Gourin (French pronunciation: [ɡuʁɛ̃]; Breton: Gourin) is a commune in the Morbihan département of Brittany in north-western France.[3]

Gourin
The Manor of Tronjoly
The Manor of Tronjoly
Coat of arms of Gourin
Location of Gourin
Map
Gourin is located in France
Gourin
Gourin
Gourin is located in Brittany
Gourin
Gourin
Coordinates: 48°08′28″N 3°36′21″W / 48.1411°N 3.6058°W / 48.1411; -3.6058
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentMorbihan
ArrondissementPontivy
CantonGourin
IntercommunalityRoi Morvan Communauté
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Hervé Le Floc'h[1]
Area
1
74.72 km2 (28.85 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
3,823
 • Density51/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
56066 /56110
Elevation83–301 m (272–988 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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Gourin is in the northwest of Morbihan, 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Quimper and 47 km (29 mi) northwest of Lorient. Historically, it belongs to Cornouaille. Gourin is on the southern slope of the Montagnes Noires (French, Black Mountains). The river Inam rises in the northern part of Gourin and flows to the south.

Topographic map

Demographics

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Inhabitants of Gourin are called in French Gourinois. Gourin lost 40% of its population since 1946.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 3,496—    
1800 3,579+0.34%
1806 3,002−2.89%
1821 3,261+0.55%
1831 3,626+1.07%
1836 3,394−1.31%
1841 3,783+2.19%
1846 4,062+1.43%
1851 4,310+1.19%
1856 4,192−0.55%
1861 4,021−0.83%
1866 4,184+0.80%
1872 4,181−0.01%
1876 4,419+1.39%
1881 4,448+0.13%
1886 4,555+0.48%
1891 4,529−0.11%
1896 4,723+0.84%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901 4,919+0.82%
1906 5,053+0.54%
1911 5,409+1.37%
1921 5,766+0.64%
1926 5,522−0.86%
1931 5,909+1.36%
1936 5,737−0.59%
1946 6,391+1.09%
1954 5,576−1.69%
1962 5,195−0.88%
1968 5,128−0.22%
1975 5,199+0.20%
1982 4,925−0.77%
1990 4,734−0.49%
1999 4,464−0.65%
2009 4,121−0.80%
2014 4,073−0.23%
2020 3,783−1.22%
Source: EHESS[4] and INSEE (1968–2020)[5]

History

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This small town is well known for the Révolte des Bonnets Rouges against local nobles at the end of the 17th century. The town is also known for being the origin of many immigrants to United States and Canada during the first part of the 20th century. It has a large copy of the Statue of Liberty standing in the main square opposite the town hall alongside the monument to the fallen soldiers of the 20th century who came from this region.

Gourin still has a large number of native Breton speakers. The people of this region are very proud of their Celtic heritage and have preserved many old customs and traditions.

 
Place Stenfort in Gourin at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Breton language

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In 2008, 18.32% of primary school children attended bilingual schools.[6]

People

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Twinning

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Gourin is twinned with the following place:

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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. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Gourin, EHESS (in French).
  5. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  6. ^ (in French) Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
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