Ploërmel (French: [ploɛʁmɛl] ; Breton: Ploermael; Gallo language: Pieurmè) is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany, in north-western France.[3] On 1 January 2019, the former commune Monterrein was merged into Ploërmel.[4]

Ploërmel
Ploermael (Breton)
The town hall in Ploërmel
The town hall in Ploërmel
Flag of Ploërmel
Coat of arms of Ploërmel
Location of Ploërmel
Map
Ploërmel is located in France
Ploërmel
Ploërmel
Ploërmel is located in Brittany
Ploërmel
Ploërmel
Coordinates: 47°55′57″N 2°23′46″W / 47.9325°N 2.3961°W / 47.9325; -2.3961
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentMorbihan
ArrondissementPontivy
CantonPloërmel
IntercommunalityPloërmel
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Patrick Le Diffon[1]
Area
1
58.44 km2 (22.56 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
9,879
 • Density170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
56165 /56800
Elevation19–126 m (62–413 ft)
(avg. 75 m or 246 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Church Saint-Armel

Character of the town

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The town is both modern and medieval, and has easy access to most parts of Brittany. Ploërmel is set on the edge of the Brocéliande forest, which legend proclaims is the home of Merlin the Magician, amongst other fantastical characters.[5]

History

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In 1351, during the Breton War of Succession (part of the Hundred Years' War), the town was occupied by the Montfortist faction, supported by the English. The rival French-supported Blois faction controlled nearby Josselin. Two groups of approximately 30 English and French knights staged a tournament at a spot between the two towns, to show their prowess and make money by capturing opponents. [citation needed]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 12 June, during the Normandy landings.[6]

On 10 December 2006, the city unveiled a statue of Pope John Paul II. It was a gift by Russo-Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and has sparked controversy over the separation of Church and State.[7]

The town gave its name to a monastic order, the Brothers of Ploërmel.[8] The Doctor Who actor Tom Baker was a monk of the order for a while in Jersey.[9]

In 2008 from 24 May till 1 June 2008 the City of Ploërmel became the first City in France to host the International Federation of Carnival Cities Congress.[10] The Ploërmel Carnival is the largest in central Brittany and is held on Saturdays at the beginning and end of May.

Population

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Inhabitants of Ploërmel are called Ploërmelais. The population data given in the table below refer to the commune in its geography as of January 2020.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 6,235—    
1975 6,584+0.78%
1982 6,896+0.66%
1990 7,294+0.70%
1999 7,833+0.80%
2007 9,016+1.77%
2012 9,771+1.62%
2017 9,837+0.13%
Source: INSEE[11]

Breton language

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In 2008, just 2.62% of the town's children received either Breton-medium or bilingual education.[12]

Twin towns

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Cultural references

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An 1859 French opéra comique with music by Giacomo Meyerbeer, Le pardon de Ploërmel (The Pardon of Ploërmel), was about an annual procession in Ploermel.

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).

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Maires du Morbihan" (PDF). Préfecture du Morbihan. 7 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ INSEE commune file
  4. ^ Arrêté préfectoral 21 December 2018 (in French)
  5. ^ FrenchPropertiyLinks
  6. ^ memorials in town
  7. ^ BBC News
  8. ^ "Zenit News Agency - the World Seen from Rome". Archived from the original on 8 January 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2007.
  9. ^ "Tom Baker mini-biography". Archived from the original on 22 December 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2007.
  10. ^ Carnival Cities
  11. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  12. ^ (in French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
  13. ^ a b c d e Échanges et partenariats internationaux, Ville de Ploërmel
  14. ^ Partnerschaften der Samtgemeinde Apensen, Samtgemeinde Apensen
  15. ^ Unsere Partnerstädte, Gemeinde Gornau
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