Ploërmel

Character of the town

The town is both modern and romantically mediaeval, and has easy access to most parts of Brittany. Ploërmel is set on the edge of the magical Broceliande forest, which legend proclaims is the home of Merlin the Magician, amongst other fantastical characters.

History

In 1351, during the Breton War of Succession (part of the Hundred Years' War), the town was occupied by the Montfortist faction, supported by the English. The rival French-supported Blois faction controlled nearby Josselin. Two groups of approximately 30 English and French knights staged a tournament at a spot between the two towns, to show their prowess and make money by capturing opponents.The Franco-Breton team eventually won after killing or capturing the Anglo-Breton force. This was later known as the Combat of the Thirty.

In 1944, 10 Resistance fighters were killed by German soldiers. 31 inhabitants were killed, 125 wounded, by the American air raid on the railway station on June 12, during the Normandy landings.

On 10 December 2006, the city unveiled an statue of Pope John Paul II. It was a gift by Russo-Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and has sparked controversy over the separation of Church and State.

The town gave its name to a monastic order, the Brothers of Ploërmel. The Doctor Who actor Tom Baker was a monk of the order for a while in Jersey.

In 2008 from May 24 till 1 June 2008 the City of Ploërmel became the first City in France to host the International Federation of Carnival Cities Congress. The Ploërmel Carnival is the largest in central Brittany and is held on Saturdays at the beginning and end of May.

Demographics

Inhabitants of Ploërmel are called Ploërmelais.

Breton language

In 2008, just 2.62% of the town's children received either Breton-medium or bilingual education.

Twin towns