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Three centuries of history
Lorient today
A maritime town
A central town
Living together
Youth
Health and social affairs
Culture
Sports and leisure
Parks, walkways and gardens
The greater Lorient area
A town open to the world
editorial
discover lorient
In the wake of the
French East India
Company, Lorient
has kept its heading:
resolutely forwards.
For three centuries,
the winds of this particular adventure have
continued to blow. The
town is audaciously
changing, offering an
increasingly attractive image without losing anything of
its maritime identity. With a gift for innovation, Lorient
draws the strength for its port and naval activities from
the ocean, breathing new life into its submarine base with
the sailing sector, and offshore ocean racing.
Lorient is playing the modern card, inventing a new art
of town living. With sensitively restored buildings, a new
coherent urban landscape and attractive amenities,
Lorient has found harmony.
Testimony to this success is the precious quality of life
here, to which everyone can contribute: local hospitality,
intergenerational solidarity, cooperation with the rest
of the world. This is the very essence of the identity of
Lorient. The pleasure of living together here is expressed
through the land or the sea; sports amateurs and professionals come here for energy, encouraged by a lively
network of associations.
This effervescence can also be felt in the wide variety
of artistic and cultural activities. Concerts, theatres,
exhibitions; creativity can be found everywhere, culminating in the summer with the unmissable and vibrant
Interceltic Festival. A town of art and history, Lorient
takes care of its treasure: culture for everyone is the key.
With the same force of conviction, Lorient is preparing its
future: sustainable living, ecomobility, energy control, a
place for nature in the town. Lorient enters this century
with its future generations in mind, and a healthy respect
for natural resources and human capital.
With a decidedly regional vocation, the town is taking
on its full importance, without losing any of its lovable,
dynamic and hospitable charm, open to the sea. In sum, a
whole set of invitations. It’s up to you to grab one!
Norbert Métairie
Mayor of Lorient
President of Cap L’Orient
General Councillor of the Morbihan department
3
LORIENT /
the mayor
and the town council
The mayor
> Mr Norbert Métairie
Deputy mayor of Lorient, in charge of town planning from
1989 to 1995. First deputy mayor of Lorient, in charge
of finance and town planning, from 1995 to 1998. Mayor
of Lorient since 1998, re-elected in 2001 and in 2008.
President of the council of the borough of Lorient since
2004 and general councillor of the Morbihan department
(canton of Lorient Centre) since 2001.
Appointments to see the mayor can be made by phoning
+33 (0)2 97 02 22 00
Deputies
> Mr Yves Lenormand (1st deputy), Finance – Town policy
- Prevention and public safety
Friday morning Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 44
> Mrs Marie-Christine Detraz, Development,
Town planning - Housing – Real estate - Management of
public parks and gardens
Tuesday afternoon Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 44
> Mr Olivier Le Lamer, Transport - Roads - Traffic
Parking – Street cleaning – Digital communications
infrastructure and public electronic services
Saturday morning Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 85
> Mrs Emmanuelle Williamson, Culture and heritage
Thursday morning, 10 am to 12 am Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02
22 90
> Mr Daniel Gilles, Sports and leisure policy
Tuesday morning Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 12
> Mrs Dominique Cany, Social affairs – Elderly, disabled
and accessibility
Thursday morning Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 44
> Mr Jean-Paul Aucher, Environment - Energy – Natural
and industrial risks - Agenda 21 – Sustainable building
management - Sanitation
Tuesday morning, 10 am to 12 am Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 90
> Mrs Corinne Le Gall, Social housing
Wednesday afternoon Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 04
> Mr Jean-Paul Solaro, Economic development and
professional training – Human resources International relations and co-development
Friday afternoon Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 90
4
> Mrs Claudine Le Goff, Early childhood and parenting
Thursday afternoon, 2 pm to 4 pm Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02
23 90
> Mr Yann Syz, Health – Addiction prevention
- Hygiene and public health – School catering
Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning, by
appointment
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 18
> Mrs Danièle Garnier, Education and schooling General administration (funeral services, civil registry,
elections, public land use)
Wednesday morning Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 90
> Mr Laurent Tonnerre, Associations and citizenship Local democracy – Social centres
Wednesday afternoon Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 85
Town councillors
> Mr Chafik Hbila, Youth affairs and student life
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 90
> Mr Robert Ollier, Safety of establishments open to the
public and public land occupation
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 44
> Mr Loïc Champagnat, Twinned towns
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 21 11
> Mrs Nolwenn Delalée-Mevel, Leisure and sporting
events
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 21 11
> Mr Stéphane Bigata, Sustainable building management
Mondays 9.30 – 10.30 am Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 90
> Mr Damien Girard, Social economy and solidarity
Friday afternoon 2 – 4 pm Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 23 90
> Mrs Annick Lecuyer, Partnerships with town and local
shop-owners’ associations
Tuesday afternoon 3 – 5 pm: by appointment.
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 30
s
rie
u
hT ree cent
y
tor
s
i
of h
In December 2005, Lorient was awarded the prestigious
title of Town of art and history. Uniquely for Lorient: all
the periods of its history and the whole 1 700 hectares of
its territory are covered by the award. This is the first
modern town to have obtained the award in these conditions. It is recognition of Lorient’s heritage but also of
the town’s efforts to raise its population’s awareness of
architecture and town planning.
5
LORIENT / t hree centuries
of history
Creation
In 1664, Louis XIV authorised the creation of the French
East India Company to develop trade with Asia and in
particular the profitable spice trade. In 1666, the head
office of the India Company set up in Port-Louis, at the
confluence of the river Scorff and the river Blavet. The
history of Lorient really starts with the creation of the Le
Faouëdic shipyards. Two frigates and a 1 000-tonne ship,
the Soleil d’Orient, left these new yards that attracted
farmers and workers. The Soleil d’Orient, more commonly
known as L’Orient, An Oriant in Breton, gave its name to
the burgeoning town. Spices, teas, fabrics, silk, lacquers
and porcelain from the “Indias” made the fortune of the
India Company and the shipbuilders. In 1719, the financier John Law founded a new India company, which, due
to its monopoly on trade between mainland France and
Africa, colonies in Louisiana and the Antilles, the Indian
Ocean and the China Sea, ensured an era of great prosperity in Lorient until 1769. The town became the exclusive
6
The bay of Lorient in the 18th century
market for colonial products and the nerve centre of ship
building. The loss of certain colonies however, led to the
bankruptcy of the India Company (1769). The shipyards
were converted into an arsenal in 1770. Lorient became
a military port in 1791. The “Port of the Indias” chapter
had come to a close.
In the 19th century, the French Navy were facing the
technological challenges of steam engines, propellers, iron and armour plating. Thanks to its arsenal, the
Navy realised a great many “firsts”: 1st steam-powered
ship, 1st propeller-driven frigate, 1st ironclad battleship
by Dupuy de Lôme… From 1880 to 1930, bustling trade
and then fishing led to the creation of considerable port
infrastructures. The Keroman fishing port was inaugurated in 1927. Lorient was soon to become France’s 2 nd
fishing port.
The Renaissance
At the eve of the Second World War, Lorient was a
military port with an arsenal at the forefront of naval
techniques, an active trading port and a burgeoning
fishing port. In one century, the population had doubled:
46 000 inhabitants were counted in 1939. The Second
World War brought considerable upset to this promising
young town. Lorient was on the front line, mainly due
to its gigantic and robust submarine base. The Germans
occupied the town and implemented their strategy to
win the battle of the Atlantic. The largest military edifice
in Europe was built at Keroman as an operational base
for German U-boats. In 1943, deadly attacks by German
submarines forced Winston Churchill to order massive
bombing of the sites sheltering the submarines, including
Lorient, “with the greatest possible force”. Following the
1945 Armistice, 85% of the town of Lorient lay in ruins.
Georges Tourry was charged with rebuilding the town
with the help of around fifty architects. Speed was of the
essence to rehouse the population. However, the end of
one era for Lorient marked the start of a new period. Over
The ”Banane” building symbolizing the renaissance
1945: the town is 85% destroyed
the years, its historical sites have been renovated and
rebuilt. 60 years following the destruction of the town,
Lorient has risen from its ashes and resumed its purposeful march towards the future. It has even received the
award Town of art and history.
7
Time line
C14
1941
Installation of the air-raid shelter at place
Alsace-Lorraine
1942
First American bombardments
1943
Destruction of the town and order to evacuate
the civilian population (January and February)
Castle of Tréfaven
1486
Construction of the Le Faouëdic mill
1539
Saint-Christophe's chapel
1945
Surrender and liberation of the Lorient
pocket and visit by General de Gaulle
1640
The Madagascar company sets up
in Port-Louis (around 1640)
1949
Laying of the first stone for reconstruction of the
town centre – The Legion of Honour is awarded to
the town of Lorient
1664
Creation of the India Company
by Louis XIV
1961
Opening of the School of Beaux-Arts
1666
31 August – Purchase of the Le Faouëdic lands
by Denis Langlois, director of the India Company
1962
Construction of the Halles de Merville market
1970
Creation of the Lorient Interceltic Festival
1667
Start of construction of a galiot
and two frigates, including the Soleil d’Orient
1972
Visit by Madame de Sévigné received
by the director of the Claude Ceberet
company at the Hôtel Gabriel
Inauguration of the Bretagne
Occidentale university
1977
The French East India Company museum
opens in Port-Louis
1709
Louis XIV orders the fortification
of l’Orient
1979
1st edition of the Lorient – Bermuda – Lorient
transatlantic yacht race
1785
Third India Company, known as Calonne
1980
1st pedestrian zone
1794
Decree definitively liquidating
the French East India Company
1990
The borough now includes 10 communes
(150 338 inhabitants)
1866
Launch of the frigate Isère which carried
the Statue of Liberty from Rouen to
New-York
1991
Start of the campaign to colour the façades
1997
Closure of the Keroman submarine base
1998
Death of Eric Tabarly, the quai de l’Estacade
is named after him
1999
Sinking of the Erika
1689
1889
Opening of the municipal fish market
1891
Creation of the New Town
1907
Demolition of the Porte du Morbihan
Inauguration of the Bodélio hospital
2003
Inauguration of the Grand Théâtre
1909
Yves Le Prieur from Lorient is the first man
to take off from Japanese soil in a glider
2005
Laying of the first stone of the future Scorff hospital
2006
1927
Inauguration of the fishing port
Creation of Lorient Football Club
Signature of the Town of Art & History
convention – Opening of the Moustoir
aquatic centre to the public
1940
Construction of the Lann-Bihoué aerodrome German occupation and visit by Admiral
Dönitz – First major daylight bombardment by
the Royal Air Force – Start of construction of
the submarine base – Sinking of the trawler La
Tanche in June
2007
Inauguration of the town bridge: the Pont des Indes
2009
Opening of the Eric Tabarly sailing museum
and the Nayel shopping centre
2010
Inauguration of the south stand
of the Moustoir stadium
8
Lorient today
9
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ariti
Am
10
There are more than ten kilometres of coastline
in the town of Lorient. A privileged geographic
location that defines the identity of the town. The
town never stops. Day and night, various centres
of activity come to life, one by one. In the middle
of the night, the fishermen land their catches on
the quays at Lorient-Keroman. Then, the fresh
products are sold at the fish market and sent
all around France. A few feet away, the port of
Kergroise unloads the Panamax super tankers
and other cargo vessels. All day until night falls,
pleasure boats, passenger ships and yachts crisscross the bay... Lorient never ceases to surprise
with the variety of its activities and very different
atmospheres.
Lorient proudly displays a rich maritime heritage. This
heritage has always been able to adapt. The old submarine base has been converted into an economic centre
devoted to sailing and offshore racing. Founded in 1927,
the port of Lorient-Keroman has modernized to become
the 1st fishing port in France by added value. It is a leading
economic light with 700 sailors, 130 fishing boats (artisan,
coastal and offshore) and 260 companies. This amounts
to 5 000 direct and indirect jobs. In order to increase
productivity still further, the site has invested in safety,
modernizing its installations and equipment. The cargo
port at Kergroise has also been modernized to receive
very large commercial vessels. The marina, right in the
heart of the town centre, has 345 places on jetties. As for
the old submarine base, it now offers 800 meters of jetties
for the offshore racing cluster and sailing professionals.
11
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A central
Ranked third in Brittany by the number of inhabitants (190 000), the Lorient borough has fought
tooth and nail to preserve its amenities and develop new ones. Its entrepreneurial, cultural and
sporting spirit attracts people from miles around.
Lorient town lies at the heart of the borough,
offering efficient, well-designed and progressive
infrastructure.
12
Amenities
In less than ten years, Lorient has undergone a real
metamorphosis. The town, which had no theatre since the
Second World War, now sees the Grand Théâtre standing
proudly in the town centre. Still at the heart of the town,
the latest-generation aquatic centre and a new stand
in the Yves Allainmat football stadium attest to Lorient’s
position as a central town. This trend continues with the
opening of the new Nayel shopping centre, the building of
the new hospital and the opening of the mother and child
unit on the banks of the river Scorff. With the transformation of Lorient train station into an intermodal exchange
centre, the borough is once again underlining its regional
vocation. This is a strategic issue. Extending the train
station means increasing the area’s attractiveness and
From Le Moustoir to the marina
adapting to future, sustainable modes of transport. This
future configuration should be ready in 2016, when the
new high-speed Paris / Rennes train comes into operation, connecting Lorient to Paris in 2hr40.
13
LORIENT / a central town
Diversified economy
Over the years, Lorient has developed a long-lasting
and diversified economy. Of course, the maritime sector
remains one of the strongest economic sectors in the
territory with its various ports and nautical companies
at the BSM, DCNS… Beside these economic giants, more
modest companies (services, shops, research, etc.) prosper and offer a considerable number of jobs to the town’s
inhabitants.
The Lorient Agency for planning and economic development (Audélor) is a not-for-profit association in which
public and private stakeholders participate in the urban
and economic development of the borough. It helps
companies to set up and provides support for future
entrepreneurs.
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 88 22 44 or 0805 05 00 26 (from France).
> 35 000 jobs,
The Local Initiative Platform for the economy of Lorient
(PILE) is aimed at the creators of micro businesses
wishing to set up in the Lorient area. The association provides start-up support, technical advice and mentoring
by a company manager during the first years of business.
> 14 business parks
5 000 of which in the maritime sector
> 1/3 of the jobs in the employment
area
> 42 000 m2 of offices
and shopping areas
The Morbihan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(CCIM) has its head office in Lorient and manages the
cargo port and Lorient’s international airport.
The Chamber of Trades and Crafts
The Business incubator houses innovative companies
offering them support, pooled services and personalized advice.
14
The Celtic Submarine, a business centre dedicated
to the maritime sector
er
h
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iL ving to
The quality of life is carefully cultivated in Lorient,
everywhere you go. Pedestrians and cyclists, drivers and public transport passengers, persons with
reduced mobility, etc.; all the inhabitants of Lorient
share the same public spaces. The notion of mutual
respect has even become a fundamental value that
is much appreciated and recognized. Quality of
life cannot be attractive without this ability to live
together.
15
LORIENT / L iving together
Sensible cohabitation
Operation quiet districts! With the exception of the major
thoroughfares, speed in the town is limited to 30 kph.
Within districts, the maximum authorized speed limit
is 30 kph for all vehicles, thus allowing for sensible and
peaceful cohabitation between all users. Meeting areas
are limited to 20 kph and priority is given to pedestrians.
Finally, green pathways promote the environment, cultural heritage and quality of life. These separate pathways
are reserved for non-motorized vehicles, pedestrians and
horse-riders. They open the town up to discovery and
encounters between inhabitants. Quiet escapades along
hedge-lined byways that wander through the town are
possible for walkers and cyclists looking for green shortcuts. Little hidden secrets just waiting to be discovered…
in complete safety.
16
All the town’s districts are limited to 30 kph
Cycling citizens
In this redesigned urban landscape, bicycles have their
rightful place. Cyclists share the space with cars and
public transport. In Lorient, the streets systematically
include a cycle track or belong to strict traffic calming
areas (limited to 20 or 30 kph). In order to promote
bicycle use still further, the council has recently organized pedestrian and cycle avenues and is preparing a
town-wide master plan. This will identify the changes
needed to complete the cycle track network and any
measures to be implemented. With bicycles for hire, it’s
now even easier: the town has set up a bike-for-hire service (opening Spring 2012) offering bicycles for every
need (town bicycles but also electric bikes or folding
bikes.). Visit the shop and pedal away calmly!
The public shuttle boat
Priority to public transport
Triskell is the name of the town’s public transport network,
operated by Cap l’Orient, harmonizing the various ways
of getting around town. The network enhances the urban
landscape, promotes more environmentally-friendly
methods of transport and strengthens social links across
the borough. Pavements are well-lit and wider to encourage walking, safe and accessible for all. The Pont des
Indes spans the river Scorff, creating a new link between
the town centre and its suburbs.
associations worked together to draw up preferential
routes in the town centre (more than 900 boats, access
ramps, lifts, etc.). The hearing-impaired can avail of
recordings on numerous amenities and have the possibility of listening to the town's website pages.
Accessibility and disability
For many years, Lorient has been sensitive to disabled
issues. Its aim: to make the town accessible to all.
Numerous initiatives have been recognized by the
Association des Paralysés de France (APF). On the
reverse of the general town map is the Handiplan. This
map of the town centre, adapted for the visually impaired, lists the facilities accessible to disabled persons and
persons with reduced mobility. More than ten years ago,
the town council created an ”accessibility” committee
that meets three times a year with associations and
town services. Politicians, technical departments and
Accessibility: a priority
17
youth
Toddlers, pre-school children, school children...
At every age, the inhabitants of Lorient can grow
up in the best possible conditions. For this reason,
the town is very attentive to the quality of existing amenities and their future development.
Coordination has given rise to numerous initiatives
and innovative projects.
18
Children’s services
Pre-school children
Almost 2 000 children aged 0 to 3 yrs; 983 crèche places;
a budget of €3.09 million for pre-school children…
Lorient has opted to develop a wide range of childcare
facilities: day care, family-run crèches, registered childminders, associations, etc.
Children
Almost 5 000 children attend school every year in Lorient.
The town has 23 nursery schools (16 public and 7 private)
and 20 primary schools (13 public and 7 private). Each
school corresponds to a catchment area. Children therefore go to the school they live closest to. Outside school
hours, more than 100 facilitators, students and supply
staff are employed by the Town to supervise children. In
total, the council spends more than € 700 000 / year on
school maintenance and renovation work.
Sports and personal development activities are
defined in a local education project
Youth
Open days, forums, information points, direct relations,
project support, etc. Lorient facilitates the development
of projects to meet the specific needs of a whole generation. For information about professions and careers,
school children can visit the CIO and the 16-25 year-olds
not attending school can visit the Mission Locale. They
have developed the concept of ”job cafés” for concrete
help with job seeking. For other young people, the Youth
information bureau can provide answers. Various
support funds for young Lorient residents (from 16 to
29 years depending on the scheme) encourage projects
and provide support for them.
19
LORIENT / y outh
Education
Every year, almost 6 500 young people
decide to further their education in the
greater Lorient area.
Vocational training and careers
The University of South Brittany (spread over the campuses of Lorient, Vannes and Pontivy) is continuing to
grow and develop. A multidisciplinary university, it offers
students a wide choice of courses in the humanities,
law, management and the sciences. Thanks to the complete range of training offered, the University of South
Brittany (UBS ) boasts excellent results: 85% of degree
and professional masters’ students find a job corresponding to their training within 18 months of graduating from
UBS. This ranking makes UBS one of the leading national
establishments for employability.
University of South Brittany - Tel. +33 (0)2 97 87 66 66
20
The University of South Brittany (UBS)
Significant investment in third-level
education
Since 1995, the town has strongly supported the development of UBS and facilitates closer ties between various
stakeholders in the borough with the desire to be part
of local development. Recently, as part of its financial
participation in the ”digital campus” of the European
University of Brittany, Lorient was attributed one of the
three Breton ”tele-immersion” rooms. This is an innovative tool enabling remote teaching and research.
The university is involved in general exchange programmes such as Erasmus, and has bilateral ties
with foreign universities. Thus, 67 agreements are
currently in force with European partners and 34 with
partners outside Europe.
and
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Healt s
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a
social
Health for all! This is a major goal for the town
of Lorient. The creation of the new Scorff hospital
opening in 2013 and the mother and child facility
already in service, confirm this collective will to
make health a priority. To look after the elderly
and disabled in their own home, professionals are
on-hand to meet every need, be it treatment, meals
on wheels or home help. Elderly people who are
dependent or losing their autonomy are an important consideration in this effort of solidarity. They
can avail of a suitable structure or precious local
support. A medico-social network operated by the
Community social welfare centre also helps people
who are no longer in the health circuit to recover
their rights and get the appropriate treatment.
21
LORIENT / H ealth
and social affairs
The future Scorff hospital
In 2013, the South-Brittany hospital centre
(CHBS) will gather all the medical specialties in
one ultramodern site.
This new structure will have an increased
capacity of 707 beds.
The Bodélio site
The historical hospital in the town centre will house the
departments of neurology, pulmonary medicine, radiology, cardiology, etc. It will also contain a medical-sports
centre and the accident and emergency department.
22
The mother and child unit
The first phase of the new South Brittany Hospital Centre
(CHBS) on the Scorff site is the Mother and Child unit,
including the Mother and Child emergency room, the
gynaecology-obstetrics department, the family planning
centre, the fertility clinic and the department of pediatrics-neonatology. Ultimately, both hospitals will unite
on the banks of the Scorff.
The Community social welfare centre
The Lorient Community social welfare centre (CCAS)
identifies the social needs of the population, and implements numerous measures in favour of the elderly, the
disabled and the vulnerable. It is an important player in
the fight against all forms of social exclusion that can
affect people of all ages.
Culture
Whether it be the world famous Interceltic Festival,
the recent Théâtre de Lorient or the all new Eric
Tabarly sailing museum, to name but a few, culture
in Lorient abounds in all its aspects. All forms of
artistic expression are allowed… to the delight of
both artists and spectators.
23
LORIENT / C ulture
Major events
The Grand Parade of Celtic nations
The FIL
In 2010, the Lorient Interceltic Festival, or FIL as it is
known, held its fortieth edition! This annual event brings
together 650 000 visitors and hundreds of artists. As
such, it is the largest festival in France. It is also one of
the longest, as it lasts for ten days. Throughout the town,
the ”official” Festival and the ”fringe” live together in
perfect harmony. During the day, a few bagadoù slowly
work their way through the town for fun and then compete seriously at the Palais des Congrès in the evening.
While professional dancers express their art under a big
top, amateurs kick up an improvised gavotte… The crowd
grows, the music swells. That’s the Festival!
World Music. As well as many concerts, an evening is
devoted to young newcomers.
Enchanted Christmas
At Christmas, the streets light up with decorations designed and made by the inhabitants, shows bring the town
centre to life, the big tent at place Alsace-Lorraine is open
late… Surprises always await with the associations Idées
Détournées and Lorient Cap Commerce.
Other cultural events:
´´ Photographic Encounters
(Galerie Le Lieu: Quai de Rohan. Tel: +33 (0)2 97 21 18 02);
The music festival Les IndisciplinéEs
´´ The Children’s’ Book Fair (Palais des Congrès) and
Since 2006, MAPL (Music of today in Lorient) has organized a festival in November: les IndisciplinéEs. It reflects
current musical styles, from rock to pop via electro and
´´ National Music Festival (every 21 June);
24
Books about the Sea (Sailing Museum);
´´ Heritage Open Days (3rd weekend in September);
´´ Artists workshops Open Days (weekend in
September).
The Lorient Theatre
The Lorient Theatre is an artistic project focusing on
plays, music and dance; three disciplines to which can
naturally be added opera, circus arts and shows for a
younger public. From October 2011, the Theatre of Lorient
puts on events at three additional venues:
the Grand Théâtre: seating for 1000, place de l’Hôtel de
Ville;
The CDDB: seating for 338, Merville;
creation studio: seating for 100, rue du Tour des Portes.
Under the artistic direction of Éric Vignier, the Lorient
Théâtre company work to foster dialogue, provoke
encounters and open up exchanges with artists to
encourage access to culture for all. With this in mind, collaboration also occurs with schools, universities and local
associations, but also in the street, local districts, etc.
www.letheatredelorient.fr
The forecourt of the Grand Théâtre and the CDDB
Le Grand Théâtre
In 2003, 60 years after the destruction of the old theatre, the Grand Théâtre was completed. This building was
designed by the architect Henri Gaudin, renowned for the
originality of his work, his humanity and his very personal way of fitting each building in its surroundings. The
Grand Théâtre has been designed to welcome all artistic
forms. With its creation and rehearsal studio, it is perfectly configured to house a residential theatre company.
The CDDB
Over the years, the theatre in the rue Droneau has acquired a certain celebrity. So much so that the Dramatic
centre of Brittany (CDDB) obtained status as a national
centre for drama. This 338-seat theatre hosts a programme that is both creative and accessible.
25
LORIENT / C ulture
Rehearsals at the Scénith
The Scénith
Plateau des Quatre Vents
Located in an extension to the primary school Bois du
Château, this 80-seater theatre, managed by a steering
committee of local actors, puts on cultural shows and
interactive events at very affordable prices. Concerts
and exhibitions are also regularly organised.
Right in the town centre, this venue offers theatre, dance,
music, etc.
A new theatre at Kervénanec
From autumn 2012, Kervénanec will have a new 120-seat
theatre. Located close to the Bois Bissonnet school and
the new old people’s home, this cultural venue will also put
on amateur shows and will encourage cultural expression
by residents and students from the district. A new facility
in this completely redesigned district which was a haven
for especially innovative cultural experimentation with
the Ephemeral Museum.
26
City Salle Louis Aragon
In the district of Keryado, this former cinema converted
into a theatre can seat up to 130 spectators. The City programme is organized by the association Plateau freely in
conjunction with the town of Lorient, the Keryado social
centre and residents.
Permanent exhibition at the Museum of the French East India Company
East India Company museum
Adventures in far off lands, discoveries and maritime
technology, trade from the 18th century to the present…
The East India Company museum deals with many themes
suitable for all, children or adults, specialists or novices,
students, scientists, historians, residents and tourists
alike.
Models of ships, prints, old maps, Indo-European furniture, Chinese porcelain, Indian cotton all bear witness to
this fabulous maritime adventure. The town is extraordinarily lucky to have such a rich museum, especially as
the collections belong to it. Once installed definitively in
its new Lorient premises, the East India Company museum
(currently located in the citadel at Port-Louis) will offer
a cultural programme to suit the local heritage. The
museum itself will also undergo a change. With all the
wealth of its activities in a single venue, it will move to the
Enclos du port, the cradle of the town, inviting everyone
to join in the life of this museum.
Bomb shelter Memorial to the destroyed town
On the place Alsace-Lorraine, this shelter for 400 people
was used during the Second World War to protect the local
population during air raids. The site is open for guided
tours.
27
LORIENT / C ulture
The esplanade at the Eric Tabarly sailing museum
The Éric Tabarly sailing museum
Located on the old submarine base (BSM) in Lorient, the
Cité de la Voile houses a permanent exhibition, a resource
centre and a conference centre. This is also the home port
for Eric Tabarly’s Pen Duick yachts. The sailing museum
is: 2 000 m2 of exhibition space unique in France, to discover the world of sailing; a permanent homage to Eric
Tabarly, the sailor who made his mark on the world, and
on Lorient. This is also an interactive museum that is a
great place for understanding, experimenting, testing
and feeling the same sensations as the great skippers.
The submarine La Flore
Decommissioned in 1989, the submarine ”Flore” can be
seen at the Lorient submarine base. This exciting new site
has been open to the public since the spring of 2010. The
tour of the submarine is one of a whole series of museum
experiences on 450 m² in a former cell of block K2, tracing the history of this wartime base.
28
The Submariners’ museum
In the heart of the base, a special museum houses the
oldest simulator in the world, built to train German submariners in 1942. This visit, unique in Europe, enables the
curious to discover the various rescue techniques used
at great depths!
Guided or multilingual audio-guided tours and projections of underwater archive films and images.
Exhibition venues
The Faouëdic gallery
Municipal exhibition hall in the south-east wing of the
town hall. Entrance to the gallery is free of charge. During
exhibitions it is open from Wednesday to Sunday from
2 pm to 7 pm.
Le Lieu
This gallery located at the Maison de la Mer, is an exhibition area and photographic resource centre. It also has
an educational role aimed at school children.
Artists’ workshops
With the backing of the town of Lorient, this association organizes visits to artists’ workshops for the public.
During one weekend in September, the workshops show
how contemporary art is created in Lorient, with all the
quality, diversity and vivacity it deserves.
Le Lieu, a gallery devoted to photography
29
LORIENT / C ulture
The Media libraries
The district municipal libraries are public places open to
all. Entrance is free of charge to consult documents on
site. As well as making a wealth of general and regional
material available to the public, the network of libraries
schedule many book-related events and activities. Every
two weeks on Saturday mornings at 10.30 am, the auditorium is open to the very young (0-3 years).
The story room houses a collection of books, CDs and
tapes (every Wednesday at 11 am, for children over
4 years, entrance free and no registration necessary).
The reading committee, open to adolescents from
12 years, is led by a librarian from the youth section.
Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 5 pm once a month
from October to May. Participation is free and no registration is needed.
30
Archives
The Lorient library lost all its books in 1943, with the
exception of the Breton collection which was evacuated
to the castle of Locuon.
The old collection includes volumes from the 17th, 18th
and 19th centuries, including several about the East India
Company. There are also manuscripts, works and other
documents by local writers and historians. The collection also includes thirty or so local and regional titles
from 1847 to the present (Abeille de Lorient, Avenir de
la Bretagne, Courrier des campagnes, Nouvelliste du
Morbihan ...).
The Bretagne collection and its premises
(the François Mitterrand library hall)
On the ground floor of the library, the Bretagne room
is a multimedia room devoted to local and regional
titles (Lorient, Morbihan and Brittany in general).
Contemporary print media are accessible directly and
on loan, as are the audiovisual collections, a large proportion of which are in Breton.
Artistic education
The higher European school of art of
Brittany / Lorient (EESAB)
is Lorient’s municipal art school. It provides three types of
courses, which although complementary in their methods
and practices, are quite different in their perspectives
and challenges: higher education; children’s classes;
adult workshops.
The Lorient school of music and dance
(EMDL)
is one of 140 regional music schools: a departmental conservatory (CRD) with a creative dynamic that
attracts many artists. Access to collective practice is a
preferred method of learning. With varied situations,
the fundamental aspects of music and dance are worked
on concretely by pupils in various groups. Playing, singing or dancing in small or larger groups, improvising,
writing, practicing techniques, finding a place among
others, exchanging, experimenting… these are the many
teaching tools that encourage progress and development
in students.
Practical work for students
Music of today in Lorient (MAPL)
The association MAPL has, for several years, been
developing cultural and artistic, professional and
collective events in the field of contemporary music.
The Studios include a broadcast room, several
rehearsal studios, a recording studio and a resource
centre. The association also manages the salle du
Manège. This room adjoining the Cité Allende puts
on many concerts.
31
LORIENT / C ulture
Archives and heritage
The Lorient municipal archives collect, classify, conserve
and lend out all the documents produced by the town
council departments and establishments. The collections
are constantly enriched by the acquisition of remarkable
documents.
The archives include:
´´ Ancient archives previous to 1790 including all parish
deliberations and records;
´´ Modern archives covering the 1790–1990 period;
´´ Contemporary archives since 1991;
´´ Important iconographic collections;
´´ Architectural documents from the second half of the
20th century;
´´ The Anita Conti oceanographic records kept here since
2004;
´´ A historical library.
32
Discovering the town’s architectural heritage
Architecture and heritage
Lorient is the first modern town to obtain the label ”Town
of art and history”. This label concerns all periods of
history and the whole territory, 1 700 hectares! Special
mention is made of the town’s architectural and urban
quality. Raising awareness of heritage lies in educational
measures such as the Archi’mômes heritage discovery
workshops for children aged 3 to 12 years on Wednesdays
during the school holidays. Or the ”architectural snacks”,
offering titbits of architecture during the lunch break (1st
and 3rd Thursdays of every month at 12.30 pm).
pS orts
re
u
s
lei
and
In 2010, Lorient was nominated as the ”Most sporting town in France” in a competition organised
by the newspaper L’Equipe. Of towns with 20 000
to 100 000 inhabitants, there aren’t many where
two inhabitants out of ten are a member of a
sports club. And even fewer with sports facilities
less than 850 metres from any house. In Lorient,
there are 80 sports infrastructures covering
55 230 m2, €4.1 m operating budget spent by the
Town, 78 sports associations, 67 sports practiced
and 14 000 members of sports clubs.
33
LORIENT / Sp
orts and leisure
Sport at every age
in all districts
In the heart of the town, 8 hectares are devoted to sport.
Lorient prefers local amenities with a variety of easily
accessible facilities: ”A few steps are all you need to
get from the Moustoir swimming pool to the Guyader
gymnasium or from the Yves Allainmat stadium to
the skate-park. All these facilities are well balanced
between pro sports and sport for everyone, and part
of a well thought out and structured project” (L’Équipe,
4 September 2010). The suburbs are also well equipped! Renovation, construction… At the sports complex
at Kervénanec, the cloakrooms have been refitted
and a synthetic pitch freshly laid, like at Kerfichant.
At Keryado, the former town hall is now a sports and
culture area and has lost nothing of its original charm.
At Nouvelle Ville, the Svob gymnasium, now a multisport hall, offers an additional dance hall and two tennis
courts. All these facilities combine sports with sustainable
development!
34
Athletics track at Bois de Château
To develop sports in the districts, the town has signed
agreements with 10 clubs: the PLL (Patronage laïque
de Lorient), the FOLCLO (Foyer omnisport laïque de
Lorient ouest), the LHBC (Lorient handball club), the CEP
(Cercle d’éducation physique), the FLK (Foyer laïque de
Keryado), the Football club 56 Lorient, the VCPL (Vélo
club du Pays de Lorient), the CNL (Centre nautique de
Lorient), the ROL (Rugby ovalie Lorient) and Lorient
tennis. Thanks to a Local Educational Project, instructors
with the town’s youth department are developing sports
activities at school during the lunch break. In the districts
of Frébault, Kervénanec, Keryado, Bois du Château and
Nouvelle Ville, the gyms are open after school.
The town doesn’t just manage the sports infrastructures,
it also encourages the development of sports by supporting associations. Around sixty agents participate
actively in supporting and developing the local sports
movement: grants (almost € 1 m in 2009), equipment
loans, know-how, posters, etc.
The aquatic centre
3 000 m2 total surface, 1 000 m2 water surface, 7 pools,
a 70-m slide... The aquatic centre has something for all
ages: paddling pool, deep dive pool (the only one in the
department), recreational pool or spa area. By choosing Béatrice Hess, the disabled sports champion as the
centre’s patron, the town is demonstrating its strong
More than just a swimming pool : an aquatic
centre in the heart of the town
desire to cater for the disabled. Everyone is welcome
and this can be seen in the prices suited to all purses. This
new centre also strictly meets the criteria of sustainable
development: water savings, heating with wood, ozone
water treatment, etc.
Learning for all
After the opening of the Moustoir aquatic centre, the Bois
du Château swimming pool is now more specifically used
by schools, clubs and sports associations. Every year,
67 classes of pupils from Lorient primary schools come
here for their first swimming lessons.
35
LORIENT / Sp
orts and leisure
The school of the sea
Making sailing accessible to everyone. At the municipal
nautical base at Le Ter, pupils from Lorient’s primary
schools take the tiller for their first outings on light sailing dinghies (optimist, catamaran, skiffs, etc.). The Le
Ter base is open all year round and safely hosts school
classes, leisure centres, the municipal sports school, and
courses for private individuals and some groups. The
Lorient Nautical Centre (CNL) is one of the best clubs
in France for light sailing and cruising. On Wednesdays
and Saturdays, the Le Ter base also hosts certain associations: Centre de Kerpape and Sessad (navigation on
adapted boats for disabled children), the Patronage
laïque lorientais (kayak and rowing), the Union nationale du sport scolaire of the lycée Dupuy de Lôme and
the Larmor club Tire-veille (windsurfing).
36
Sailing for beginners at the Le Ter lake
Ocean racing cluster
A base for every exploit
A base for every exploit! Currently, there are 50 boats of
all types (trimarans, monohulls, maxi multihulls, Figaro,
Mumm 30’, mini 6.50) training in Lorient.
The logistics here are ideal for preparing to beat records:
880 m of wharves for racing boats, opening directly onto
a deep body of water, accessible at all hours; only 40 m
away, huge hangars where boats can be dry-docked on
the keel. These assets have not escaped the eagle eyes
of the skippers based in Lorient or of the race organisers.
37
LORIENT / Sp
orts and leisure
The Lorient football club
Since reaching the 1st division in 2006, the Merlus (as
they are known), are at ease. They proudly wear the
colours of the town. The present of this professional football club is intimately linked to the history of the town.
The club Les Merlus was born in the fishing port. In 1925,
Madame Cuissard, owner of a fish shop, started it all.
The club rapidly attracted amateurs to the quays, who
dreamed of playing against corporate teams such as
“Charbon sports” or “Gargantua sports”. Faced with
the success of this new sports structure, the directors
changed the status of the club from a “corporate” to an
amateur team on 2 April 1926 thus creating the Lorient
Football Club. Since this date, the club has seen numerous
successes and trophies, including winning the Coupe de
France in 2002.
A pioneer, the FC Lorient has received Division 1 players
on a synthetic pitch since 2010.
38
Inauguration match at the south stand
,
s
k
Par
s
y
a
w
k
wal s
and garden
There are 200 hectares of municipal green areas,
23 parks and gardens in Lorient, 34 m2 of greenery
per inhabitant, 12 km of urban walkways punctuated with benches. The town maintains this green
heritage in respect of the environment: differentiated management, preservation of biodiversity,
weed charter, no use of chemical products...
39
LORIENT / P arks, walkways
and gardens
Chevassu garden (2.5 ha)
A flower-filled and hilly animal park crossed by a stream,
this garden holds a rich collection of shrubs and trees.
The garden hides 5 beehives, honey from which delights
visitors during the bee festival in September.
Youri Gagarine garden - Lanveur (2 ha)
Close to the university, this park has huge lawns, a
pond and a play area and is particularly appreciated
by the students. Two copses of old oak trees have been
preserved.
Venzu park - Kervénanec (3.8 w)
A symbol of the renovation of the town’s natural heritage,
the Parc du Venzu serves as a green link between the
district of Kervénanec and the Le Ter wood with its lake.
Faouëdic walkway (1 ha)
A park beside the Grand Théâtre, continuing along
the avenue, with huge trees recalling the East India
Company.
View of the Chevassu garden
L’Enclos du Port (2 ha)
French gardens located in the grounds of the arsenal, in
front of the Hôtel Gabriel, an exhibition venue. The Jardin
des Moulins that runs from the wooded hill at the foot of
the tower La Découverte, gives a beautiful view over the
bay of Lorient. The town of Lorient has equipped itself,
thanks to the PLU (local town plan), with the means of
developing its seaboard and 10 km of coastline.
Jules Ferry park (1.5 ha)
A wooded park, where regulars to the Lorient Interceltic
Festival go, close to the town centre marina, will be undergoing a metamorphosis in 2012.
La République walkway
Walkway lined with magnolias and palm trees leading
to the quays.
Anse du Ter walkway (Kermélo)
40
Pedestrian extension of the wooded paths along the Le
Ter lake to the old Keroman submarine base.
The refurbished playground in the République district
Bourgneuf garden (1.5 ha)
Family parks:
Still known as the Quatre Jeudis garden, this local park
with its many trees (willow and bog oak) surrounds a
rainwater pool.
120 allotments on the hills in Kervénanec, in a wooded site.
100 allotments in the Bois du Château district, near the
banks of the Scorff.
Brizeux square (6 000 m2)
Shared gardens
The oldest garden in Lorient was renovated during restructuration work to the buildings along the quai de
Rohan, designed by the architect Roland Castro
´´ Grand Théâtre;
2
Rio square (6 000 m )
This square, stilled called the “Banane” square, is in the
town centre, in front of a post-war building. This park
contains a beautiful modern cascade.
´´ Frébault district;
´´ Rue
Madeleine Desroseaux, behind the new Svob
sports hall.
A charter for gardeners sets out the conditions for planting and accessing the garden... no pesticides, no fences,
local plants if possible.
Bois du Château park (10 ha)
A 35-year old wooded park with huge lawns, tall trees, a
swan lake and a play area. This park located at the northern limit to Lorient, overlooks the Scorff valley.
41
hT e greater
area
Lorient
190 000 inhabitants, third largest Breton city after
Rennes and Brest, the greater Lorient area extends
over a wide territory with many identities, maritime, urban and rural. With its seaboard and the
bay of Lorient, the town is open to the wider world.
Its two valleys irrigated by the rivers Scorff and
Blavet connect it to inland Brittany.
42
CLEGUER
INZINZAC-LOCHRIST
PONT-SCORFF
LANGUIDIC
CAUDAN
GESTEL
GUIDEL
HENNEBONT
BRANDERION
QUEVEN
LANESTER
LORIENT
PLOEMEUR
LOCMIQUELIC
LARMOR
RIANTEC
PORT-LOUIS
GAVRES
Map of the greater
Lorient area
© F.Galivel – Office Tourisme
Pays de Lorient.
GROIX
43
LORIENT / T he greater
AN INNOVATIVE AND
INCLUSIVE TERRITORY
The greater Lorient area includes 19 communes, all with
the shared desire to build a territory made more dynamic
and ambitious by working together.
On the strength of its maritime heritage, Lorient is naturally pulled towards the sea and the activities emerging
from it. It is in this sense that economic development is
encouraged to promote its industrial and technological
know-how. In fields as varied as fishing, ship building,
tourism or new technologies, Lorient has a rich and
diverse local economy that deserves support in its search
for performance.
To raise the profile of our territory, the greater Lorient
area is playing the innovation card. One essential contributor to the economic development of Lorient is the
University of South Brittany which offers young people
a quality education suited to the needs of companies.
One of the major challenges of the borough is the reconversion of the military sites that marked the history and
landscape of Lorient, like the submarine base, currently
in the process of becoming a European-scale nautical
centre.
44
© Auteurs de vues
Lorient area
The greater Lorient area, a territory opened on the sea
Two concepts lie behind town policy. The “sea, bay,
valleys” policy defines the geographical identity of
the territory, its tourist amenities and its ambition for
balanced development. The sustainable development
policy is expressed in measures that respect the territory’s varied features and richness of its environment,
as illustrated in the waste sorting and treatment policy,
the requalification of the coastline, public transport and
the adoption of an environment and sustainable development charter.
The greater Lorient area numbers several sandy beaches.
en
p
o
n
A tow
orld
w
e
h
t
to
45
LORIENT / T he greater
Lorient area
ICELAND
FINLAND
NORWAY
EST
SWEDEN
LE
LITUAN
A town open to the world
IRELAND
IUM
GERMANY
CZECH REPUBLIC
LORIENT
AUSTRIA HUNGARY
FRANCE
SWITZERLAND
SERBIA
PORT
UGAL
SPAIN
46
POLAND
ND
LA
ER
TH
NE
BELG
Exchanges with the outside world have made this town.
So naturally it is twinned with other European towns and
maintains close relations with Cayar in Senegal and partnerships in India and Vietnam.
Wirral (England) since 1958: The former Lorient Bebington twinning became Lorient-Wirral in 1975.
A borough of 42 towns (340 000 inhabitants).
Ludwigshafen (Germany) since 1963: The Lorient Ludwigshafen (170 000 inhabitants) twinning is one of
the oldest and most active Franco-German twinnings
Galway (Ireland) since 1974 - 1975: Galway (57 095 inhabitants) is a town on the west coast of Ireland, in Connemara.
Ventspils (Latvia) since 1974 – 1975: Ventspils (50 600
inhabitants) is located on the Baltic Sea, 180 km from
Riga, the capital of Latvia.
Vigo (Spain) since 1983: Located in south-west Galicia,
Vigo (174 000 inhabitants) is the largest metropolitan
borough in the region.
S
UNITED
KINGDOM
ITA
LY
Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic) since 1997: school
exchanges are at the origin of the friendship between
Lorient and Ceske Budejovice (80 000 inhabitants)
Cayar (Senegal): Lorient has begun decentralised cooperation with the town of Cayar to build a wastewater
TUNISIA
treatment network.
MOROCCO
ALGERIA
> Department of international relations
Department of development and external partnerships
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 29
ALBANIA
Getting to Lorient
Lorient by plane
´´ Lann-Bihoué airport
56270 Plœmeur
Tel.: +33 (0)2 97 87 21 50
4 daily flights between Lorient and Paris.
3 daily flights between Lorient and Lyon.
Other destinations from Lorient: 3 towns in Ireland.
´´ Nantes Atlantique airport
44346 Bouguenais Cedex
Tel.: +33 (0)2 40 84 80 00
85 destinations from Nantes: several towns in Europe
and the world
9 daily flights between Lorient and Paris.
´´ Brest Bretagne airport
29490 Guipavas
Tel.: +33 (0)2 98 32 86 00
12 destinations from Brest: several towns in France and
Europe from 5 daily flights between Lorient and Paris.
Lorient by train
´´ SNCF train station
rue Edouard Beauvais
56100 Lorient
For train information, dial 36 35
or +33 (0)2 97 88 41 56 (sales agency)
8 return journeys per day between Lorient and Paris 3 hr 40 to 4 hr journey time on direct lines.
Direct links with Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport are
also possible.
3 return journeys between Lyon and Lorient (not via Paris).
Numerous daily regional links with Vannes, Quimper
and Rennes; 35 minutes journey time between Lorient
and Vannes, around 45 minutes between Lorient and
Quimper and about 1 hr 35 to Rennes.
Lorient by road
´´ By car: Lorient is on the RN 165.
´´ By bus: Urban and inter-urban transport around the
greater Lorient area is managed by the CTRL.
For all information: L’Orientis bus station
(+33 (0)2 97 21 28 29) or on the site www.ctrl.fr
Lorient by sea
´´ Boats to and from Lorient
´´ The public shuttle boats
A shuttle boat crosses the bay between Lorient and
Locmiquélic and between Lorient and Port-Louis.
´´Boats from Lorient to the islands of Groix
and Belle-Ile.
For information, contact the bus station
at +33 (0)2 97 21 28 29
47
/ Impression : Ollivier - Lorient
Town Hall
2 bd Général Leclerc - BP 30010
56315 LORIENT Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)2 97 02 22 00
e-mail: [email protected]
Magenta 20 %
Jaune 100 %
Cyan 100 %
Magenta 80 %
Lorient
www.lorient.fr
Noir 25 %
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©Department of communication, January 2012
Traduction : Amanda Grey /
Lorient