Locronan

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Locronan (Lokorn in Breton) is a commune in Finistère, Bretagne, France. Locronan has been credited with being one of the most beautiful villages in France by an independent association aiming to promote tourism into rural France.

The Place Name

The village's name means the hermitage of Saint Ronan. It has previously been known as Saint-René-du-Bois.

St Ronan is greatly venerated in Brittany. He was a Celtic (possibly Cornish or Irish) missionary of the 6th century. His association with Locronan is close, and his relics are kept in the parish church.

History

Locronan is a small town built at the foot of a hill, and was granted town status in 1505 by Anne of Brittany, who went there on a pilgrimage.

Since the 15th century, hemp has been blossoming in Locronan's surroundings. This led to a hemp industry in the town at the time, making the town quite prosperous. Locronan's hemp used to be shipped around the world, and was also vital for rigging the shipping, both commercial and military, that operated from Brittany's many ports. It was at this time that the Saint Ronan church was built as well as the small chapel of Penity.

Demographics

Inhabitants of Locronan are called Locronanais.

As of the census of 1999, the village has a population of .

Events

Troménie is a pilgrimage festival, involving a huge procession, which features the banners of participating parishes. Held every six years between the second and third Sundays in July, the Grande Troménie is a pilgrimage of about 12km., traversing the wider sacred area around Locronan. In the intervening five years, the Petite Troménie is is held on the second Sunday in July and is focussed on the town and church of Locronan. These are among the major pardons of the Breton festal calendar.

Popular culture

Locronan features in a few films:

• Tess by Roman Polanski
• A Very Long Engagement by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• Chouans! by Philippe de Broca

Gallery

See also

• Communes of the Finistère department

External links

• Official site of the commune
• Locronan gallery on Treakearth
• French Ministry of Culture list for Locronan

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Last updated on Wednesday December 19, 2007 at 10:17:44 PST (GMT -0800)
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