Landerneau is a town in Finistère, Brittany, about twenty kilometers north-east of Brest.
The rise of the city, which now has more than 15,000 inhabitants, is historically linked to its geographical situation, at the bottom of the ria (bay) where the Elorn estuary begins, a river that served as a border between the regions Of the Léon (north) and Cornouaille (south).
Its port and especially its bridge (the only one for a long time on the river) made it very early a commercial crossroads. Under the domination of the viscounts of Rohan from the fourteenth century, Landerneau became a stronghold of the trade of linen, leather, cattle for export and wine, imported from Spain. From the eighteenth century, Landerneau also serves as a warehouse port for the needs of the port of Brest...
However, with modern navigation, the port's vocation of the city is running out of steam, but its economy remains dynamic (textile industry), just like its demography.
Relatively untouched by the bombing that affected Brest during the last war, Landerneau has preserved a remarkable historical heart, and in particular the last "inhabited" bridge of Europe. Member of the union of the cities of Art and History and the historical cities of Brittany, rich of two famous contemporary art centers, it is a must visit for the region.
In terms of built historical heritage, the heart of Landerneau is an open-air museum. Staked with 32 signs on the most remarkable buildings, an interpretation trail was designed to allow visitors to discover the city's treasures.
The jewel is the Rohan bridge, built in the sixteenth century, consisting of six arches of stones, which replaced a bridge of the twelfth. Its specificity is that buildings stand on piles of granite, formerly inhabited by craftsmen and cloth merchants. The slate-covered corbellements are remarkable.
On the quays, superb houses dating for most of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, built by merchants during the splendor of the commercial port, are decorated with skylights, turrets, timber frames, and one distinguishes On the facades the coat of arms in the form of a moon, the symbol of the city. Some of them have been built in yellow stone from Logonna (quarries in the region). The house of the Senechaussee, that of the Duchess Anne, or that of the Thirteen Moons, are particularly remarkable.
Also worth mentioning is the church of Saint-Houardon, the former convent of the Ursulines (XVIIIth), which also served as a prison and barracks, before being renovated and become a high school, or many chapels and oratories...
Outside the interpretation tour, for guided tours or additional information, please call +33 2 98 85 13 09.
The banks of the Elorn constitute another advantage of the city, for those who want to stroll beyond the quays where a modest marina remains.
An ideal starting point for bucolic hikes. But there are many other possible routes, to walk or even mountain biking. Brochures, maps and information on +33 2 98 85 13 09.
For the sports enthusiasts, the Aqualorn aquatic center, equipped with swimming pools but also playful equipment, is an alternative to the beaches of the neighboring communes... Price: 4 and 5 euros. Information on +33 2 98 85 18 89.
One can prefer canoeing, with the Alligators club, which also welcomes the tourists of passage wanting to discover the charms of the Elorn, or descend the estuary towards the ocean... Information on +33 2 98 21 48 74.
However, in recent years, Landerneau has also gained in attractiveness with the opening in 2012 of Fonds Hélène and Édouard Leclerc (which opened here its first trade), installed in the former convent of the Capuchins. The vocation of this cultural center is to make discover the most emblematic works of the artists of our time. Large annual exhibitions on Chagall, Miró and Giacometti have already attracted half a million visitors. Entrance: 4 to 6 euros. Information on +33 2 29 62 47 78.
Moreover, in 2015, the municipality inaugurated the Galerie de Rohan, an exhibition space of art and contemporary creations, open to famous or future designers, with an area of 180 m². Free entry. Information on +33 2 56 31 28 15.
Every Sunday in July and August, folk dances on the Rohan bridge.
In the middle of July, the Kann al Loar festival will take place on a week-long program of concerts, dance performances, plays, literary meetings. Focused on Breton culture and traditions but also open to outside talent, it includes a maritime festival and brings together thousands of spectators.
In mid-August, Festival Noise Festival in Landerneau (the expression is local, but originates from the sound of the rolling of the boats who stopped at the port), program confirmed artists and new talents (pop and rock). Information on +33 2 98 30 30 15.
Last but not least, on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Place du General de Gaulle, the Pont de Rohan and the Quai de Léon, and on Saturday morning at Place du Commandant l'Herminier, tasty markets showcase regional products and the sea.
