Guérande

Guérande (in Breton contemporary: Gwenrann and Géraundd in Gallo) is a Commune Frenchwoman, Chef-lieu of Canton, located in the department of the Loire-Atlantique and the area Pays of the Loire, and member of the Community of agglomeration " Cape Atlantique". Commune of the Regional natural park of Brière.

The canton of Guérande includes/understands the communes of Guérande, Mesquer, Piriac-sur-Mer, Saint-Andre-of-Water, Saint-Molf and Turballe.

The inhabitants of the commune name the Guérandais and Guérandaises .

Guérande , old economic capital and administrative local before the economic advancement of Saint-Nazaire, is primarily known today for its saline Marais with in particular the Fleur of salt of Guérande (appellation contr4ol3ee and/or red Label), and its quoted medieval surrounded by complete ramparts with 4 strengthened doors and of the turns. The medieval city (sector intramuros and immediate periphery) is classified in “safeguarded sector” (law Malraux 1962).

This historical heritage, architectural, gastronomical and economic makes of it a tourist pole of the Côte of Love, and west of the department of Loire-Atlantique.

Geography

Guérande is located at 19 km in the west of Saint-Nazaire, 70 km in the south-east of Vannes and 80 km in the west of Nantes.

The commune of Guérande is located in the middle of the peninsula guérandaise . This territory is thus called because it is surrounded in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east by the marsh of Brière, in the south by the the Loire and in north by the Vilaine.

The Pays of Guérande is divided into two entities (or Terroirs ) distinct: the Country Paludier (centered on Batz on Sea and the Village of Saillé in Guérande, with the west of the commune of Baule) and other dimensioned, the Country Métais , on the Northern side of the Slope of Guérande (until Herbignac in North and Piriac on Sea in the west, closed in the East by Brière. An expression often used in the area guérandaise watch the situation of the city enters the saline Marais, the white country for salt, and Brière, the black country for the Tourbe:
“ Guérande: between White Country and Black Country ”.

The city is established at the culminating point (59 meters on the level of the old Small Seminar) of a line of slopes going of Saint-Nazaire to Piriac-sur-Mer, offering a sight on the coasts and the back country (towards the marshes of Large Brière).

The marshes of My, the marshes of Large Brière and the Salt-water Marshes of the Peninsula guérandaise, for a part on the commune of Guérande, in the list of the “protected wetlands” are registered in the Convention of Ramsar.

Climate

The Peninsula of Guérande, particularly the basin occupied by the Salt-water Marshes, enjoys a relatively dry and been windy oceanic microclimate, and changing during the day under the influence of the tides and the thermal breezes.

(Below: averages before 1980, in general over the period 1950 - 1975)

annual Average temperature : 11°C

Annual average of the minimal temperatures : 9 °C (6 °C in January - February, with 16 °C in August)

Annual average of the maximum temperatures : 15,5 °C (9 °C in January - February, with 23 °C in August) - certain summers the thermometer can reach the 40 °C.

Number of days of cold : 18 J (Nantes: 40 J, Paris: 68 J)

Precipitations : less than 700 mm per annum, to see less than 600 mm certain years, for a 160 days average per annum with more 1 mm of water, but only 50 days per annum with more 5 mm, with a rainfall deficit between April and September. Thus, La Baule and the Guérandaise area offer a pluviometry among lowest of Metropolitan France (Nantes: 780 mm/an)

Sunning : intermediate duration of insolation : 2 000 hours (Nantes: 1 960 H, Paris : 1 800 H, Strasbourg : 1 650 H)

Many days with fog : 25 days (Nantes: 60 J, Paris 50 J, Strasbourg 65 J, Bordeaux: 78 J)

Thanks to the particular climatic conditions of the area guérandaise, in addition to the development of the salt-water marshes, the medical establishments are installed there (climatic College of Baule, centers héliomarins of PEN-Bron and Croisic, centers of thalassotherapy of Baule and Pornichet).

The vegetation presents also characteristics related to this particular climate: for example, the Holm oak ( Quercus ilex ), so characteristic of the Mediterranean landscapes, is subspontané ( i.e.: probably introduced (at one unspecified but old time) and reproduces naturally without human intervention and is in extension ). The peninsula of Guérande is one of the points most septentrional for this species.

Economy

industries

Guérande is the second city county of Nantes of the 12th century at the 19th century, then department of Loire-Atlantique, as well on the economic plan as by the number of inhabitants. Textile industry “in residence” there is very established until the 18th century. The administrative position, the production of salt and agriculture (breeding and vineyards) ensured this situation until the transfer towards Saint-Nazaire at the beginning of the 19th century of the administrations (sub-prefecture and court) and the industrial rise (naval construction and chemistry) of the estuary of the Loire. Its proximity with these new development centres economic, however enabled him to find thanks to the development of the transport infrastructures a new economic guideline.

The local economy is currently always mainly directed, by the surface which is devoted to him, towards agriculture (breeding of bovines and truck farming, this last in the course of regression, and salt industry with its derivatives). The recent regrouping of common however carried a stop to the productions of local interest, and allowed the extension of the large farms.

The tertiary sector and craft industry (SME) are particularly dynamic. The linked activities with tourism and the leisures (associated fashionable country inn, restoration, and trade) have been in constant increase for 20 years and form the majority basin of use of the commune.

The city sees in its walls, each week the “large market” of Saturday under the markets and in center town (goshawks of Collegial) and “the small” market Wednesday. The market of Guérande is an institution pluricentenaire (that of Saturday is former to the 12th century) always alive, and all the year.

Agriculture:

The slopes of Guérande, exposed to south-west are a soil favorable to the market-gardeners who produced a carrot orange red, average and large diameter: " the carrot guérandaise" , still cultivated with the academy of the plant species of the INRA.

On this slope was also produced a famous red wine, of good guard for the time - 3 to 5 years according to the years -, which was sold in the remainder of the Brittany and was exported towards England. This production regressed during 18th disappearing at the beginning of the 20th century. It passed through nevertheless the crisis of the Phyloxera, and some stocks still survive in abandoned pieces or slopes. The vines were planted in bottom of slope, of Trescalan with Careil mainly, on argillaceous and deep colluvionnés grounds. The most famous pieces were the " Closed Holy Aubin" , (or Closed of Pierre) between Guérande and Saillé, and the " Closed of Marsillé".

One still finds by-Ci by-there some rows of vines (with personal use) in the back country, with in particular some plans of Noah which have escaped with pulling up.

The mixed-farming is in general regression in the peninsula guérandaise, the land pressure and the economic profitability having been right mainly of this activity. The bovine breeding is in extension, particularly since the regrouping (end of the year 1980).

History

Old story, archeology

Prehistory

The area guérandaise, and its Peninsula, are occupied since Prehistory, in particular with the Neolithic average (Chasséen).

Several megaliths still testify to this occupation. Among those, let us note the Menhir of Bissin (high of 3,5 m), the stone of Congor (or of Saillé) (in the " Closed of Pierre" , still planted vines at the beginning of the century), the prehistoric habitat on a barred spur (of type Oppidum) and the shady walk ruined, on the ridges of Sandun , occupied site of the old Chasséen to the Bronze Age, the very large enclosure megalithic of Brétineau (or Hillock of Boga): quadrilateral of juxtaposed aligned menhirs, some high of 2 meters, with impressive dimensions = 78m by 12m, by doing one of the megalithic enclosures largest of Europe, located close to Sandun ( is not visited, private property ), the Dolmen ruined of Brandu with a Pétroglyphe engraved, the menhir of Kerhué (or Quéniquen), and in limit of commune on Saint-Lyphard, the Dolmens of Kerbourg and the menhir of Pierre Blanche, etc,…

(this list is limited to the megaliths announced on the charts or whose safeguarding does not make problem…)

The peninsula guérandaise only contains with it, more 50 % of the remaining monuments megalithic of the department of Loire-Atlantique.

The recent excavations of the site of habitat of Sandun currently refer for the chronology of the Atlantic Chasséen.

See also: List of the sites megalithic of Loire-Atlantique, Dolmens of Kerbourg, Tumulus de Dissignac

For older prehistory, rare testimonys of occupations were discovered, several archeological sites showed occupations going up with epipaleolithic and the Mesolithic (of microlithic industries type Tardenoisien, with or without " point of Chatelet" were found in several points of the commune). Isolated elements, let think of an occupation even older, (Moustérien, towards - 85.000 years) but the granitic grounds and the urbanization left only few elements.

. Farms and dwellings were highlighted on the whole of the territory of the commune, as well as whole of burials (unfortunately, excavated at the 19th century…). The strong density of vestiges encircling current the quoted medieval one can let suppose that quoted it of Guérande has been occupied for this period at least.

furnaces with salt , (standard trough furnace) were discovered in several points of the area. They show a first salt exploitation in peninsula guérandaise. Salt water and brines are evaporated on fire in troughs (of or the salt ignigene name), to produce salt breads which will be then exported on the large ones outdistances.

Several small layers of tin and Plomb are also exploited as of this time in the peninsula (with Batz-on-Sea and goshawks of Donges in particular) for the manufacture of the Bronze and of the ports of shipment of this metal are announced in the estuary of the Loire by the Greek geographers: Ptolémée of Alexandria and Strabon = Corbilo and Brivates Portus , but their current locations are pure conjectures… Donges (?) Saint-Nazaire, Penhoët (?), Clis (?) …

With the Âge of final Iron (Tène) the peninsula guérandaise is at the border between the Vénètes and the Namnètes. It is probably in the sphere of influence Vénète, at least for its Western part, (where two low steles were discovered, in Clis and the Madeleine), but it is mentioned by the ancient authors like territory Namnètes, the limit between the two cities being usually fixed on the Unpleasant one. The position of the Peninsula between Unpleasant the (Vicenonia into Gallic late) and the the Loire , one, inland waterway serving the Give again and the other, inland waterway between the Namnètes and the Pictons having an important port with Rezé, make important crossroads of it, including by sea with the Vénètes and the Greeks (Massaliotes in particular).

Antiquity, of the 1st century at the 5th century

The site of establishment of the medieval city did not show traces of Gallo-Roman monumental units, even if many vestiges attest of an occupation at that time, as of the 1st century according to some currencies and of the ceramics found during recent work. But archaeological research was very specific, and primarily on the periphery of the modern agglomeration (to the localities: Wood Rochefort , Pradonnais , Mill of Beaulieu , etc).

A way carossable connects this agglomeration to Nantes ( Namnetes Portus or Portus Namnetum called before Condivicnos ) by banks of the Loire, and another (called Paving stone of Beaulieu) with Vannes ( Darioritum ), while crossing the Vilaine by a bridge with Rieux ( Duretie ) or in boat with the Rock-Bernard. The site of establishment of the city east thus to the intersection of two ways suitable for motor vehicles.

The slope of Guérande and the back country are densément occupied at the 2nd century-3rd century by great farms ( villae ). A strong building density was in particular discovered with Clis at the 19th century or a monumental whole with apse of 66,90m on 49,50m was excavated by Leon Maitre. A wall in Opus regulatum high a meter, and length of ten, is still visible today between Clis and Maisons burned, in Réquer, semi slope on the slope (place known as: Castle Grannon ).

At the 4th century, Guérande belongs to the Roman province " Lugdunensis Tertia" and of the Archbishop's palace of Turns, and a garrison is stationed there. The area is évangélisée under the control of Saint-Germain the Resident of Auxerre between 420 and 448. The Armorican ones, in 448, drive out the Romans temporarily area. Of return, the Roman garrison is established with Grannona (that an assumption compares to Château Grannon close to Clis, to see preceding paragraph).

Collapse of the Romain Empire, into the 5th century, until 486 (Battle of Soissons) the peninsula guérandaise, is integrated into the last and short Gallo-Roman kingdom of Syagrius. An assumption assimilates one of the residences ( Villae ) of this last " Roi" , called Clivus (or Clivius ), at the village of Clis.

Early middle ages (486) with the French revolution

Breton colonization with feudality: 6th century at the 11th century

See also: Breton Emigration in Armorique; Armorique with the Early middle ages; Yearly of Saint-Bertin for the period former to the 10th century.

The territory of the peninsula of Guérande is, following the takeover by the Francs of the Neustrie (after the Bataille of Soissons), placed under their influence. The county of Nantes ensures within the framework of the Marches of Brittany maintains it of this situation. But towards 560, a battle opposes Clotaire, future King of the Francs and Canao Ier, Breton King, probably in peninsula of Guérande. With the occupation, at the same period, of Nantes by Lambert II, the peninsula of Guérande, hitherto included in the Steps of Brittany and held by the Frank , rocks as from this period in Breton territory.

the Fondation of the city of Guérande is dated with the Early middle ages, during the moitiée second of the 6th century. Indeed, according to posterior medieval sources, the foundation of the Bro Wenrann and that of the continuous ocupation of the site until today, are allotted to the contemporary Breton colonization of the king of the Broërec Waroch II, between 575 and 595. The city is established around a church from where the probable origin of the name of the city = “field/piece, devoted/pure” (see low: origin of the name of Guérande).

This implantatoin urban Breton was done correlatively with the interview in the residence of Waroch known as Aula Quiriaca with Saint Felix, bishop of Nantes and the well-read man and future bishop of Poitiers, Saint Fortunat that this last pays in its Epistola . This meeting, located towards 580, between these three important characters makes think of “negotiations” between the three parties having strategic interests between the Loire and Vilaine. It is as reported as the Breton projection is stopped with Saint-Nazaire in 577 by a divine intromission… is necessary it to see a bond between all these elements?.

“Bro Wenrann” of the 6th century at the 9th century extended much the vaster than the Peninsula of Guérande, it largely overflows the geographical peninsula, including South: Donges, in the East: Pontchâteau and in North: the Rock-Bernard.

A population of Breton colonists coming from insular Brittany (of the Cornouailles) is established durably in the area at the 6th century. She will be reinforced by one second wave of immigrants during the next century. The Pays guérandais (between Brière and the Atlantic) constitutes the projection more in the South of the language Bretonne (limit southern of the place names in Ker-; more than 50% of the toponyms of the commune some are Breton origins).

The city (Re) finds its Patron saint with the translation of the relics of Saint Aubin at the latest during second half of the 7th century. A tough tradition made of Holy Aubin a native. Aubin of Angers was monk then abbot with the monastery of Tincillac in Bro Wenrann , which it leaves to become bishop of Angers of 529 with 550.

Towards 800, Charlemagne very temporarily reconquers the territories between the Loire and Vilaine, as well as the south of the Country of Valves (or Broërec) in particular the Presqu'île of Rhuys and Vannes. The Steps are then reconstituted, but the populations of Breton language remain in the peninsula of Guérande.

The religious institutions develop in the city as the construction of one second church at the 8th century shows it and which one found elements altered under current Collégiale. Nominoë, King and unifier of Brittany, founds one évéché (very temporary) in Guérande, and thus separates the area guérandaise from the évêché of Nantes, under franque influence, to attach it to the Breton influence, and archévéché the of Dol. In 851, following the Battle of Large-Fougeray the, Charles the Bald person, Co-Emperor and King of the Francs, and Erispoë, “hereditary” King of Brittany, meet with Angers to sign the Traité of Angers which gives to Brittany the countries of Rennes, the Nantes one and the Country of Retz (left northern the Herbauges). Thereafter, the country of Guérande will remain until 1789 in the Duchy of Brittany.

Following this treaty, probably in a concern of appaisement of the relations with archevéché of Tours and évéché of Nantes, évéché of Guérande is removed, and the Country of Guérande is definitively attached to évéché of Nantes in 857 . Of this political situation remained a double supervision on the town of Guérande: the bishop of Nantes and the Duke of Brittany will share until the Revolution the rights and properties on the city.

It is in 854 that appears the first written mention known (and clarifies) town of Guérande. Then, in 854-855 the first written mentions of the saltworks in the neighborhoods of Guérande appear: with Clis and Saillé. If the harvest of salt is a very old practice, this document shows that the construction of the saltworks, according to the current design of the salt-water marshes of Guérande, is done well before the 9th century. (It is probably about a Gallo-Roman heritage.)

Towards 870 , King Solomon of Brittany, installs with the head of the parish of Guérande and the churches and vaults which are attached there, a chapter of fourteen Chanoines. The chapter of Guérande is thus one of the older of France.

The area is assigned by several incursions of the Normands from 843 to 1013 (see Histoire of Nantes). These incursions will have as a consequence the political and economic disorganization of the area, as well as all Brittany. The monastic establishments are given up, and the monks, fold up Angers upstream. Towards 900 , the Norman ones will settle in peninsula of Guérande like in the estuary of the Loire, where a durable establishment will be even tried.

the Miracle of Saint-Aubin : In this context, in 919 , Saint Aubin would have made a miraculous appearance, armed white knight (in certain versions on a white horse), ( alba = white in Latin, from where probable etymological association with Albin, Aubin). It gives again force and courage with the militia of the city, which it takes under its will have to drive out of Norman which besieged the city.

In 939, the Norman ones leave Brittany, the raids are done rarer after 960, the Country of Guérande takes again its place in the Duché of Brittany which reorganizes under the rêgne Alain Barbetorte known as '' Al louarn ''.

The Middle Ages to the War of succession

With died from Alain the Large one, count de Vannes, Alain Barbetorte receives in division of the grounds and from the prerogatives in Guérande and neighborhood, another part will go to évéchée of Valves.

At the 11th century, old the Plou Wen-rann is divided into three seigneureries: Châtellenie of " Guerrande ", of Breton language, the châtellenie of the Bridge (Pontchâteau), and the Viscount of Donges, these two last mainly of language gallèse.

In Guérande, the authority duccale is reinforced, and a Vicarius (or Viguier) is attested towards 1065 . The city thus remains under the direct supervision of the Dukes. It is probable that it is at that time that the bishop of Nantes installs, simultaneously with the viguier, a Sénéchal of Régaires downtown after having begun again the goods and right of évéché of Valves.

At the 12th century beginning 13th century, a collegial news is built in Romance style (capitals historiés in the nave, final Romance style “pre-Gothic”) on the older foundations. The city takes its current extension at that time, and of the fortifications are built. The town of Guérande then obtains a fleet of ships carriers which will export salt and the wine on the French dimensions and towards the countries of Northern Europe, particularly England. The Loire and the Unpleasant one are then also important commercial axes. The strike of Traict, in the salt-water marshes, is used like port, the ships go up some of the étiers of the salt-water marshes (sector of the hamlets of Congor and Pradel) to charge the wines and salt.

In 1206, Philippe Auguste relieves Viguiers ( Vicarius ), with the profit of royal Seneshals. Guérande is then integral part of the Seneschalsy of Nantes, whose limits are assimilated to that of évéché and the county. The chatellenie of Guérande is very temporarily divided between André of Glazed and Eude (or Eudon) of Chateaubriant. In 1207, Philippe Auguste returns the Duchy to Guy de Thouars and Chatellenie de Guérande is reconstituted. In 1214, an act of arbitration announces that Guérande is at the “disposal” of Pierre Mauclerc, Baillistre of Brittany.

July 13rd 1312, a bubble of the pope Clément V institutes a Provost with miter and stick with the head of the chapter of the Collegial one. The nomination of the Provost will be then systematically ratified by the Pope and the Duke of Brittany, then the King of France. Crowned the college will be dissolves with the Revolution. (See the table of Catrou Jacob in the Collegial one, painted in 1642, classified MH). In the Chapter is assistant, a theological (acting as Quarry of the Parish) and a manufactures which manages the goods of the parish. Moreover, the College with the management of a psalette (chorus and school of singers), of a serpentery (music school and musicians) and of a regency (school open to the psalteurs and the children of the parishioners which make their “humanities there”).

In 1341, during the institution of the Gabelle, tax on the trade of salt, Guérande, city producing of salt, is exempted by it. The trade of salt towards Brittany and the north of France (for the salting of fish, in particular towards Boulogne-sur-Mer in Picardy), as well as Northern Europe, allows the economic advancement of the area guérandaise. The inexorable stranding of Traict and the increase in the gauging of the ships will move the port activities towards Croisic and the handle of the Pouliguen as from the 14th century.

Guérande during the War of succession of Brittany (1341-1364)

The War of succession of Brittany is placed in the more general context of the Guerre one hundred year old. This war of succession will have as a consequence, in spite of the destruction of the town of Guérande, to give again a breath with the Area.

An act dated December 26th, 1332 indicates that Guerrande, Baath and Saillé belongs to Jean of Brittany, Count de Monfort. It is a good which comes to him from his/her mother Yolande de Dreux, countess of Montfort Amaury, downward of Pierre Mauclerc, and it is the only prerogative which it then has in the Duchy of Brittany. The City thus takes the party of Jean de Monfort, followed by a score of other Breton fortified towns. These particular bonds will be at the origin of the attachment which the Dukes of Brittany will show after the conflict, with the area guérandaise.

Spring 1342 : the bag of Guérande , by the Spanish troops and gènoises under the command of Louis of Spain, named Admiral de France, of the Party of Charles of Blois . After a short seat, the city and the churches are plundered and the prey of the flames if one believes the account of Jean Froissart of it. The population would have passed to the wire of the sword (8000 died according to sources of times close to Louis of Spain, but probably very exaggerated… because there were only 4000 to 5000 inhabitants in the city and the suburbs). The Franco-Spanish troops démentellent the fortifications.

This bag would be only one knack with the limited concéquences, because as of the following year, during 1343, the place of Guérande is always under the authority of Jean de Montfort and administered for him by Guillaume of the Orchard (with the title of Lieutenant of the Count). Troops station there, and it makes repair the fortifications and reinforces them by digging ditches. The troops of Charles of Blois are again goshawks of Guérande during the summer 1344, this seat seems to be still concluded by a rédition from the city.

In 1345, Jean de Montfort dies, but his/her son, the future Jean IV continues the conflict. The troops guérandaises remain faithful to the Monfort party, although the bishop of Nantes passed to the party of Blois.

on April 12th 1365, the first treaty of Guérande is signed in Collegial Saint-Aubin in the course of rebuilding, symbolic system place for victorious the Monfort party, since this city was its only personal possession in Brittany at the beginning of the conflict. This treaty puts an end to the War of succession of Brittany and sees Jeanne de Penthièvre giving up the duchy in favor of the son of Jean de Montfort, Jean IV.

See also: First Treated of Guérande (1365)

Found peace, in 1365: Guérande, duccale city, become the seat of a Seneschalsy (royal), distinct from that of Nantes, which extends on thirteen parishes, that is to say almost all the Peninsula: of Herbignac, Assérac, Mesquer, Saint-Molf in North, until Saint-Nazaire and Mounting block-of-Brittany in the South. Croisic and Batz-on-Sea are integrated there. Donges remains managed by the Seneschalsy of Nantes.

The noble Breton ones rebel against Jean IV who exiles himself in England (in its possessions of Richemont), the King of France tries to take Brittany in 1378, benefitting from this situation. The Breton nobility points out Jean IV and the conflict begins again against France.

In 1371: New head office and catch of Guérande by Bertrand of Guesclin, then Olivier III, lord of Clisson tries to take the city in 1379.

a second treaty of Guérande is signed the April 4th 1381 between the duke Jean IV and Charles VI in the vault of Notre-Dame the White one (intramuros) lately rebuilt who puts an end to the problems of succession of the duchy of Brittany and clarifies the relationship between the Kingdom of France and the Duchy of Brittany.

See also : Second Treated of Guérande (1381)

Sign these new times of peace, in 1386 the Marriage of Jean IV, Duc of Brittany, with Jeanne de Navarre, is celebrated with Saillé (Common of Guérande), in the middle of the salt-water marshes.

End of independence to the Revolution

After the conflicts, the current ramparts are built on the ruins of the former fortifications, primarily under the reign of François II, duke of Brittany. (Of the elements of the former rampart are visible between the Tower Holy-Anne and the Vannetaise door and on the level of the door of Saillé).

In 1404 is approved the creation of the Dominican convent Saint-Yves located in the Bizienne suburb, by the Duke of Brittany Jean V, and confirmed by the Pope Benoit XIII in 1409 whereas its construction is started. In 1405, the Duke founds an annual fair of the May 20th and 21st, with the profit of this monastery.

By a letter of April 9th, 1484 of Anne of Brittany, duchess of Brittany, " annoblit salt-water Marshes, exempting them of taxes… ". Guérandais will not forget these privileges, like those given to the inhabitants of Large the Brière. These privileges are granted at the time of the “insane Guerre”, in full mobilization, compensation of the supply of troops and to make sure of financial city supports lasting this conflict. (The current joint possession and the joint management of the Marshes of Large Brière are a remainder of these letters patent).

Anne of Brittany in memory of its many stays in “its good city”, and of its fidelity at the House of Montfort, would have given according to the tradition, a crown of gold with Guérande, disappeared, one from money with Saillé (commune of Guérande), disappeared, and one of gilded copper with Trescalan (today in the commune of Turballe), existing still, and always carried by the grooms at the time of their weddings.

1532 : perpetual edict of union of the Duchy of Brittany to the crown of France.

Demolition of the " Castle " at the request of the States of Brittany in 1614. This " Logis" strengthened had been used as Seigneuriale House to the Dukes of Brittany for their stays in Guérande and of monetary workshop for Jean de Montfort during the War of succession of Brittany, between 1341 and 1364. The " Street of the Gaillard" Castle; commemorate its existence, but its precise localization remains dubious fault of archaeological research and precise historical texts. The Door Saint-Michel was used as home to Lieutenant de Police and to Lieutenant Militaire of the Place of Guérande, representing the Duke of Brittany, it was thus not the residence seigneuriale.

The States of Brittany meet several times at Guérande, (in 1625 in particular) probably in the building being used of Mob and Court which was localized with the site of the current markets or in the Saint-Yves monastery. The Chapter and the Ville of Guérande appointed each one with the States and the Parlement of Brittany.

During the 17th century and 18th century the city changes, of the middle-class granite residences the houses of the 15th century and 16th century replace. These private mansions and these houses represent nearly visible 50% of the frames today in the sector will intra muros.

The nobility of the peninsula of Guérande, and particularly that of the city, joint with the “Conspiracy of Pontcallec” between 1717 and 1719. The majority of enter them will sign the act of union of the “conspiracy”. Among the families which united with the conspiracy, one finds the Morvan de Kerpondarmes (then appointed of Guérande to the States of Brittany), the Rohan-Pouldu (which have a town hall and grounds in the peninsula), the of Kerpoisson , Rollan, Roger, Lizet, etc the conspirators then strongly armed oneself, in waiting of a reinforcement of Spanish troops, which will never arrive.

In 1789, the Dominican convent, located at the end of the “Bizienne suburb” (towards Turballe and Piriac) is sold like “national good”, and mainly destroyed at this period while serving as “career”.

Modern and contemporary time

XIXe and XXe centuries

During the creation of the communes then departments between 1790 and 1794, the Seneschalsy of Guérande (or Campsillon) is parcelled out. The parishes which were attached there become communes as many. The communal territory includes/understands nothing any more but 4 parishes or Trier: Guérande, Saillé, Trescalan and the Madeleine . The borough of the Madeleine is even cut into two with Saint Lyphard. The “country of Guérande” loses its old administrative organization then, the limit between Morbihan and the Loire-Inférieure cuts down also the Guérandais Country by three communes in the North of the Peninsula: Pénestin old trève of the Parish of Assérac, Camoël and old Férel Trier of the Parish of Herbignac. Guérande becomes a Chief town of Canton, (of the district of Savenay, then of Saint-Nazaire). By losing its role of religious and administrative center, the city loses its middle-class and its trade.

In 1865, new parcelling out of the commune of Guérande by the separation of the parish of Trescalan , which will devriendra the commune of thereafter Turballe, which causes anticipated municipal elections.

XIXe and XXe centuries: the industrialization of the production of salt in the saline ones of the South and the East, causes the fall of the courses of salt and the collapse of the trade of the salt of the saltworks of the Atlantic dimension. The economic development and industrialist of Saint-Nazaire, insulate the Guérandais Country, which turns to its agricultural resources (breeding and Maraichés). The life city at the rate/rhythm of the monthly Cattle fairs, with in point of annual organ the fair with oxen and the pigs of June 30th which attracts purchasers and salesmen of all the area, and very beyond that.

The arrival of the trains and the rise of tourism

The emergence of the seaside resorts (La Baule) and of tourism, then the construction of the railway La Baule - Guérande, junction of the Saint-Nazaire line - Croisic, between 1872 and 1879, gives again a new economic breath to him, and allows the development of the trade of the bovines towards Nantes. The preliminary Draft envisaged the prolongation until the Rock-Bernard. May 11th, 1879, inauguration of the Station and the way connecting La Baule to Guérande. Initially, three passenger trains serve Guérande each day, then six per day.

With the site of the barracks of the firemen and gendarmerie was the station of the Line with metric gauge track of local interest “Guérande, Turballe, Piriac, Herbignac”, of the Compagnie of Morbihan (CM). This open line in 1906 functioned until 1935. During this period, one raccordemant with Herbignac towards the Rock-Bernard and the network of the same company in the south of Morbihan, connected Guérande to Vannes and the Presqu'île of Rhuys.

The line of the state Guérande - La Baule is on the decline as from 1940: the passenger traffic is reduced to working trains towards Saint-Nazaire. Then in 1955, the passenger traffic on the Guérande line - La Baule ceases definitively, but the goods traffic continues until July 1971.

In 1970 - 1971: Creation of the Regional natural park of Brière, one of the first regional park of France. The Northern side of the slope of Guérande, towards the marshes of Large Brière, is in its perimeter. The limit of the Natural park corresponds to the layout of a future expressway " The road bleue" who must connect Saint-Nazaire to Vannes, by the stopping of Arzal on Unpleasant the. Only the section Saint Nazaire in Guérande is carried out today.

The portion of railways between the station of Guérande and the industrial Park of Villejames is displaced in 1981, as well as the station. The remainder of the way until Baule will be displaced in 1990. The Station is destroyed to create a transitory retail park and the arts center Athanor. This sector of the east city in the course of transformation, after the creation of a landscape zone (green casting, towards the Wood Rochefort ) with the construction of a cinema multiplexes (6 rooms).

Blasonnement

Two blasonnements are brought back: Of mouths, with two busy money lions. ( image opposite on the left ).

Also exist in the form: Of Mouth, with two money lions passing, the chief of hermines .

Of money with 15 mouchetures of hermine, posed 5,4,3,2,1, the ecu stamped of a helmeted money lion, and supported by two so helmeted lions of same. ( images opposite on the right ).

These are the last weapons which appeared, until the years 1990, on the official municipal documents.

These last armorial bearings with hermines were conceded at the City, in 1819, by Charles X,

but their use seems former, because they are reproduced already on the stamp of the clock of Collegial gone back to 1642 (classified MH).

This blazon, (stamped crown, and surrounded of the cordelière of the Duchess Anne) is also that which is reproduced on the Saint-Michel door (but the actual position made following the restorations of the Saint-Michel door of 1895-1900).

The town of Guérande would have a flag, resembling that of Quebec = black cross, with a moucheture of hermine in each district, carried by the ships armed by the City, in particular for the trade of salt and the wine towards Northern Europe.

Etymology, Language

Peninsula of Guérande: a linguistic limit

The Breton language, established as of the 6th century, will be the vernacular language of the commune of Guérande until the end of the 18th century, and will disappear from the peninsula guérandaise only in the years 1960 (to speak near to vannetais), in competition with the speech Gallo, language Romance of High-Brittany. This maintenance of Breton is explained in party by the economic links with the remainder of Brittany. Today, the speakers of the gallo are also in process of extinction in the area: the language of the local peasants is in general of tinted French of gallo (disappearance of the conjugations and diphthongizations) and of bretonnisms (a hundred approximately).

Origin of the name of Guérande

The name was spelled Guerrande until the 18th century.

The name is resulting from two Breton words:

gwenn (“white” into Breton modern but also “pure, crowned” formerly),
and rann (“piece”).

In Breton modern, Guérande is written Gwerrann or Gwenrann . The inhabitants are called Gwenranniz ( Gwenrannad in the singular).

Four assumptions exist as for the etymology of Guérande:

White Country : country ( rann ) within the meaning of territory and white ( gwenn ) referring to the saltworks. This tempting translation because impressed of a salinity all guérandaise ignores the exact direction of the Old man-Breton word rann in : leaves, left within the meaning of plot of land , field . The direction given to rann of territory or sudivison of a country exists only into Breton modern. This assumption evoked by Leon Maître in 1894 and largely taken again by the tourist guides thus does not find any echo in the specialists in the Breton one.
Vindo-Randa : Guérande would be according to Alain Galicia (1995) a bretonnisation of the Gaulois vindo-randa (“uncultivated land”; the word gave French wild rabbit), Celtic composition strictly identical in direction and form to Breton the gwenn-rann . However the name of Guérande is attested only as from the 9th century: this date seems too late for the resumption of a Gallic name in a place (goshawks of current Collègiale) which, in addition, seems to be occupied only as from the 4th century as well as possible.
Piece in waste land : we find the same one feel as in the Gallic hyptohèse, but this time they are the Breton ones which would have found a place abandoned and cover of ruins. Joseph Loth (1883) rests on the Welsh gwynn which can mean “in waste land”, to support this assumption taken again by Henri Quilgars (1910). However this direction does not seem not attested into Breton for gwenn .
devoted Piece : Gildas Buron recalls that the first certificate of Guérande mentions in 854 “ ecclesia quae dicitur Wenran ”. It was thus of a church and a parish, but not of a country, a borough or an area. Archaeological excavations moreover showed the presence of a cemetery of time mérovingienne around this primitive church. It is thus probably about a “ pure piece , devoted ”, this direction being appropriate for the adjective gwenn as with the word rann , but also with the nature of the occupation of the places.
By aillor, Erwan Valerie underlines, in a relatively restricted area, the existance of three close toponyms: in addition to Guérande ( Wenrann ), it is necessary to also note: Guémené ( Winmonid , monid or carry out for hill), and Guenrouet ( Wenroued , roued for way/passage to ford), all of the same structure: based on the wenn root (or win), which reinforces the idea that the white direction (gwen) for this root is to be taken with caution. (it can also be added to this list: Vindunita insula Latin transcription of the old Breton name of Besné)

Old forms of the name Guérande:

Werran 854,
Uuenran July 8th, 857,
Uuerran July 10th, 865,
Uuenrann February 5th, 870,
Guarranda and Guerrandioe 1070,
Gerran 1112,1114 and 1139,
Guerrandia 1112,
Varrandi 1178-1241,
Garrande 1305,
Guerrande 1311.

The form attested in 1872 in the Breton dialect of Batz-on-Sea, common neighbor, is Uéreñn . The absence of gw- initial is surprising there.

There exist other indirect certificates of the name of Guérande into Breton vannetais: the word guéran attested in 1774 within the meaning of “muleteer, salt maker”, and also the expression -guéran (literally “dress of Guérande”) which indicates a blouse of peasant.

Origin of the name of Saillé

One identifies this village in the middle of the salt-water marshes with the Villa Saliacum which one finds in documents former to the year 1000 (donation with the monks of Saint-Aubin of Angers in 971). This name would imply a Gallo-Roman origin. These monks were established and there founded a priory there. The Breton form of the name of Saillé is Selak (form attested at the 20th century with Batz-on-Sea).

Administration

the city is initially managed under the double tuelle of a Seneshal of Régaires named by the bishop of Nantes and of Viguier named by the Duke of Brittany. First Viguiers known are Geoffroy (about 1065), Rouaud (1066-1084 then in 1086), a Geoffroy again, then his Berard son about 1145.

At least starting from 1451 , the city is managed under the authority of a Prosecutor-Syndic , is named by the urban community and parochial, within the Général , and appoints before this date in the States of Brittany.

Towards 1550 , until 1692: the Prosecutor-Syndic is replaced by a Maire named by the middle-class men of the parishes of Guérande, Saillé and Trescalan.

1692 - 1789 : The function of Mayor of Guérande becomes a venal load. The function then is often occupied by the deputy of the city in the States or the Parliament of Brittany, or rather often by the Seneshal of the city.

List of the mayors of Guérande under the old mode:

François DUHIL, sior of Breil, in 1696;
Guillaume CALVE, sior of Touloc, in 1700;
Guillaume LARAGON, sior of Kerbézo, in 1713;
Thomas HEMERY, lawyer, in 1716;
the TEXIER, sior of Kerhillier, in 1718;
Rene BOURDIC, sior of Guémadeuc, Seneshal of Régaires, in 1722;
Louis SHEEP, lawyer at the Parliament of Brittany, in 1733;
Rene BOUDIC, in 1734;
the sior BAKER of the GILLARDAIS, in 1740;
the sior GANNAT, lawyer, in 1744;
in 1745, the situation is confused: one finds Christophe GEORGELIN, sior of Maufredais, then DUVIVIER, clerk of the Seneschalsy;
again, GANNAT, in 1748;
Joseph TIFFOCHE, Seneshal of Régaires, lawyer with the Course the Accounts and subdelegated Intendance of Brittany, in 1750;
Gabriel VRIGNAUX of PLUSQUEPOIS, allocated Seneschalsy and general lieutenant of Police force, in 1764;
sior TIFFOCHE (wire?), in 1765;
the sior BELLIOTTE, sior of the City-Alain, in 1766;
Gabriel VRIGNAUD, again in 1776;
sior AMELOT, in 1779;
sior ROUAULT of Villemartin, Prosecutor of the Seneschalsy, in 1786

(This list is incomplete, the dates indicated are those of the acts on which the name is reproduced, often that of their entry or end of function). The load in general was bought for one four years period.

the period 1790 - 1800 saw several municipal officials with the variable statutes following one another.

August 1st

the first Mayor , with functions such as we know them today, is elected under the Consulate in 1800 (Constitution of year VIII, Loi of administrative organization of France of the 28 pluviôse year VIII = February 17th, 1800), as in all the communes of France.

|- | || ||align=center| Consulate - Ier Worsens || |- | align=left| 1800 || 1806 ||Jean-Marie Chotard||align=" center" | || General adviser and Appointed |- | align=left| 1806 || 1816 ||Louis-Armand Merese||align=" center" | || Notary |- | || ||align=center| Restoration - Monarchy of July |- | align=left| 1816 || 1821 ||Louis-Jacques de Secillon||align=" center" | || Lieutenant-colonel - Order of the Saint Spirit |- | align=left| 1821 || 1830 ||Louis-Marie de Couëssin||align=" center" | || Commander |- | align=left| 1830 || ||Felix Thomas Quilgars||align=" center" | || Notary then Justice of the Peace |- | align=left| 1830 || 1833 ||Gilles Muterse of the City in Blaye||align=" center" | || - |- | align=left| 1833 || ||François Victor Frangeul||align=" center" | || Baker |- | align=left| 1833 || 1847 ||Louis Armand Merese||align=" center" | || Notary - General adviser |- | align=left| 1847 || ||Jerome Bernus||align=" center" | || Hirer out of Car then Jeweller |- | align=left| 1847 || 1848 ||Jean Kerguistel||align=" center" | || Doctor |- | align=left| 1848 || ||Citizen - Challau||align=" center" | || - |- | || ||align=center| IIe Republic |- | align=left| 1848 || 1849 ||François-Louis Baker of Pellan||align=" center" | || Owner (Count) |- | align=left| 1849 || 1851 ||Jean Kerguistel||align=" center" | || Doctor |- | align=left| 1852 || ||François Victor Frangeul||align=" center" | || Veterinary surgeon |- | || ||align=center| IIe Worsens |- | align=left| 1852 || 1854 ||Quiet-Louis de Morat||align=" center" | || - |- | align=left| 1854 || 1855 ||Emile Antoine Merese||align=" center" | || Doctor (death 1855) |- | align=left| 1855 || 1860 ||François-Louis-Marie Baker of Pellan||align=" center" | || - (death 1860) |- | align=left| 1860 || 1861 ||Jacques Marie MARTIN of the MOUTTE||align=" center" | || Principal receiver of the Customs |- | align=left| 1861 || 1865 ||Henri ISLE of BEAUCHAINE||align=" center" | || Owner (Count) |- | align=left| 1865 || 1870 ||Gustave LALLEMENT||align=" center" | || - |- | align=left| 1870 || 1871 ||Emile GRAZAIS||align=" center" | || Doctor |- | || ||align=center| IIIe Republic |- | align=left| 1871 || 1878 ||François-Louis-Marie BAKER of PELLAN (wire)||align=" center" | || Owner (Viscount) |- | align=left| 1878 || ||Pierre-Marie of the BOUAYS of COUESBOUC||align=" center" | || Doctor |- | align=left| 1878 || 1879 ||Edouard of MONTI||align=" center" | || - |- | align=left| 1880 || ||Paul QUIROUARD||align=" center" | || Notary |- | align=left| 1881 || 1882 ||Jean-Baptite DUBOIS||align=" center" | || Trading |- | align=left| 1882 || 1882 ||Eugene of BREGEOT||align=" center" | || Owner |- | align=left| 1883 || 1884 ||Louis of COUËSSION||align=" center" | || Owner |- | align=left| 1884 || 1887 ||Emile GRAZAIS||align=" center" | || Doctor |- | align=left| 1887 || 1889 ||Paul the QUEN of ENTREMEUSE||align=" center" | || Owner |- | align=left| 1889 || 1892 ||Jean-Baptiste DUBOIS||align=" center" | || Owner |- | align=left| 1892 || 1912 ||Paul Gustave the QUEN of ENTREMEUSE||align=" center" | || Owner |- | align=left| 1912 || 1929 ||Emile Pourieux||align=" center" | || Trader |- | align=left| 1929 || 1935 ||Joseph Bigare ||align=" center" | || Owner |- | align=left| 1935 || 1945 ||Paul Pichelin||align=" center" | || Colonel |- | || ||align=center| IVe and Ve République |- | align=left| 1945 || 1958 ||Emile Pourieux (wire)||align=" center" | Div.D. || Trader |- | align=left| 1958 || 1979 ||Domestic Jean||align=" center" | UDR || Accountant |- | align=left| 1979 || 1986 ||Jean Rousseau||align=" center" | UDR || Building contractor |- | align=left| 1986 || 1995 ||Michel Rabreau||align=" center" | RPR || Pharmacist |- | align=left| 1995 || 2006 ||Jean-Pierre Dhonneur ||align=" center" | UMP ||Bank manager|| |- | align=right| 2006 || 2008 ||Annick Mahé||align=" center" | UMP ||

Death of Jean-Pierre Dhonneur on September 12th, 2006 with the Morocco

Demography

Twinning

Guérande is twinned with:

Places and monuments

The strengthened urban enclosure, XIIIe - XVIe centuries

Classified Historic building in 1877.

the enclosure of Guérande is one of the rare ones which is to us complete parvenue, it one of best is preserved France, which only was little altered since its final construction and very little " restaurée" at the 19th century…

It currently includes/understands 10 turns, 4 doors, including two flaquées of turns, and a Poterne (opened at the 19th century), connected by a curtain, over a length of 1,434 kilometer ( For comparison: City of Carcassonne, 1,250 km for the interior enclosure ). It took its current aspect following the Sac of Guérande by the Troops of Louis of Spain in 1342.

The first installations landscapes were carried out by Emmanuel-Armand de Wignerod Of Plessix Richelieu, duke of Pivot , general lieutenant of Brittany of 1753 to 1765, with plantations of elms, the filling of the ditches, arrasement of the boulevards and the installation of the email, giving with the growth of the trees a very romantic charm which will bring Balzac, Zola, Flaubert and much of others to reside or visit the city at the 19th century.

A tower was destroyed by a resident in 1818 to open a privative door (the tower Sainte Catherine), which then started an awakening of the interest of this inheritance and its classification in the first inventories of the historic buildings.

The enclosure was the subject of recent restorations (since the years 1970) to consolidate it and restore the confirmed elements of rises. The Elm S reached by a epidemic and died in the years 1980, were not replaced by other gasolines. Only those planted on the Email, classified Historic building, were replaced by new elms resistant to the disease.

Door Saint Michel: built about 1440-1450, the cover is installation at the 17th century. Restored at the 19th century. Occupied a time by the Town hall, it left room to the Museum of the Friends of Guérande, founded in 1928, which gathers an interesting collection of caps and traditional costumes of the Peninsula of Guérande, as well as archaeological collections and the Treasury of the Collegial one. This door dominates the Place of the Market to the Wood, on which the Cattle fairs were held.

Vannetaise Door: 13th century. It is one of the older elements the of the enclosure, it is of style “philippien”. Certain authors advance the assumption that this door was one of the elements of the " Château" , or strengthened Home being used as residence to the Dukes of Brittany, others, which it was related to the residence of the bishop of Nantes called “évéché”.

Door of Saillé: 16th century. As for the Bizienne door (more recent) is made up only of one simple opening apparently little strengthened, makes the external ground fortifications of them, arrasées at the 18th century, provided this defensive function.

the turns of Kerbernet, Saint-Anne, Theological, and of Gaudinais are middle of the 15th century, the Midsummer's Day tower is beginning of the 15th century. The tower of the Feeding trough goes back to 1460-1470.

the Email or Boulevard, built at the end of the 15th century or at the beginning 16th century, located between the Door Michel saint and the door of Saillé for the still preserved part, constituted a first line of defense, in reinforcement of the ramparts becoming less and less effective with the development of artillery of attack, and made it possible of more than deploy guns there. Its current aspect results from installations of the Duke Of Pivot which made it raise and transform into raised walk.

the Ditches, dry in the beginning, were dug between the Email and the ramparts to reinforce the fortifications (visible between the Bizienne door and the Vannetaise Door, filled on the remainder of the enclosure).

After the translation of the relics of Saint-Aubin of Angers, a second larger building is built before the 9th century. This building will very quickly be surrounded by a cemetery. One of the Sarcophagi found under the current heart at the 19th century was deposited in the Low Vault or crypt of the Collegial one.

the incursions of Norman, with the important consequences in the area, oblige with the rebuilding of the buildings, in Romance style traditional. This phase ends in the construction of the principal frontage at the 13th century.

Visible elements of this stage = 8 columns with capitals historiés in the nave (7 of the capitals are Romance (12th century), 8th was remade at the 19th century following the collapse of the frontage, to see will infra ), as well as sculptures in re-employment 13th century in the current frontage.

After the Bag of Guérande, 1342, and the War of succession of Brittany, the Collegial one ruined is rebuilt as from 1380 in Gothic style: the southern transept and the Crypt at the 14th century, the northern transept and the heart at the 15th century. A new Gothic frontage finishes the building, the frame on the transepts is posed in 1541.

16th century: pose stained glasses of saint-Aubin and Saint-Julien (left and right-hand side of the heart)

17th century: pose large stained glass of the crowning of the virgin, in the center of the bedside. Furniture of the church: Stalls, Furnace bridges, Jubé (removed in 1804, and entered with the Museum from Cluny to Paris (currently National museum of the Middle Ages, N°inv. 1604) and since its central door are placing on tip at the Museum of the Door Saint-Michel), and installation of the Sacristy.

In 1705, a hurricane destroys the bell-tower of Renaissance style in top of the frontage. A new arrow is built, it will be destroyed by a tempète in 1785.

In 1789-1790, the church is dilapidated, the organ pipes are molten, the bells too. The church will temporarily be used for the worship To be it Supreme. The church is returned to the worship in 1802.

1864 : construction of the micaceous chalk vaults, with the top of the heart and the transepts. The vaults of the nave and its collateral will be carried out between 1876 and 1885.

1872 : construction of an arrow in neo-gothic style at the top of the frontage on the basis of pinnacle rebirth. Cracks are already apparent whereas work is in hand…

on November 28th, 1876, the bell-tower of the clock on the frontage, crumbles and carries with him most of the frontage and first crossed nave. The restaurantion is finished in 1885, the frontage is rebuilt by taking again the maximum of old blocks. The external Chaire is (15th century), although partially dismounted and gone back to the identical one.

1891 : deposit of the relics of saint Solomon III (duke of Brittany and founder of crowned college).

1899 : Archaeological excavations of Main Leon, under the chorus, in order to restore the level of the ground of origin.

1903 : Construction of the central bell-tower, to replace a small bell-tower in pepper plantation builds in 1580.

, called Aula Clis then, this village has an interesting architecture and several still visible archaeological vestiges.

Roman Wall (in opus regulatum very characteristic) (3rd century?) still visible on ten meter and high of more than one meter. placed in limits of private properties, its state degrades fault of maintenance.

Fountain " Gallo-romaine" , the actual position corresponds more to architecture of the 16th century.

Vault Holy Catherine of the 15th century, partially destroyed with the revolution and rebuilt in 1812.

Cross of Requer , close to Clis - naive figuration very old of Christ in cross on a face and of a virgin to the Child on the other, the 13th century, and placed on a base rebuilds in 1825. Classified Historic building in 1944.

Village of Saillé

Located on a peninsula in the middle of the salt-water marshes, village with traditional architecture: dissymmetrical frontage with a curved door, attic windows in dog sitting with triangular pediment, and crossette projecting in edge of roof.

Old monastic foundation (priory) going back to the 10th century. Church rebuilt at the end of XIXe.

House of the Company of the Indies, and other remarkable houses of XVIIe and 18th century.

House of Paludiers, museum whose collections are centered on the salt techniques, like on popular arts and traditions.

September 11th 1386: Marriage of Jean IV, Duke of Brittany, with Jeanne de Navarre, girl of Charles the Bad one, King de Navarre, in the church of Saillé.

Village of the Madeleine

First mention in 1370 of the borough of “Magdelaine”, a maladrery and a vault was at the entry of the borough close to the martyrdom. The current church was built at the end of the 19th century, after the creation of the Parish of “the Madeleine de Guérande”, on August 4th, 1850.

Stable population with approximately 1 200 inhabitants until the years 1970, is in constant increase since (approximately 3 200 inhabitants today) by the proximity of the road axes serving Saint-Nazaire and industries of the estuary of the Loire.

architecture of the farms and surrounding hamlets is of standard briéronne , of the Pays métais , i.e. of the thatched cottages in longère, without livable stage, with small lean-to buildings, and central cattle shed, characteristic of the area (with sectors safeguarded within the framework of the charter of the Regional natural park of Brière). The principal buildings, out of local stone, were lime plaster fatty extended from clay, and covered of reed cut in the marshes of Large Brière. The additional buildings (barn, shelters for the farm equipment) are out of wood, with walls out of cob (clay yellow) and thatch roofs. The major part of these “fragile” contructions disappeared today.

In the vicinity: Dolmens of Kerbourg (common of Saint-Lyphard) and menhir of Pierre White in the vicinity, block of white quartz, close to the communal limit.

Personalities related to the commune

Anne of Brittany, remains several times at Guérande with its Course with the Saint-Yves Monastery, in particular about 1490-1491, before its marriage with Charles VIII with Langeais. It will briefly return there before starting its Tro Breiz, in 1498 and before its second marriage with Louis XII.
Paul-François Dubois, (1793 - 1874) journalist and French politician.
Gustave Clétiez (Guérande 1830 - 1896), organist, painter and ceramist. (ceramics with the rich person decoration visible with the Museum of Batz-on-Sea).
Henri Quilgars, (Guérande 1877 - Piriac out of sea 1937) Former student of the school of the Charters and Louvre, archeologist and historian. He wrote many works on the inheritance and the history of the Guérandaise Peninsula between 1900 and 1930.
Gustave Tiffoche, ceramist, sculptor and painter born in 1930 at Saint Nazaire.
Pierre Latch, Breton nationalist militant, born in 1930 in Guérande.
Claude Lorieux, journalist and specialist in the Middle East to the Le Figaro newspaper, born on December 17th, 1936 and deceased on April 25th, 2005 in Guérande. He traversed all the close relation and Middle-East and writes a book: Christians of the East out of ground of Islam.
Denys Quistrebert, author of band-drawn, born in 1971 in Guérande.
Cédrix Crespel, contemporary painter, designer, interior architect born in 1974.
Fernand Guériff, historian and ethno-musicologist.

Culture and education

Guérande in the literature and with the Cinema

In the literature:

Honore de Balzac, (1799 - 1850) written the novel " Béatrix (Balzac) " in 1839 after a stay with Guérande, and of which part of the action proceeds there.
Emile Zola (1840 - 1902), at the time of a stay with Piriac on sea in 1876 writing a news " shells of Mr. Chabre " where the protagonist makes a escursion with Guérande.
Gustave Flaubert (1821 - 1880), " By the fields and the strikes (voyage in Brittany) " , evocation of the countryside guérandaise.
" The enigma of the White-Manteaux" (2000) of Jean-François Parot, detective novel from which the hero, Nicolas Floc' H , police chief in Chatelet under Louis XV, was born in Guérande.
Alphonse Daudet , a chronicle published in 1889 described “ races with Guérande ” in the collection published under the title “ Memories of a man of letters ”

On the Big screen:

Some scenes of feature-length films were carried out in the commune, sometimes with the participation of its inhabitants:

October and November 2007: during one month, turning of the televisual saga of the summer 2008: “ the white Hand ”, telefilm in 4 episodes produces by company VAB for chain TF1. Realizer: Refusals Berry, author: Anthony Maugendre, with Ingrid Chauvinistic revealed by the preceding series “Dolmen” and Bruno Madinier in the main roles. Many scenes are carried out, in the medieval city, the salt-water marshes, and with the Manor of Drézeux.

“ His/her brother ” (September 2003) Lion of money in Berlin,

of Patrice Chéreau, with: Bruno Todeschini, Eric Caravaca, Nathalie Blaster, Catherine Ferran, Maurice Garrel, Antoinette Moya, Robinson Stevenin, Sylvain Jacques, Fred Ulysses, Pascal Greggory.

Turned in peninsula guérandaise, in particular in the Salt-water Marshes between Clis and Saillé.

“ Marthe or the promise of the day” (October 1997)

of Jean-Wolf Hubert with Clotilde Courau, Guillaume Depardieu, Gerard Jugnot, Bernard Giraudeau, Franck Fischer, Loïc Corbery, Charlotte Faivre, Kader Boukhanef.

For the needs for a scene, the Saint-Aubin place had been entirely restored in time 1910-1920. Other scenes were turned with PEN-Bron and in the Dunes close to Turballe.

“ stagnant waters ” (November 1992)

of Jacques Trefouel with Philippe Caroit, Ludmila Mikaël, Daniele Delorme, Michel Galabru, Marie Adam, Tsilla Chelton, Jacques Perrin, Daniel Gélin, Cecile Ricard, Hope Thai Pham Lan, Marilyne Even, Xavier Maly, Jean-Luc Balk, Bernard Chanteux.

Several scenes were taken in natural decorations goshawks and in the Marshes of Brière and of My and on the commune of Guérande .

“ Revolted of Lomanach ” (1953) Franco-Italian feature-length film,

of Richard Pottier with Amedeo Nazzari (Barnaud), Dany Robin (Monique), Michel Vitold (Rabuc), Carla LED Poggio (Henriette), Jacques Castelot (Mr. de Rocheville), max Amyl, Luc Andrieux (a soldier which wants to sleep), Paul Azaïs (a guard), Christine Bally (a girl), Linda Cini, Robert Dalban (a soldier), Jean Danet (Varadec), Jean Debucourt (marquis de Lomanach), Guy Favières (a chouan), Michel François (Jean of the Tower), Genevieve Gerald (Maria), Gisele Grandpré (the solliciteuse one), Suzanne Grey, Marcelle Hainia (a dowager), Francoise Honorat (a girl), Tony Jacquot (the abbot), Madeleine Lambert (the countess), Robert Béal (Martilier), Pierre Leproux, Albert Michel (a soldier which shaves), Genevieve Morel (Yvonne), Jean Paqui ( Kervalet ), Rene Pascal.

If the essence of film is turned in studio, some scenes were turned in outside in Brière, with Guérande and La Baule.

“ the Three musketeers ” (1933)

of Henri Diamond-Shepherd with Aime Simon-Girard, Henri Rollan, Thomy Bourdelle, Jean-Louis Allibert, White Montel, Edith Méra, Harry Baur

“ Lime ” (1927)

of Henri Fescourt with Coiling, Rozet, Boyer, Lequesne, Dubosc, Marnay, Maillard, Jorge, Pager, Réal

“Guérande” is sometimes a name of film character, like the Marquis and the Marchioness of Guérande in “ the Grooms of year II ” with Jean-Paul Belmondo, or for a supporting role of secret agent in “ the Large Fair one with a black shoe ” with Pierre Richard.

Museums, exposures, festivals and regular cultural events

Museums and Showrooms

Museum of the Door Saint-Michel (or Museum of the Friends of Guérande)
Museum of the Headstock
Museum of the Salt marshes of Saillé
Center Athanor (room of temporary exhibitions and public library)

Cultural events

annual Festival of Music “the Voice of the Organ”, in Collegial the Aubin Saint. (since the years 1960, concerts the Friday evening in July and August)
Festival of the book in Brittany.
the Celtic ones of Guérande (in August)
Festival White Grounds (first edition in July 2006, concert and French scene, with in 2007 a concert of Yannick Noah)
medieval Festivals (annual festival, on two or three in May days, goshawks of the weekend of Pentecost)
Festival of Métais (since 1980, annual, variable site according to the years, goshawks of the Village of Madelaine), concert and animations rural and folk: contest, Breton fight, world records (larger crèpe of the world and larger frying pan, larger pot with fire,…), etc

Religious organizations

Friends of Guérande . Association “Law 1901”, founded in 1928. This association created and managed during 77 years the Museum of the Door Saint-Michel (home of the Governor), today municipal museum, and publishes (one or two number according to the years) the “Books of the Country of Guérande” since 1968.

the Madeleine, Yesterday and Today . Association “Law 1901” founded in 1978 which is at the origin of the resurrection of fires of the Branches (ridges of Sandun in particular) and the creation of the Festival of Métais (annual) in 1980. Association also allowed the safeguard and contributed to the restoration of the many baker's ovens, of fountains, cross and an oratory.

Celtic Circle Bro Gwenrann . Association “Law 1901”, founded in 1949. The circle works for the Breton dance in Loire-Atlantique. Around 4 sections, it is composed of 200 members, including 80 children. Its activities go from initiation to the setting in scene of choreographies. The group takes part regularly in the great festivals of the area and is classified among the best whole of Brittany. Each summer, in August, association organizes its own festival “the Celtic ones of Guérande”.

Training and education

Colleges :

College Galileo , inaugurated in 1991, the establishment includes/understands 520 to 530 pupils in mainstream education and technological (built to limit displacements of the pupils of the peninsula towards Saint-Nazaire or La Baule).

Experimental Vocational school “Olivier Guichard”. Open in 1971, inaugurated by Olivier Guichard, appointed mayor of La Baule, former minister for state education, then Minister for the equipment, on November 23rd, 1973. Under triple supervision of state education, ministry for agriculture, and that of transport, it includes/understands sections of pisciculture (since 1975) - and forms with the aquicultural BTS (since 2002) -, of conchiculture (1976), automobile and agricultural mechanics (1972), of horticulture, floriculture, Work Landscape and a section of hotel trade (1973).

Lycée Carried out It (private establishment), inaugurated in 1991.

Colleges :

College Jacques Brel . Created in September 1970, it then counted 150 pupils, this number is assembled up to 800 in the years 1980, before the opening of the College of the White Country. Currently the reception establishment 450 pupils. Opening in 1988 of a new building, with the technological sections and the rooms of musics.
College of the White Country
Holy College Jean-Baptiste (private establishment)

Elementary schools and Maternelles :

School complex of Wood Rochefort . Built in the years 1960 to replace the old public school intramuros become too exiguous (in the old Holy hospital Jean), this school complex currently includes/understands: a nursery school of 4 classes, and an elementary school of 9 classes.
School complex of Pradonnais . Nursery school of 4 classes, and elementary school of 9 classes (whose class CLIS)
School complex Jean of the Fountain , with the Madeleine, includes/understands a nursery school with 4 classes and an elementary school with 5 classes.
Public school of Saillé , recently reopened, includes/understands two classes: a nursery school and primary elections.

School Diwan , schooling in Breton language.

School complex Holy Aubin (private establishment), 18 classes.
School complex Holy Marie (private establishment), 10 classes.
School complex Holy Joseph with the Madeleine (private establishment), 7 classes.
School complex Notre Dame de Lourdes in Saillé (private establishment), 3 classes.

Media

Local press: the Echo of the Peninsula (guérandaise and of Saint-Nazaire)

Weekly magazine appearing Friday (the market of Guérande is Saturdays, and that of Saint-Nazaire Friday!). It is the title of local press which has the strongest pulling of Loire-Atlantique (18000 to 20000 specimens, minimum 17000 sold). Property of the Group Harrowing (GHM) in the France-Antilles press group. Fruit of the meeting of the " Guérandais" , founded in 1890 and of " Guérande Journal" , was initially called " The Guérandaise" Peninsula; under titrated Body of Regional Interest and Tourist Propaganda of the Beaches and Guérandais Country. With the release, it re-elects " The Peninsula Guérandaise Libérée" (the most widespread weekly magazine in peninsula and on the coast of love). No Internet site.

Sport

Sports equipment:

The principal sports complex of the town of Guérande is the Complexe Jean Ménager . It joins together a room multisports (the club of tennis shoe ball is established there), a dojo, a room dedicated to the table tennis as well as a room with variable use. In outside, the complex is composed of 3 grass football fields, 1 football field stabilized as well as a ground of Rugby to reduced dimensions. There installations are or were existing to be able to exert tests of launching (javelin, hammer, weight) but only the school ones use them. Skate park was established in 2007. Lastly, 4 cours de external tennis exist and are free access.

The amateurs of tennis can also go to the Salle Tennis of Bréhadour where are present two covered courses and two external courses.

To meet the needs increasing for sporting infrastructures of the city, the Salle of the sports of Kerbiniou was built during the Nineties. Room multisport, it is the head office of the USGPH, club of Handball.

The inter-commune Room of the sports of the Madeleine , room multisports located at the North-East of the commune makes it possible to answer an important request of managed on a territory far away from the other sporting infrastructures.

Lastly, the Salle of the White Country was built at the same time as the college of the same name. The club of gymnastics was established there.

With a sporting aim and of leisure, the watery Center Jean-Pierre Dhonneur opened his doors on September 24th, 2007. The center is composed of a sporting basin of 25 measure of a ludic basin, of a pataugeoire of a basin of balneotherapy and a tobogan.

By aillor, Guérande and its surroundings offer many hiking trails. Guérande is the starting point of two ways of great excursion:

Starting point or of arrival of the way of Great Excursion n°3 ( GR3 ) = of Guérande (Door Saint-Michel) to the Mount Gerbier de Jonc (sources of the the Loire) while following its valley on 1243 km (the GR3 passes by Nantes, Saumur, Chambord, Orleans, Gien, Nevers, Mounts of the Forez, and the Puy-en-Velay). The GR3 is the oldest GR. of France.
Starting point or of arrival of the way of Great Excursion n°39 ( GR39 ) of Guérande to the Mount-Saint-Michel, by Redon and Rennes. This path follows an old way towards Saint Jacques de Compostelle, and continued either with a loading with the Port of the Croisic to join by sea Galicia, or by Saintonge (Poitiers) then Bordeaux by terrestrial way.

Sports associations and Clubs:

Tennis Guérandais Club (TCG);

Sporting union Guérande Handball Peninsula (USGPH);

Saint-Aubin of Guérande Football Club (Saint-Aubin is a sporting union soon centenary!) ;

Sports association the Madeleine Football (ASMF);

Peninsula Guérandaise Athlétic Club (PGAC);

Judo Guérandais Club;

Guérande Tennis shoe;

Sports association the Madeleine Tennis shoe.

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