Carhaix Plouguer

Culture

The Vieilles Charrues Festival (Literally: Old Ploughs Festival) is held every year in mid-July. This festival is one of the largest music events in Europe, attracting more than 200,000 people every year. It is held in the fields once held by the famille de Saisy de Kerampuil and the festival venue is next to the Chateau Kerampuil.

In continental histories Carhaix is thought to be Carohaise of King Leodegrance and the Roman city of Vorgium. It is at Carohaise that the legendary King Arthur defends Leodegrance by defeating Rience, and meets Guinevere, Leodegrance's daughter. Modern archaeological digs have uncovered evidence of the ancient Roman city including its aqueduct system.

Population

Inhabitants of Carhaix-Plouguer are called Carhaisiens.

Education

There are about 2680 students in Carhaix, of which 234 attended a Diwan school as of school year 2003-04. Carhaix has one Diwan preschool, one primary school and a Diwan lycée (which is also the only lycée of Diwan). The lycée was from 1994 to 1999 first located in Brest. In 1999 it moved to Carhaix.

Breton language

The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg on April 9, 2004.

In 2008, 21.49% of primary-school children attended bilingual schools.

International relations

The following places are twinned with Carhaix-Plouguer:

Sport

Carhaix is a start of the 5th stage of the 2011 Tour de France.

Every year about 1,000 athletes participate in Huelgoat-Carhaix half-marathon and 10k.