View source for Locmariaquer

{{short description|Commune in Brittany, France}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name                   = Locmariaquer
|native name            = Lokmaria-Kaer
|commune status         = [[Communes of France|Commune]]
|image                  = Le port de Locmariaquer - Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG
|caption                = General view of the harbour
|image coat of arms     = Blason locmariaquer kaer e mem bro.jpg
|coordinates            = {{coord|47.57|-2.9442|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|arrondissement         = Lorient
|canton                 = Auray
|INSEE                  = 56116
|postal code            = 56740
|mayor                  = Hervé Cagnard<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&ndash;2026
|intercommunality       = Auray Quiberon Terre Atlantique
|elevation m            = 16
|elevation min m        = 0
|elevation max m        = 19
|area km2               = 10.99
|population             = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date        = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}

'''Locmariaquer''' ({{IPA|fr|lɔkmaʁjakɛʁ}}; {{langx|br|Lokmaria-Kaer}}) is a [[Communes of France|commune]] in the [[Morbihan]] [[Departments of France|department]] in [[Brittany (administrative region)|Brittany]] in north-western [[France]].

It lies {{convert|8.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} south of [[Auray]] by road.

==Coat of arms==
[[Image:Blason Locmariaquer.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Coat of arms of Locmariaquer]]

This coat of arms was created 30 years ago by the local artist Jean-Baptiste Corlobé. The arms portray:

*upper portion of shield: a silver dolmen on a [[sinople (heraldry)|sinople]] field
*central band: [[Ermine (heraldry)|ermine]] banner, recalling that Locmariaquer is at the heart of Brittany.
*lower band: and a gold sailboat on blue field

All are surmounted by a baronial crown (Locmariaquer was part of the former barony of Kaër). It bears the [[Breton language]] motto: "Kaër e mem bro" which can be interpreted in two ways: "Kaër is my country" or "my country is beautiful" (the phrase originated with JM François Jacob in 1933).

==Toponymy==
From the Breton ''loc'' which means [[hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitage]] (cf.: [[Locminé]]), ''[[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Maria]]'' and ''kaer'' which means ''nice'' or more likely from the Old Breton ''caer'' (Modern Breton, [[:fr:Ker- (élément de toponyme)|ker]]) which means ''fortified place, city''.

==Geography and culture==
[[Image:Pointe de Kerperhir à Locmariaquer - Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|thumb|left|Pointe de Kerpenhir, Locmariaquer]]
The municipality of Locmariaquer is located at the western tip of the [[Gulf of Morbihan]] in Brittany and has many [[beaches]] facing the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the bay [[Quiberon]].

This small town contains the [[Locmariaquer megaliths]], some of the most significant neolithic remains in Europe, including the Broken Menhir of Er Grah, the largest known single block of stone to have been transported and erected by [[Neolithic]] man.<ref>"The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World" edited by Chris scarre 1999</ref> It is beside the ''Table des Marchands'', a dolmen with notable carvings.

In the nineteenth century it became the home of the writer [[Zénaïde Fleuriot]], who idealised it in her novels.

A large statue of the madonna and child was built at Pointe de Kerperhir to commemorate a miracle in which the Madonna is supposed to have warned sailors of a forthcoming storm by appearing at the spot.<ref>Locmariaquer church, history leaflet.</ref> The statue was destroyed in [[World War II]], but replaced by a new work by [[Jules-Charles Le Bozec]] after the war.

In more recent times the town has become one of the most important oyster fisheries in France. It is known for its giant Belon oysters.

Towns bordering on the [[Canton of Auray]]: [[Saint-Philibert, Morbihan|Saint-Philibert]] and [[Crac'h]]

==Demographics==
As of 2019, the village had a population of {{Formatnum:1552}}.

==Breton language==
The municipality launched a linguistic plan through [[Ya d'ar brezhoneg]] on 26 November 2008.

==Economy==
Locmariaquer has a small [[port]], but is one of the most important [[oyster]] producing areas in the world, due to its production of the finest and possibly the rarest oyster types.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

===History of oyster farming===
[[File:Ponton et bateau ostréicole - Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|thumb|left|View of the port feast of oysters]]
The ancient Romans knew of the existence of deposits of natural edible [[oyster]]s (or flat oyster) (''Ostrea edulis'', Linn.), but it was not until the late 19th century that [[oyster farming]] started. The municipality of Locmariaquer was then regarded as the cradle of the edible oyster. The first concessions in the Auray River were issued in 1882.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://vivierslocker.fr/index.php/en/ |title=Home |access-date=2020-03-03 |archive-date=2020-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303191715/http://vivierslocker.fr/index.php/en/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/locmariaquer-56740/locmariaquer-la-famille-percevault-dans-l-ostreiculture-depuis-1874-4771281 Locmariaquer. La famille Percevault, dans l'ostréiculture depuis 1874]</ref>

Three generations devoted themselves to building oyster parks on the shores of Locmariaquer: they had to remove the mud, replace it with sand, and map out the locations.

Their job was to collect the spat (oyster larvae) clime coat the tiles or stakes and to take off or (''détroquage'') the growing areas and then sow the young oysters in parks for breeding for a duration of three years, during which there was a need to protect oysters against predators, algae, toxins, and storms.

After 1927, Locmariaquer specialized mainly in the reproduction and the half-rearing of the oysters. After growing them to half size they were shipped off to [[Marennes, Charente-Maritime|Marennes]], Holland, England, and Spain. The oyster industry grew to be  very prosperous: 350 to 400 people worked in the construction of sites and parks almost all year round. However, in 1973–1974, flat oysters in the Gulf of Morbihan were decimated or destroyed by  parasites. They were then replaced by cultivated oysters of Japanese origin, ''Crassostrea gigas'').

Today, ''Locmariaquérois'' oyster farmers are cultivating [[Pacific oyster]]s in the Gulf and River St Philibert. The crop and livestocks of the flat oyster are mainly in the Bay of Quiberon. Despite mechanization tests, the need of manpower is still high, both in culture itself and the pre-marketing operations (refining, sizing, etc.).

As of 2008, thirty oyster farms still existed around Locmariaquer. They occupied about fifty people full-time, as well as seasonal workers in October to May. Sales to wholesalers, retailers or directly to consumers were handled individually by the farms. A careful observer might find a few vendors selling the old original Plattes oysters.

==Villages and landmarks==
Bellevue, Coët Courzo, Coët Er Roué, Fetanstirec, Keranlay, Kercadoret, Kerdaniel, Keréré, Kergolvan, Kerguerec, Kerhelle, Kerhern, Kerhuiltan, Keriaval, Kerigan, Kerinis, Kerivaud, Kerjean, Kerlavarec, Kerlogonan, Kerlud, Kerouarch, Kerpenhir, Kerveresse, Lann Brick, Lann Y Nis, Le Brénéguy, Le Guilvin, Le Lézard, Le Moustoir, Le Nélud, Le Palud, Le Pont Er Lenn, Le Vinglé, Les Pierres Plates, Locquidy, Mané-Lud, Pointe de Kerpenhir, Pointe Er Hourel, Pointe Erlong, Pointe Er Ville, Pont Er Vugale, Rouick, Saint-Pierre Loperet, Scarpoche and Toul Y Niss.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:vue_generale_locmariaquer.JPG|Overview of the Port
Image:PasserelleMaraisLocmariaquer.jpg|Gateway through the "le Brénéguy" marshes.
Image:MaisonLocmariaquer.JPG|The pink house called "le Brénéguy"
</gallery>

==Sights==
[[Roman Empire|Roman]] remains are to be seen, but the place owes its celebrity to the [[megalith]]ic monuments in the vicinity, some of which are among the largest extant.

===Religious heritage===
[[Image:eglise de Locmariaquer.JPG|thumb|Church "Notre Dame de Kerdro"]]

;Notre Dame de Kerdro
Of [[Romanesque architecture|romanesque]] style, this church was built between 1082 and 1120 by the monks of [[Quimperlé]]. Today, only the [[transept]] and the [[choir]] of the original building remain. On the exterior one can read the inscription ''Hic Domus Dei'' (Here is the house of God). This section presents external walls of an archaic stonework (intercalation of Roman cubic stone, bricks and scattered bricks of Roman origin).

The south gate is protected by an advanced porch whose wooden ceiling was removed in 1988, showing a [[Cartouche (design)|cartouche]] bearing the words ''Haec Porta Coelli'' (Here is the door of heaven). Near the southern entrance, in the wall is included a superb granite [[baptismal font]], decorated with leaves and grapes, going back to the 16th century.

Inside, the greatest interest of the church resides in its surviving Romanesque features. The transept and [[apse]] were included in supplementary inventory of ''[[Monument historique]]'' by decree of 24 April 1925.

In 1960, The twelve windows were equipped with modern stained glass, created by the firm of Rault, [[glass]]maker in [[Rennes]]. The [[Motif (visual arts)|motifs]] of the seven windows of the [[nave]] and transept are abstract, the five windows of the choir presenting figurative images:
* boat and fish (fishing),
* wheat (agriculture),
* the acronym NDK (for ''Notre Dame de Kerdro''),
* bunch of tiles (oyster farming),
* dolmen and menhirs (megaliths).
These windows are admired by most visitors for their great sobriety and their remarkable brightness.

[[Image:La chapelle du Moustoir Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|thumb|chapelle du Moustoir]]
;Chapelle du Moustoir
Rebuilt in 1883, the chapel is dedicated to [[Gildas|Saint Gildas]], but also to Father Claude Philippe, a [[Civil Constitution of the Clergy|non-juring priest]], who died in 1796 and was buried in this place. The chapel is located north of the town; it was fully restored in recent years by an association that continues to ensure its maintenance. Each year, on the last Sunday of June, a [[Pardon (ceremony)|Pardon]] and a [[Fest Noz]] are organized.

;Chapelle Saint-Pierre-Loperec
Built in 1772, this chapel was built to celebrate Mass and organize a Pardon for the survivors of shipwrecks, of which there were many at the time. It can be visited in summer and during the traditional annual Pardon on the first Sunday of July.

;Chapelle Saint-Michel
The chapel was built in 1749 by Christophe Paul De Robien, Baron de Kaër who previously acquired the former chapel built on Gallo-Roman ruins. When the foundations of the present chapel were built, a quantity of medallions bearing the effigy of Caesar and other motifs were found.

Today, the chapel looks like a rectangular building 14 metres long and 7 meters wide. On its portal is a decoration depicting three lily flowers in relief and a stone bearing the date 1813 and a damaged patch representing the arms of Robien.

During the summer months of July and August "friends of the chapel" association has chosen to use the chapel for exhibitions of contemporary art, at the same time highlighting the work of restoration carried out in 1986.
;Statue of the Virgin ''Notre-Dame de Kerdro''
Built on the rocks at the edge of Kerpenhir in 1962: 2.70 m high, it was carved in granite by [[Jules-Charles Le Bozec]] in 1946 but spent 16 years in the church before being moved to its present location. It replaces a statue erected in 1883 and destroyed by the Germans along with the fort during [[World War II]].

===Civil heritage===
Land of legends and mysteries, Locmariaquer is home to a remarkable concentration of megaliths. Just like nearby Carnac, the city holds unique and rare monuments dating from the Neolithic period. Here men have left a legacy of prestigious burial structures prefiguring the era of the great pyramids. The [[Broken Menhir of Er Grah|Great Menhir of Er Grah]], the Table of Merchants, the mounds of Er Grah and many other monuments decorate the landscape of Locmariaquer.

===Megaliths===
{{Main|Locmariaquer megaliths}}
* [[Broken Menhir of Er Grah]], the largest [[menhir]] in the world, at nearly 20m, is currently broken into 4 pieces.
* [[Table des Marchand|Cairn from la Table des Marchand]]
* [[Tumulus d'Er Grah]]
* Les [[Pierres Plates]] (the flat stones), cubit long driveway covered nearly 25 m..
* House and mounds of [[Mané Retual]]
* [[Dolmen]] [[Kercadoret]]
* Dolmen [[Kerveresse]]
* Dolmen [[Mané Lud]]

<gallery>
Image:Bretagne_Morbihan_Locmariaquer_14015.jpg|Grand Menhir
Image:Bretagne_Morbihan_Locmariaquer_14018.jpg|Grand Menhir
Image:Bretagne_Morbihan_Locmariaquer_14020.jpg|Grand Menhir
Image:Bretagne_Morbihan_Locmariaquer_14017.jpg|Grand Menhir + Table des Marchand
Image:Bretagne_Morbihan_Locmariaquer_14011.jpg|Table des Marchand
Image:Locmariaquer Table des Marchand (interieur).jpg|Table des Marchand: inside the burial chamber
Image:Dolmen du Mané Lud Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|Dolmen du Mané Lud
Image:Mané_Retual_à_Locmariaquer_Jean-Charles_GUILLO.JPG|Dolmen du Mané Retual
Image:Dolmen de Kercadoret à Locmariaquer Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|Dolmen de Kercadoret
Image:Les_pierres_plates_Jean-Charles_GUILLO.JPG|Les Pierres Plates
Image:Les Pierres Plates Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|Les Pierres Plates
Image:Gravure Les Pierres Plates Jean-Charles GUILLO.JPG|Les Pierres Plates
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Carnac Stones]]
*[[Communes of the Morbihan department]]

==References==
* {{EB1911|wstitle=Locmariaquer|volume=16|page=855}}
* Heritage department of the municipality of Locmariaquer

==Notes==
<references />
One important reference is ''The Oysters of Locmariaquer'' by [[Eleanor Clark]], who won the [[National Book Award]] in 1965 for her work on the history, culture, and oyster industry in this Breton seaport.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Locmariaquer}}
*[http://www.locmariaquer.fr Official site] {{in lang|fr}}
*{{Search Mérimée|56116}}

{{Morbihan communes}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Communes of Morbihan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Brittany]]