View source for Lorient

{{short description|Subprefecture and commune in Brittany, France}}
{{About|the city of Lorient in Brittany, France}}
{{redirect|Keryado|the fishing vessel and later vorpostenboot|German trawler V 423 Keryado II}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox French commune
| name               = Lorient
| native name        = {{nativename|br|An Oriant}}
| commune status     = [[Subprefectures in France|Subprefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|47.75|-3.36|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| image              = Lorient.jpg
| caption            = Aerial view of the harbour of Lorient
| image flag         = Flag of Lorient.svg
| image coat of arms = Blason ville fr Lorient (Morbihan).svg
| arrondissement     = Lorient
|canton              = [[Canton of Lorient-1|Lorient-1]] and [[Canton of Lorient-2|2]]
| INSEE              = 56121
| postal code        = 56100
| mayor              = [[Fabrice Loher]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.morbihan.gouv.fr/content/download/45068/325032/file/Maires%20du%20Morbihan%202020%20-%20250.pdf|title=Maires du Morbihan|date=7 July 2020|publisher=Préfecture du Morbihan}}</ref>
|term                = 2020–2026
|intercommunality    = [[Lorient Agglomération]]
| elevation min m    = 0
| elevation max m    = 46
| area km2           = 17.48
| population         = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
| population date    = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}

'''Lorient''' ({{IPA|fr|lɔʁjɑ̃|lang|Fr-Lorient.ogg}}; {{Langx|br|An Oriant}}) is a town (''[[Communes of France|commune]]'') and [[Port|seaport]] in the [[Morbihan]] [[Departments of France|department]] of [[Brittany (administrative region)|Brittany]] in western [[France]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Lorient}}
=== Prehistory and classical antiquity ===
Beginning around 3000 BC, settlements in the area of Lorient are attested by the presence of [[Megalith|megalithic architecture]]. Ruins of [[Roman roads]] (linking [[Vannes]] to [[Quimper]] and [[Port-Louis, Morbihan|Port-Louis]] to [[Carhaix]]) confirm [[Gallo-Roman]] presence.

=== Founding ===
[[File:Lorient-au-18-eme-siecle.jpg|thumbnail|left|Lorient in the 18th century]]
In 1664, [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert]] founded the [[Louis XIV's East India Company|French East Indies Company]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|pages=66–87|year=1939|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> In June 1666, an [[Ordonnance|ordinance]] of [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] granted lands of [[Port-Louis, Morbihan|Port-Louis]] to the company, along with Faouédic on the other side of the [[roadstead]]. One of its directors, Denis Langlois, bought lands at the confluence of the [[Scorff]] and the [[Blavet]] rivers, and built [[slipway]]s. At first, it only served as a subsidiary of Port-Louis, where offices and warehouses were located.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=67|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> The following years, the operation was almost abandoned, but in 1675, during the [[Franco-Dutch War]], the [[Louis XIV's East India Company|French East Indies Company]] scrapped its base in [[Le Havre]] since it was too exposed during wartime, and transferred its infrastructures to l'Enclot, out of which Lorient grew. The company then erected a chapel, workshops, forges, and offices, leaving Port-Louis permanently.<ref name="Chaumeil P68">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=68|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

The city's name is derived from ''Le Soleil d'Orient'', the first ship constructed at the site, in 1669. Workers gave the site the name of the ship, which, by contraction, became simply ''L'Orient'' and finally ''Lorient''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://troisponts.net/2012/09/11/lorigine-du-nom-de-lorient/|title=L'Origine du nom de Lorient|date=11 September 2012}}</ref>

The [[French Navy|French Royal Navy]] opened a base there in 1690, under the command of [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay|Colbert de Seignelay]], who inherited [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert|his father]]'s position as [[Secretary of State of the Navy (France)|Secretary of State of the Navy]]. At the same time, [[privateer]]s from [[Saint-Malo]] took shelter there.<ref name="Chaumeil P68"/> In 1700, the town grew out of l'Enclot following a law forcing people to leave the domain to move to the Faouédic heath. In 1702, there were about 6,000 inhabitants in Lorient, though activities slowed, and the town began to decline.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=69|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

===Growth under the Company of the Indies===
[[File:Le port et la rade de Lorient vers 1800.jpg|left|thumb|L'Enclos at the end of the 18th century]]
The town experienced a period of growth when [[John Law (economist)|John Law]] formed the [[Mississippi Company|Perpetual Company of the Indies]] by absorbing other [[chartered companies]] (including the [[Louis XIV's East India Company|French East India Company]]), and chose Lorient as its operations base. Despite the [[economic bubble]] caused by the Company in 1720, the city was still growing<ref name="Chaumeil P70">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=70|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> as it took part in the [[Atlantic triangular slave trade]]. From 1720 to 1790, 156 ships deported an estimated 43,000 slaves.<ref>René Estienne, ''[https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/indes/sites/default/files/Compagnie_des_Indes_et_traite_negriere.pdf « Les archives des compagnies commerciales et la traite : l'exemple de la Compagnie des Indes »]'', Service historique de la Défense, Lorient, janvier 2009</ref> In 1732, the Company decided to transfer its sales headquarters from [[Nantes]] to Lorient, and asked architect [[Jacques Gabriel]] to raise new buildings out of [[dimension stone]]s to host these new activities, and to embellish the L'Enclos domain.<ref name="Chaumeil P70"/> Sales began in 1734, peaking up to 25 million ''[[Livre tournois|livres tournois]]''.<ref name="Chaumeil P71">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=71|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> In 1769, the Company's monopoly ended with the scrapping of the company itself, under the influence of the [[Physiocracy|physiocrats]].<ref name="Chaumeil P73">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=73|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

Until the Company's closure, the city took advantage of its prosperity. In 1738, there were 14,000 inhabitants, or 20,000 considering the outlying villages of Kerentrech, Merville, La Perrière, Calvin, and Keryado, which are now neighbourhoods within the present-day city limits. In 1735, new streets were laid out and in 1738, it was granted city status. Further work was undertaken as the streets began to be paved, wharves and slipways were built along the Faouédic river, and [[thatching|thatched]] houses were replaced with stone buildings following 18th-century classical architecture style as it was the case for l'Enclos.<ref name="Chaumeil P71"/> In 1744, the city walls were erected, and proved quickly useful as [[Raid on Lorient|Lorient was raided]] in September 1746.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=72|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> Following the demise of the Company, the city lost one-seventh of its population.<ref name="Chaumeil P74">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=74|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

In 1769, the city evolved into a full-scale [[naval base]] for the [[French Navy|Royal Navy]] when [[Louis XV]] bought out the Company's infrastructures for 17,500,000 ''[[livre tournois|livres tournois]]''.<ref name="Chaumeil P73"/> From 1775 on, the [[American Revolutionary War]] brought a surge in activity, as many [[privateers]] hailed from Lorient. When the war ended, transatlantic lines opened to the [[United States]], and in 1785, a new commercial company started under [[Charles Alexandre de Calonne|Calonne]]'s tutelage (then [[Controller-General of Finances]]) with the same goal as the previous entities, i.e. conducting trade in [[India]] and [[China]], with again Lorient standing as its operative base.<ref name="Chaumeil P74"/>

The [[French Revolution]] and the subsequent [[Napoleonic Wars]] put an end to trade for nearly two decades.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=75|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

=== 19th and early 20th centuries ===
[[File:Berthe Morisot The Harbor at Lorient.jpg|thumb|The Harbor at Lorient, 1869 painting by [[Berthe Morisot]].]]
[[File:Lorient - Cours de la Bôve (1907).jpg|thumb|Cours de la Bôve (1907)]]

Maritime activities slowed at the start of the 19th century. Activity at the shipyards and naval base reached a low that would last until the [[July Monarchy]]. During this period, the city was more of an administrative center.<ref name="Chaumeil P76">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=76|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> The first [[secondary school]] opened in 1822, a [[lazaretto]] in 1823, and [[barracks]] in 1839.<ref name="Chaumeil P77">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=77|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

The city began to modernize in the second quarter of the century; in 1825, a roofed slipway and a [[drydock]] were added to the shipyards.<ref name="Chaumeil P76"/> A [[sardine]] [[cannery]]<ref name="Chaumeil P80">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=80|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref> opened the same year. The first [[gasworks]] was built in 1845.<ref name ="Chaumeil P79">{{cite journal|last=Chaumeil|first=Louis|title=Abrégé d'histoire de Lorient de la fondation (1666) à nos jours (1939)|journal=Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest|volume=46|issue=1|year=1939|page=79|language=fr|doi=10.3406/abpo.1939.1788}}</ref>

In the second half of the 19th century, the [[steam engine]] allowed the ports to strengthen their output.<ref name="Chaumeil P77"/> The first [[locomotive]] reached the city in 1865.<ref name="Chaumeil P80"/> In 1861, the original [[drydock]] was enlarged as a second one was dug out. The same year, the [[ironclad]] ''[[French ironclad Couronne|Couronne]]'' was built on a design directly inspired by the ''[[French ironclad Gloire|Gloire]]'' [[ship class|class]], though unlike her wooden-hull predecessors, she was entirely made of iron. She was followed in 1876 by the ironclad ''[[French ironclad Redoutable|Redoutable]]'', the first ship in the world with a steel structure.

In 1889, fishing expanded following the creation of the municipal fish market,<ref name="Chaumeil P79"/> and the arrival of [[steam-powered]] [[fishing trawler]]s in 1900. The [[Fishing port of Lorient-Keroman|Keroman fishing port]] construction started in 1920.

=== World War II ===
In 1941, the [[Nazi Germany|Germans]], then [[Military Administration in France (Nazi Germany)|occupying France]], chose to establish a [[U-boat base]] at Lorient. The [[submarine]] facilities quickly became targets of constant bombing from [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] air forces. The Germans decided to build a complex of bomb-proof [[submarine pen]]s, their [[Lorient U-boat base|largest U-boat base]], which would house the [[2nd U-boat Flotilla|2nd]] and the [[10th U-boat Flotilla|10th]] U-boat flotillas for the bulk of the [[Battle of the Atlantic]]. [[Karl Dönitz]], then [[Befehlshaber der U-Boote|supreme commander of the U-boat Arm]], moved his staff into the Kernevel villa, just across the water from Keroman, in [[Larmor-Plage]].

In 1943–1944, Lorient was nearly razed to the ground by Allied [[Strategic bombing during World War II|bombing]], which failed to destroy the submarine pens despite 4,000 tons of bombs dropped.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lagarrigue|first=Max|title=Comment les Français vivent-ils les bombardements alliés?|journal=Arkheia|year=2007|url=http://www.arkheia-revue.org/Les-bombardements-allies-comment.html|access-date=21 March 2013|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703074452/http://arkheia-revue.org/Les-bombardements-allies-comment.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the book ''Steel Boats, Iron Hearts'' (by former {{GS|U-505||2}} crewman [[Hans Goebeler]]), after the Allies failed to damage the U-boat bunkers the bombing shifted to the city itself to deny the Germans workers and other resources. Before the bombings, thousands of leaflets were dropped on the population instructing the inhabitants to evacuate.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hans|first1=Goebeler|title=Steel Boats, Iron Hearts|date=2008|publisher=Savas Beatie LLC}}</ref> Between 14 January 1943 and 17 February 1943, as many as 500 high-explosive [[aerial bomb]]s and more than 60,000 [[incendiary bombs]] were dropped on Lorient.

After the [[Normandy landings]] in June 1944 and the [[Operation Cobra|subsequent breakout]], Lorient was surrounded by Allied troops on 12 August 1944. Its usefulness as a naval base gone, Lorient was left in a state of siege, surrounded by the [[French Forces of the West]], supported by a US infantry division. On 10 May 1945, the [[Atlantic pockets|German garrison]] surrendered, [[End of World War II in Europe|two days after]] the official final [[German Instrument of Surrender|unconditional surrender of Germany]]. In 1949, the city of Lorient was awarded the [[Legion of Honour]] and the ''[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de guerre 1939–1945]]''.

=== Reconstruction ===
[[File:Hôtel de Ville de Lorient.JPG|thumb|The [[Hôtel de Ville, Lorient|Hôtel de Ville]] (city hall)]]

In April 1945, the Reconstruction Ministry advocated the use of temporary wooden shacks. These shelters were shipped as a kit to be built on site. In 1948, there were 28 settlements under the city's authority, and 20 more in the [[urban area]], distributed among the neighboring towns of [[Ploemeur]], [[Lanester]], [[Hennebont]] and [[Quéven]]. Each of these neighbourhoods could hold up to 280 houses. A new [[Hôtel de Ville, Lorient|Hôtel de Ville]] (city hall) was completed in 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patrimoine.lorient.bzh/histoire/architecture/batiments-publics/hotel-de-ville-de-1940-a-nos-jours/ |title=Hôtel de ville de 1940 à nos jours|publisher=Patrimoine Lorient|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028182541/https://patrimoine.lorient.bzh/histoire/architecture/batiments-publics/hotel-de-ville-de-1940-a-nos-jours/  |archive-date=28 October 2021 }}</ref>

This temporary housing would stand from 10 to 40 years depending on the location. The last shack in the largest settlement, Soye, was torn down in 1991. Today, only a few buildings dating to the 18th century still stand.

==Geography==

=== Location ===
[[File:Map lorient.jpg|thumb|left|Map of Lorient]]

Lorient is located on the south coast of [[Brittany (administrative region)|Brittany]], where the rivers [[Scorff]] and [[Blavet]] join to form the [[roadstead of Lorient]], before discharging into the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The river Ter used to flow into the [[estuary]] to the south of the city, however, a [[dam]] was constructed in 1967, stopping the flow. The city is {{convert|503|km|mi}} south-west of [[Paris]], {{convert|153|km|mi}} south-west of [[Rennes]] and {{convert|158|km|mi}} north-west of [[Nantes]].

The city comprises different neighbourhoods:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
* Bois du Château
* Keryado
* Saint-Armel
* Kerentrech
* Le Gaillec
* Le Manio
* Kerdual
* Kervénanec
* Lanveur
{{col-break}}
* Keroman
* Kergroise
* Carnel
* Kerfichant
* Kerolay
* Kerguestenen
* Le Mir
* La Perrière
* La Ville Neuve
* La Ville en Bois
{{col-break}}
* Kermélo
* Le Ter
* Kerlin
* Merville
* La Nouvelle Ville
* Le « bout du monde »
* Saint-Maudé
* Frébault-Polygone
* Quehélio
* Kervaric
{{col-break}}
* Keryvalant
* La Fontaine des Anglais
* Kerforn
* Le petit et le grand Batteur
* Le Kreisker
* Kerguillet
* Le Parco
* Soye
{{col-end}}

Adjacent towns:
{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Lorient
|North     = [[Quéven]], [[Caudan]]
|Northeast = [[Lanester]]
|East      = [[Lanester]]
|Southeast = [[Locmiquélic]]
|South     = [[Larmor-Plage]], [[Port-Louis, Morbihan|Port-Louis]]
|Southwest =[[Ploemeur]]
|West      = [[Ploemeur]]
|Northwest =[[Quéven]],<br />[[Ploemeur]]
}}

===Climate===

Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Lorient experiences an [[oceanic climate]] (Cfb), with mild winters and cool to warm summers. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. Frost is rare in winter, as are days over {{convert|30|°C|0|abbr=on}} during summer.

{{Weather box
|location = Lorient ([[Lorient South Brittany Airport|Lann-Bihoué Airport]]) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1952–present
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|Jan record high C = 16.8
|Feb record high C = 18.4
|Mar record high C = 23.3
|Apr record high C = 27.1
|May record high C = 29.8
|Jun record high C = 35.9
|Jul record high C = 37.6
|Aug record high C = 37.5
|Sep record high C = 31.0
|Oct record high C = 28.4
|Nov record high C = 19.6
|Dec record high C = 16.4
|year record high C = 37.6
|Jan avg record high C = 13.5
|Feb avg record high C = 14.2
|Mar avg record high C = 17.5
|Apr avg record high C = 21.3
|May avg record high C = 25.3
|Jun avg record high C = 28.9
|Jul avg record high C = 29.7
|Aug avg record high C = 29.1
|Sep avg record high C = 26.5
|Oct avg record high C = 21.0
|Nov avg record high C = 17.0
|Dec avg record high C = 13.9
|year avg record high C = 31.4
|Jan high C = 9.7
|Feb high C = 10.4
|Mar high C = 12.6
|Apr high C = 15.0
|May high C = 18.1
|Jun high C = 20.8
|Jul high C = 22.5
|Aug high C = 22.6
|Sep high C = 20.7
|Oct high C = 16.8
|Nov high C = 13.0
|Dec high C = 10.4
|year high C = 16.0
|Jan mean C = 6.9
|Feb mean C = 7.1
|Mar mean C = 8.8
|Apr mean C = 10.7
|May mean C = 13.7
|Jun mean C = 16.4
|Jul mean C = 18.0
|Aug mean C = 18.1
|Sep mean C = 16.1
|Oct mean C = 13.3
|Nov mean C = 9.8
|Dec mean C = 7.5
|year mean C = 12.2
|Jan low C = 4.0
|Feb low C = 3.8
|Mar low C = 5.0
|Apr low C = 6.4
|May low C = 9.3
|Jun low C = 11.9
|Jul low C = 13.6
|Aug low C = 13.5
|Sep low C = 11.5
|Oct low C = 9.7
|Nov low C = 6.6
|Dec low C = 4.6
|year low C = 8.3
|Jan avg record low C = -3.5
|Feb avg record low C = -2.7
|Mar avg record low C = -1.0
|Apr avg record low C = 0.4
|May avg record low C = 3.5
|Jun avg record low C = 6.3
|Jul avg record low C = 8.9
|Aug avg record low C = 8.0
|Sep avg record low C = 6.0
|Oct avg record low C = 2.8
|Nov avg record low C = -0.1
|Dec avg record low C = -2.6
|year avg record low C = -4.9
|Jan record low C = -13.1
|Feb record low C = -11.0
|Mar record low C = -7.4
|Apr record low C = -4.1
|May record low C = -1.1
|Jun record low C = 1.6
|Jul record low C = 3.4
|Aug record low C = 4.1
|Sep record low C = 1.0
|Oct record low C = -1.8
|Nov record low C = -5.0
|Dec record low C = -8.7
|year record low C = -13.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 109.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 82.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 66.2
|Apr precipitation mm = 67.5
|May precipitation mm = 66.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 52.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 55.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 53.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 65.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 103.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 107.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 114.5
|year precipitation mm = 943.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 14.3
|Feb precipitation days = 11.6
|Mar precipitation days = 10.9
|Apr precipitation days = 10.6
|May precipitation days = 9.8
|Jun precipitation days = 8.0
|Jul precipitation days = 8.3
|Aug precipitation days = 7.7
|Sep precipitation days = 8.3
|Oct precipitation days = 12.6
|Nov precipitation days = 13.8
|Dec precipitation days = 14.2
|year precipitation days = 130.2
|Jan humidity = 88
|Feb humidity = 85
|Mar humidity = 82
|Apr humidity = 79
|May humidity = 81
|Jun humidity = 80
|Jul humidity = 80
|Aug humidity = 81
|Sep humidity = 84
|Oct humidity = 87
|Nov humidity = 87
|Dec humidity = 88
|year humidity = 83.5
|Jan sun = 70.6
|Feb sun = 98.6
|Mar sun = 143.7
|Apr sun = 190.8
|May sun = 214.1
|Jun sun = 224.3
|Jul sun = 231.7
|Aug sun = 219.4
|Sep sun = 192.8
|Oct sun = 119.9
|Nov sun = 87.1
|Dec sun = 72.0
|year sun = 1865.0
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source = Météo France,<ref name=MFclimat1>{{cite web|url=https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_56185001.pdf|title=Données climatiques de la station de Lorient|publisher=Météo France|language=fr|access-date=9 September 2023|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190609/https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_56185001.pdf|url-status=live }}</ref> Infoclimat (humidity, 1961–1990),<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web|url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07205-lorient-lann-bihoue.html|title=Normes et records 1961-1990: Lorient-Lann Bihoué (56) - altitude 42m|language=fr|publisher=Infoclimat|access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref> and Meteociel <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=56185001|title=Normales et records pour Lorient-Lann Bihoue (56)|publisher=Meteociel|access-date=14 September 2020}}</ref>
}}

==Population==
In 2017, Lorient had a population of 57,149.<ref name=pophis/> In 2017, its [[Communes of France#Intercommunality|intercommunality]] [[Lorient Agglomération]] had 203,309 inhabitants.<ref name="Lorient agglo">{{cite web|title=Comparateur de territoire, Intercommunalité-Métropole de CA Lorient Agglomération (200042174)|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/1405599?geo=EPCI-200042174|access-date=2 September 2020|publisher=INSEE}}</ref> Lorient is the most populous [[Communes of France|commune]] in [[Morbihan]] ''[[Departments of France|département]]'', although the ''[[préfecture]]'' is the slightly smaller commune of [[Vannes]]. Inhabitants of Lorient are called ''Lorientais''.

The population data in the table and graph below refer to the commune of Lorient proper, in its geography at the given years. The commune of Lorient absorbed the former commune of Keryado in 1947.<ref name=ehess/>

{{Historical populations
|1793 |22318
|1800 |17837
|1806 |20553
|1821 |17115
|1831 |18322
|1836 |18975
|1841 |23621
|1846 |26434
|1851 |25694
|1856 |28412
|1861 |35462
|1866 |37655
|1872 |34660
|1876 |35165
|1881 |37812
|1886 |40055
|1891 |42116
|1896 |41894
|1901 |44640
|1906 |46403
|1911 |49039
|1921 |46314
|1926 |41592
|1931 |42853
|1936 |45817
|1946 |11838
|1954 |47095
|1962 |60566
|1968 |66444
|1975 |69769
|1982 |62554
|1990 |59271
|1999 |59189
|2007 |58135
|2012 |57706
|2017 |57149
|source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess | 20024 | Lorient }}</ref> and INSEE<ref name=pophis>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-56121#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE</ref>
| percentages = pagr
| cols = 3
| align = none
| graph-pos = bottom
}}

===Breton language===
The municipality launched a linguistic plan through [[Ya d'ar brezhoneg]] on 25 January 2007.

In 2008, 2.71% of the children attended the bilingual schools in primary education.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} ''Ofis ar Brezhoneg'': [http://www.ofis-bzh.org/fr/services/observatoire/travaux.php?travail_id=83 ''Enseignement bilingue'']</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Fregate forbin.jpg|left|thumb|Ongoing building of {{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|1}} {{ship|French frigate|Forbin|D620|2}} at [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]] shipyard in 2006]]

[[File:Vraquier-Iolcos-Triumph.jpg|left|thumb|Soy being unloaded at Kergroise port]]

=== Ports ===
[[File:Seven Seas Voyager in Lorient.ogv|thumb|left|thumbtime=23s|{{ship||Seven Seas Voyager}} leaving port]]
Lorient is commonly referred to as ''La ville aux cinq ports'' ("the city of five ports"): military, fishing, commercial, passengers and yachting.<ref name=lorientports>{{cite web|title=Lorient-ports|url=http://www.lorient.port.fr/pages/quais/index.html|access-date=11 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009054531/http://lorient.port.fr/pages/quais/index.html|archive-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> In 2010, the sector represented 9,600 direct jobs for a total 12,000 jobs (with indirect jobs accounted for), or 12% of local employment.<ref name="ouest-france: secteur maritime">{{cite journal|last=Josse|first=Charles|journal=Ouest-France|date=25 March 2011|url=http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actuLocale_-a-Lorient-le-maritime-pese-12-000-emplois-_40875-1739514------56121-aud_actu.Htm|access-date=11 March 2013|title=Lorient : Actualités et infos en direct, sorties, agenda, images, 56100 - Ouest-France}}</ref>
* Keroman fishing port ([[:fr :Port de pêche de Keroman|fr]]): In 2010, with a catch of 27,000 tons, it was second only to [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] regarding catch tonnage among French fishing ports, but first considering the cash value.<ref name="ouest-france: pêche">{{cite journal|journal=Ouest-France|date=7 January 2011|url=http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actuLocale_-26-000-tonnes-de-poisson-au-port-de-peche-de-Lorient_40811-1646705------56121-aud_actu.Htm|access-date=11 March 2013|title=26 000 tonnes de poisson au port de pêche de Lorient}}</ref> It accounts for 3,000 jobs (including 700 fishermen) and 130 fishing vessels.
* [[Port of Kergroise|Kergroise cargo port]] : With 2.6 million tons of cargo per year (including oil, cattle fodder, sand, containers), it ranks first in Brittany.<ref name="Lorient kergroise">{{cite web|title=Lorient - Ports|url=http://www.lorient.port.fr/pages/trafic_mouvement/trafic_mensuel.asp|access-date=11 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111095815/http://www.lorient.port.fr/pages/trafic_mouvement/trafic_mensuel.asp|archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref>
* [[Marinas]] : mooring berths are situated on Lorient (370), Kernevel (1,000), [[Port-Louis, Morbihan|Port-Louis]] (450), [[Gâvres]] (57) and [[Guidel]] (102).<ref>{{cite web|title=Ports - Pays de Lorient|url=https://www.ports-paysdelorient.fr|access-date=11 March 2013}}</ref> Additionally, there is an {{convert|800|m}} long dock dedicated to offshore competitive sailing (''Pôle course au large''), recently built within the [[Lorient Submarine Base|former submarine base]].
* Passenger ships : each year, more 457,500 passengers set sail to the nearby islands of [[Groix]] and [[Belle-Île-en-Mer]].
* Military : though no longer a [[French Navy]] base, new [[warship]]s are still built at [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]], docking temporarily on [[wharfs|wharves]] along the [[Scorff]] river.

[[File:Citadelle de Port-Louis (12) - Port et rade de Lorient.jpg|thumb|center|800px|The port and disused submarine base]]

=== Industry ===
From its founding, [[shipbuilding]] has always been of great importance to the city. [[DCNS (company)|DCNS]] continues the legacy of the formerly state-owned [[shipyard]]s (colloquially known as ''l'Arsenal'') that began operation in 1690. It still builds warships, mainly [[frigate]]s. There is also a substantial industrial base in Keroman to support the fishing fleet.

===Transport===

[[Lorient South Brittany Airport]] is situated just west of the city at Lann Bihoue. It operates charter flights and regular flights to Toulouse. It used to operate direct flights to [[Paris]] and [[Lyon]] all year long and other city such as London and Porto in the Summer.

The [[Gare de Lorient]] is the railway station, offering connections to Quimper, Nantes, Rennes, Paris (less than three hours by TGV) and several regional destinations.

== Education ==
Schools in Lorient belong to the Academy of [[Rennes]].

===Tertiary===
* [[Classe préparatoire aux grandes écoles|CPGE]] at ''Dupuy-de-Lôme'' and ''Saint Joseph-La salle'' [[lycée]]s.
* ''[[University of Southern Brittany|Université de Bretagne Sud]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.univ-ubs.fr/fr/index.html|title=Tout savoir sur la vie des campus|date=6 April 2023|website=www.univ-ubs.fr}}</ref>
* ''[[University Institutes of Technology#Bretagne|Institut universitaire de technologie de Lorient]]''
* ''[[École nationale supérieure d'ingénieurs de Bretagne Sud]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www-ensibs.univ-ubs.fr/fr/index.html|title=Accueil du site de l'ENSIBS - Université Bretagne Sud|date=3 May 2021|website=www-ensibs.univ-ubs.fr}}</ref>
* ''École supérieure d'art''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://esa.lorient.fr/|title=École Supérieure d'Art|access-date=27 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304112557/http://esa.lorient.fr/|archive-date=4 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ''École nationale de musique et de danse''.<ref>[http://enmd.lorient.fr/ École Nationale de Musique et de Danse] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312020636/http://enmd.lorient.fr/ |date=12 March 2009 }}</ref>

== Military ==
[[File:Commando jauber1.jpg|thumb|The ''[[Commando Jaubert]]'' storming a ship in a mock assault]]

Active units based near Lorient:
* [[Naval commandos (France)|Naval Commandos]] (''Commando Marine''): the [[special forces]] of the [[French Navy]]. It is one of the most selective units among the [[French armed forces]], equivalent in their mission and affiliation to [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEALs]] or British [[Special Boat Service]]. Five out of the six existing naval commandos{{efn|In the French Navy nomenclature, commandos are understood as units, not individuals.}} are based in [[Lanester]], just across the [[Scorff]] river from Lorient. The Naval Fusilier & Commando Training School is also based here.
* [[Lorient South Brittany Airport|Lann-Bihoué]] [[French Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation Base]]: Five squadrons ("''[[Squadron (aviation)|flottilles]]''{{-"}}) are based in [[Ploemeur]]. Their tasks include [[airborne early warning]], [[maritime patrol]] and [[air-sea rescue]].

==Lorient Submarine Base==
{{main|Lorient Submarine Base}}
[[File:Anoriant submarine.jpg|left|thumb|The former submarine pens at Keroman]]

Lorient was the location of an extensive [[submarine base]], built by [[Kriegsmarine|the Germans]] in [[World War II]] and used subsequently by the [[French Navy]]. [[BdU|Head of the U-Boat Arm]] [[Karl Dönitz]] decided to construct the base on 28 June 1940. Between November 1940 and January 1942 a number of gigantic reinforced concrete structures were built. including three on the Keroman peninsula. They are called K1, K2 and K3. In 1944 work began on a fourth structure. The base was capable of sheltering thirty submarines. Lorient was damaged by Allied bombing raids but the naval base survived the war.

Following the German surrender the base was used by the French Navy, named for [[Jacques Stosskopf]], a hero of the [[French Resistance]] who had worked there. The base was decommissioned in 1995 and turned over to civilian use.  It is now a museum.

==Culture==
[[File:Anoriant3.jpg|thumb|Pipers during the ''grande parade'']]

=== Events ===
Each year in August since 1970, Lorient hosts the [[Festival Interceltique de Lorient|Festival interceltique]], bringing together artists from all the [[Celts (modern)|Celtic world]] ([[Brittany]], [[Cornwall]], [[Scotland]], [[Ireland]], [[Wales]], [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]], [[Asturias]], [[Australia]], [[Acadia]] and [[Isle of Man]]). Each year, a Celtic nation is chosen as honored guest. It is one of the biggest festivals in Europe by attendance (800,000 people for the 40th edition<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/festivals-de-l-ete/article/2010/08/16/record-d-affluence-au-festival-interceltique-de-lorient_1399242_1383721.html|access-date=25 March 2013|newspaper=Le Monde|date=16 August 2010|title=Record d'affluence au Festival interceltique de Lorient}}</ref>)

===Media===
Lorient is home to [[TébéSud]] (formerly TyTélé), a local TV channel covering Morbihan through [[Digital terrestrial television|DTT]].

==Religion==
Catholic churches are among the main religious landmarks of Lorient. While the [[Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Lorient|Church of Our Lady of the Assumption]] was built in 1850 in a revivalist neo-Gothic style, the church of Saint Joan of Arc was built in a neo-Roman style in the 1930s by French architect [[Jean Desbois]] and a few years later in 1955, and the modernist church of [[Notre-Dame-de-Victoire, Lorient|Notre-Dame-de-Victoire]] is the highest point of Lorient with its 4-meter-high concrete bell tower though the population never really accepted this new style.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Leniaud|first=Jean-Michel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RlaR9AMfZrsC&dq=Sainte-Jeanne+d%E2%80%99Arc+lorient&pg=PA115|title=Entre nostalgie et utopie: réalités architecturales et artistiques aux XIXe et XXe siècles|date=2005|publisher=Librairie Droz|isbn=978-2-900791-77-6|pages=115|language=fr}}</ref> Major Catholic festivals such as Christmas, Carnaval, Easter and the [[Pardon (ceremony)|''Pardon'']] are celebrated as major feasts of the city.

==Sports==

===Football===
The most popular club in Lorient is [[FC Lorient]], which currently play in [[Ligue 1]], after winning [[Ligue 2]] in 2020. They are nicknamed ''[[Merlucciidae|les Merlus]]''. They play their home fixtures at [[Stade du Moustoir]]. [[Christian Gourcuff]] managed the team for over 20 years (aggregate years).

===Sailing===
The converted [[Lorient Submarine Base|submarine base]] has been home port to several skippers and their sailing teams:
* Jérémie Beyou<ref name="Voile news">{{cite web|title=Voile news|url=http://www.voilesnews.fr/News/Port/8159-Pole-course-au-large-de-Lorient-creation-d-un-centre-d-affaires-HQE-dedie-au-nautisme|access-date=25 March 2013}}</ref> (Delta Dore),
* [[Pascal Bidégorry]]<ref name="Voile news"/> (Banque Populaire),
* [[Franck Cammas]]<ref name="Voile news"/> (Groupama), winner of the [[2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race]]
* [[Samantha Davies (sailor)|Samantha Davies]]<ref name="Voile news"/> (Roxy),
* Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty<ref name="Voile news"/> (Maisonneuve),
* Jean-Pierre Dick<ref name="Voile news"/> (Paprec-Virbac),
* Yann Elies<ref name="Voile news"/> (Generali),
* Alain Gautier<ref name="Voile news"/> (Foncia),
* Sébastien Josse<ref name="Voile news"/> (British Telecom),
* Marc Thiercelin<ref name="Voile news"/> (DCNS)

Lorient was also a staging port during the [[2011–12 Volvo Ocean Race]], as well as the starting point of ''la [[Solitaire du Figaro]]'' (2009 edition).

[[Eric Tabarly]] built three out of his six ''Pen Duick'' boats in Lorient.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cité de la voile|url=http://www.citevoile-tabarly.com/pen-duick|access-date=25 March 2013}}</ref>

== Notable ''Lorientais'' ==
{{see also|List of people from Lorient}}<!-- Needs to be some rationalisation and-or merging -->

=== Arts and literature ===
* [[Marie-Léontine Bordes-Pène]] (1858–1924), pianist
* [[Charles Delioux]] (1825–1915), composer and pianist
* [[Marie Dorval]] (1798–1849), actress
* [[Irène Frain]] (b. 1950), writer
* [[Ernest Hello]] (1828–1885), writer
* [[Viktor Lazlo]] (b. 1960), singer
* [[Rita Strohl]] (1865–1941), pianist and composer
* [[Jacques Vaché]] (1895–1919), writer and artist

=== Sailors ===
* [[Jean-Baptiste-François Bompart|Jean-Baptiste Bompard]] (1757–1842), took part in the [[American Revolutionary War]] as a [[privateer]], later rose to the rank of [[admiral]].
* [[François Joseph Bouvet]] (1753–1832), [[vice admiral]] and [[Maritime Prefect|maritime prefect]]
* [[Jean-Baptiste Chaigneau]] (1769–1832), sailor, French [[consulate|consul]] in [[Cochinchina]]
* [[Pierre-François Forissier]], b. 1951, admiral, [[Chief of Staff of the French Navy]] (2008–2011)
* [[Raymond Rallier du Baty]] (1881–1978), [[explorer]] of the [[Kerguelen islands]].

=== Politics ===
* [[Henri Dupuy de Lôme]] (1816–1885), [[naval architect]], chief designer of the ''[[French ship Napoléon (1850)|Napoléon]]'', ''[[French ironclad Gloire|La Gloire]]'' and ''[[French submarine Gymnote (Q1)|Gymnote]]'', which were breakthroughs in naval technology, also designed [[airship]]s, [[National Assembly (France)|deputy]] representing [[Morbihan]], member of the [[French Academy of Sciences|Academy of Sciences]], [[senator for life]].
* [[Pierre-Paul Guieysse]] (1841–1914), Morbihan deputy, Minister of the Colonies.
* [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]], b. 1947, former mayor of Lorient, former Morbihan deputy, former [[Minister of Defence]], former Secretary of State.
* [[Jules Simon]] (1814–1896), [[philosopher]], [[List of Prime Ministers of France|President of the Council of Ministers]], senator for life, member of ''l'[[Académie française]]''.

=== Sports ===
* [[Georges Eo]], b. 1948, former [[association football|football]] player and manager
* [[Christian Gourcuff]], b. 1955, former manager of [[FC Lorient]]
* [[Yoann Gourcuff]], b. 1986, son of the former, [[French national football team|international]] midfielder, currently plays for [[Stade Rennais F.C.]]
* [[Ronan Le Crom]], b. 1974, goalkeeper
* [[Enzo Le Fée]], b. 2000, midfielder for [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland AFC]]
* [[Jérémy Morel]], b. 1984, left-back for [[Olympique de Marseille]]
* [[Illan Meslier]], b. 2000, goalkeeper for [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]

=== Sciences ===
* [[Pierre Fatou]] (1878–1929), mathematician and astronomer
* [[Nicole Marthe Le Douarin|Nicole Le Douarin]], b. 1930, biologist

=== Others ===
* [[Jacques Andrieux]] (1917–2005), WWII fighter ace and [[Compagnon de la Libération]].
* [[Élisabeth Le Port]] (1919–1943) WWII French Resistance member.
* [[Jacques Stosskopf]] (1898–1944), naval engineer, ''[[French Resistance|résistant]]''. Mistaken for being a traitor, in 1946 the submarine base was renamed "Base Ingénieur Général Stosskopf" in his honour.

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}}
Lorient is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Jumelages|url=https://www.lorient.bzh/jumelages/|website=lorient.bzh|publisher=Lorient|language=fr|access-date=17 November 2019}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Galway]], Ireland
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Vigo]], Spain
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]], England, United Kingdom
* {{flagicon|LAT}} [[Ventspils]], Latvia
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Ludwigshafen]], Germany
* {{flagicon|CZE}} [[České Budějovice]], Czech Republic
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Denizli]], Turkey
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Arrondissement of Lorient]]
* [[Communes of the Morbihan department]]
* [[Festival Interceltique de Lorient]]
* [[Fishing port of Lorient-Keroman]]
* [[Gabriel Hotel]]
* [[Mississippi Company]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
:Notes
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://www.lorient.bzh Official website] (in French)
* [http://www.lor56.fr Ville de Lorient et Festival Interceltique Images] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112030259/http://lor56.fr/ |date=12 November 2018 }}
* [https://www.uboat-bases.com/en/Lorient/welcome.html Keroman submarine base]
* [https://www.festival-interceltique.bzh/ Festival Interceltique de Lorient]
* {{Search Mérimée|56121}}
* [http://www.antoniomucherino.it/en/photoalbum.php See pictures on Antonio Mucherino's web site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303164044/http://www.antoniomucherino.it/en/photoalbum.php |date=3 March 2012 }}
* [https://www.lorient-tourisme.fr/ Tourism office] (in French)

{{Morbihan communes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lorient| ]]
[[Category:Subprefectures in France]]
[[Category:German Navy submarine bases]]
[[Category:Communes of Morbihan]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns on the French Atlantic coast]]