
Some residential areas of Lorient are fine examples of quintessential mid century style. Visit the banana, a residential block that typifies the design sensibilities of the 1950s or a prime example of 1960s chic, the Echasses apartments. Municipal attractions include the Grand Theatre and its fountain and the Cit? de la Voile
Festivals
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient, a celebration of all things Celtic, has been held in Lorient each Summer since 1971. In recent years it has attracted in excess of seven hundred thousand revellers.
Cruise Around the Harbour
Harbour cruises operate from the Spring to early Autumn. They are a great way to take in the city and learn about the town's sometimes bloody history and extraordinary views of the submarine base.
Sailing
Much of the socialising and community activities in Lorient centre around sailing and its various sailing clubs and associations. There are many businesses offering the hire of small yachts and sea-going vessels. There is also a sailing school and yacht club in Lorient. If you are more of an armchair sailor, then the there are regattas and races galore held in sailing mad Lorient. These include in port races as well as being tie starting line for ocean going vessels leave the harbour for international ocean races.
Golf
Golf de Val Qu?ven
Lieu dit Kerruisseau
Qu?ven
Phone: 02 97 05 17 96
Golf Ploemeur Oc?an
56270 Ploemeur
Lorient
Phone: 02 97 32 81 82
Nearby golf courses
Golf de Rhuys
Domaine de Kerver
F-56730 St Gildas-de-Rhuys
Phone: 02 97 45 30 09
Golf de Baden
Kernic, F-56870 Baden
Phone: 02 97 57 18 96
Golf de Saint-Laurent, Auray
Ploemel
F-56400 Auray
Phone: 02 97 56 85 18
Enjoy your visit to Lorient, Brittany.
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