Saint-Renan (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃ ʁənɑ̃]; Breton: Lokournan, pronounced [loˈkurnãn]) is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.

Saint-Renan
Lokournan
Two of the oldest buildings of downtown Saint-Renan in 2010.
Two of the oldest buildings of downtown Saint-Renan in 2010.
Coat of arms of Saint-Renan
Location of Saint-Renan
Map
Saint-Renan is located in France
Saint-Renan
Saint-Renan
Saint-Renan is located in Brittany
Saint-Renan
Saint-Renan
Coordinates: 48°25′54″N 4°37′14″W / 48.4317°N 4.6206°W / 48.4317; -4.6206
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentFinistère
ArrondissementBrest
CantonSaint-Renan
IntercommunalityPays d'Iroise
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Gilles Mounier[1]
Area
1
13.31 km2 (5.14 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
8,358
 • Density630/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
29260 /29290
Elevation26–97 m (85–318 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

History

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The city is named after the Irish Saint Rónán who came in the 5th or 6th century to evangelize the area.

While Brest was still a village, the city of Saint-Renan developed throughout the Middle Ages. In 1276, the Duke of Brittany established one of the courts of justice there. Until the end of the 17th century, Saint-Renan was a "Sénéchaussée" (town of the seneschal), first ducal and then royal. Many of the buildings in the town center are from this period.[3]

Population

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Inhabitants of Saint-Renan are called Renanais in French.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 886—    
1800 908+0.35%
1806 841−1.27%
1821 1,043+1.45%
1831 1,074+0.29%
1836 1,094+0.37%
1841 1,027−1.26%
1846 1,010−0.33%
1851 1,282+4.88%
1856 1,246−0.57%
1861 1,241−0.08%
1866 1,277+0.57%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1872 1,307+0.39%
1876 1,497+3.45%
1881 1,569+0.94%
1886 1,758+2.30%
1891 1,806+0.54%
1896 1,815+0.10%
1901 1,954+1.49%
1906 2,087+1.33%
1911 2,218+1.23%
1921 2,172−0.21%
1926 2,158−0.13%
1931 2,099−0.55%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1936 2,188+0.83%
1946 2,860+2.71%
1954 2,682−0.80%
1962 3,077+1.73%
1968 3,488+2.11%
1975 4,550+3.87%
1982 5,542+2.86%
1990 6,576+2.16%
1999 6,818+0.40%
2007 7,292+0.84%
2012 7,713+1.13%
2017 8,110+1.01%
Source: EHESS[4] and INSEE (1968–2017)[5]

Tourism

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Old houses of 15th and 16th centuries are historical and architectural attractions.

Held every two years, the medieval festival of Saint-Renan, the biggest of the department, highlights the city's heritage.

The Saturday morning market – one of the biggest – is the opportunity to taste local products such as "kouign amann" (cake which name means "sugar and butter" in Breton language), Kig Ha Farz, mushrooms, crepes, cider, caramel, and chitterling sausages etc.

Six artificial lakes are part of the industrial heritage of the city, which was nicknamed "the European capital of tin" in the 1960s. The two largest, "Ty Colo" and "Comiren", are walking destinations.

The 17th-century church has undergone several transformations over time. Built on top of a hill, its bell tower is visible from a large part of the city. The churchyard contains a military area dedicated to British aviators from the Royal Air Force who died during the World War II.[6]

Breton language

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In 2016, 14% of primary-school children attended bilingual schools, where Breton is taught alongside French.[7]

Notable natives and residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "History". Saint-Renan Tourist Office. Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  4. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Saint-Renan, EHESS (in French).
  5. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  6. ^ "St. Renan Churchyard". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Enseignement – Ofis Publik ar Brezhoneg".
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