Le Faouët, Morbihan

For other places with the same name, see Le Faouët (disambiguation).

Le Faouët ([lə fawɛt]; Breton: Ar Faoued) is a commune in the Morbihan department of the region of Brittany in north-western France.

Le Faouët Ar Faoued
Commune
Chapel of Saint Barbara
Coat of arms
Location of Le Faouët
Le Faouët Le Faouët
Coordinates: 48°02′02″N 3°29′25″W
Country	France
Region	Brittany
Department	Morbihan
Arrondissement	Pontivy
Canton	Gourin
Intercommunality	Roi Morvan Communauté
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Christian Faivret
Area 1	34.03 km2 (13.14 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	2,808
• Density	83/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	56057 /56320
Elevation	53–202 m (174–663 ft) (avg. 152 m or 499 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The 16th-century timber market hall is a noted feature of the town, and two medieval chapels lie within the boundaries of the commune.

Toponymy

Faoued (French: Faouët) is a Breton word meaning "beech forest".

Geography

Le Faouët/Ar Faoued is 19 km (12 mi) north of Quimperlé, 33 km (21 mi) northwest of Lorient and 47 km (29 mi) east of Quimper. It lies in the historical region of Cornouaille. Traditionally a Breton-speaking area, the French language became commonly used from the 1950s. The town lies in the valley of the river Ellé. The river Ellé forms the commune's eastern border. The river Inam forms the commune's western border and flows into the river Ellé. Apart from the town, there are about one hundred and twenty hamlets and isolated farms. In the center of the town stands the 16th-century timber market halls.

Map

Topographic map

List of places

Barregan Beg er Roch Beg Roz Bodez Bois Clos, le Bois du Mur Botoharec Boutouloué Brancardic Brugou, (le) Coadic en Ny Coat en Haie Coat Loret Coat Palès Coat Quenven Cosquéric Cravic, (le) Croch Besquellou Croch Morvan Croix Verte, (la) Diarnelez Drezers Faouët, (le) Gohlen, (le) Gorez Grand Pont, (le) Guernalez Guervienne Helles (le) Keranna Ker Baniel

Ker Calvez Ker Maria Ker Yannick Keranrouë Keranval Kerauffrédic Kerballec Kerbic Kerbloch Kercadoret Kerdaouscoët Kerdouriou Kerdudou Kerforc'h Kerforc'h Vihan Kergoff Kergroës Kerihuel Keriellou Vihan Keriellou Vras Kerly Kermaguer Kermine Kernot Vian Kernot Vras Kernou Kerosa Kerozec Kerroc'h Kerrousseau Kerscoët

Kerscuber Kersoufflet Kervidonnic d'en Haut Kervinien Lambelleguic Lande de Saint Fiacre Leinlosten Leinmeur Lindorum Métairie Neuve, la Miné Cosquer Miné, le Minémeur Moulin Berzen Moulin Blanc Moulin de Barregan Moulin d'en Haut Moulin du Guel Moulin du Mur Moulin du Pont Blanc Ouarioua Parc Charles Parc Marrec Penanrun Penfel Petit Coat Loret Petit Coat Queven Petit Cosqueric Pont Blanc Pont du Duc Pont du Hellès

Pont du Mabot Pont er Lann Pont er Mahat Pont Priant Pont Tanguy Porz en Haie Restalgon Restemblaye Rozenlaër Saint Adrien Sainte Barbe Saint Fiacre Saint Jean Saint Sébastien Stang Groez Stéroulin Toulsable Trosalaün Ty Ascouët Ty Blomen Ty Cosquéric Ty Cravic Ty Lann Ty Nehué Ty Parc Ty Planche Ty Poder Villeneuve Barrégan Villeneuve Pont er Lann Villeneuve Rouzen

History

The oldest surviving parish registers date back to 1544. An infamous historical resident of Le Faouët is Marion du Faouët, the head of an 18th-century group of bandits who became a local bogeyman after her death.

Administration

Until 2015, Le Faouët/Ar Faoued was the seat of the canton of Le Faouët, which consisted of 6 communes. Since the 2015 canton reorganisation, it is part of the canton of Gourin.

Demographics

Inhabitants of Le Faouët are called Faouëtais.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1968	3,048	—
1975	3,149	+0.47%
1982	3,177	+0.13%
1990	2,869	−1.27%
1999	2,806	−0.25%
2007	2,901	+0.42%
2012	2,821	−0.56%
2017	2,803	−0.13%
Source: INSEE

Breton language

In 2008, 14,24% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.

Tourist attractions

Chapel of Saint Barbara.

The 16th-century halles, or covered market, remain in use and are a rare surviving example of a large timber structure from the period.

The chapel of Saint Barbara is sited on a hilltop overlooking the Ellé. The 15th-century chapel of Saint Fiacre was recently restored. The polychrome timber interior was highly regarded, and earned its creator, Olivier Le Loergan, a title of nobility. The stained glass is also noteworthy. Parts of the interior have suffered considerable damage from insects.

View of Chapelle Sainte Barbe Le Fouët

See also

• Communes of the Morbihan department
• List of the works of the Maître de Lanrivain
• Henri Alphonse Barnoin

External links

• Base Mérimée: Search for heritage in the commune, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)