Gourin

Gourin (French pronunciation: [ɡuʁɛ̃]; Breton: Gourin) is a commune in the Morbihan département of Brittany in north-western France.^[3]

CountryFrance

Area

¹

74.72 km² (28.85 sq mi)

Population

(2023)^[2]

3,960

Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)

Quick facts Country, Region ...

Gourin
Commune
The Manor of Tronjoly
Coat of arms
Location of Gourin
Gourin Show map of France Gourin Show map of Brittany
Coordinates: 48°08′28″N 3°36′21″W
Country	France
Region	Brittany
Department	Morbihan
Arrondissement	Pontivy
Canton	Gourin
Intercommunality	Roi Morvan Communauté
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Hervé Le Floc'h^[1]
Area ¹	74.72 km² (28.85 sq mi)
Population (2023)^[2]	3,960
• Density	53.0/km² (137/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	56066 /56110
Elevation	83–301 m (272–988 ft)
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

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Geography

Gourin is in the northwest of Morbihan, 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Quimper and 47 km (29 mi) northwest of Lorient. Historically, it belongs to Cornouaille. Gourin is on the southern slope of the Montagnes Noires (French, Black Mountains). The river Inam rises in the northern part of Gourin and flows to the south.

Map

Topographic map

Demographics

Inhabitants of Gourin are called in French Gourinois. Gourin lost 40% of its population since 1946.

More information Year, Pop. ...

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1793	3,496	—
1800	3,579	+0.34%
1806	3,002	−2.89%
1821	3,261	+0.55%
1831	3,626	+1.07%
1836	3,394	−1.31%
1841	3,783	+2.19%
1846	4,062	+1.43%
1851	4,310	+1.19%
1856	4,192	−0.55%
1861	4,021	−0.83%
1866	4,184	+0.80%
1872	4,181	−0.01%
1876	4,419	+1.39%
1881	4,448	+0.13%
1886	4,555	+0.48%
1891	4,529	−0.11%
1896	4,723	+0.84%
1901	4,919	+0.82%

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1906	5,053	+0.54%
1911	5,409	+1.37%
1921	5,766	+0.64%
1926	5,522	−0.86%
1931	5,909	+1.36%
1936	5,737	−0.59%
1946	6,391	+1.09%
1954	5,576	−1.69%
1962	5,195	−0.88%
1968	5,128	−0.22%
1975	5,199	+0.20%
1982	4,925	−0.77%
1990	4,734	−0.49%
1999	4,464	−0.65%
2007	4,131	−0.96%
2012	4,068	−0.31%
2017	3,803	−1.34%
2023	3,960	+0.68%

Source: EHESS^[4] and INSEE (1968–2023)^[5]

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History

This small town is well known for the Révolte des Bonnets Rouges against local nobles at the end of the 17th century. The town is also known for being the origin of many immigrants to United States and Canada during the first part of the 20th century. It has a large copy of the Statue of Liberty standing in the main square opposite the town hall alongside the monument to the fallen soldiers of the 20th century who came from this region.

Gourin still has a large number of native Breton speakers. The people of this region are very proud of their Celtic heritage and have preserved many old customs and traditions.