Carhaix-Plouguer

Carhaix-Plouguer Karaez-Plougêr
Bell tower of Saint-Pierre de Plouguer
Carhaix-Plouguer
Location within Brittany region  Carhaix-Plouguer
Administration
Country	France
Region	Brittany
Department	Finistère
Arrondissement	Châteaulin
Canton	Carhaix-Plouguer
Intercommunality	Poher
Mayor	Christian Troadec (UDB) (2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation	69–169 m (226–554 ft)
Land area1	25.81 km2 (9.97 sq mi)
Population2	7,654  (2008)
- Density	297 /km2 (770 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	29024/ 29270
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Carhaix-Plouguer (Karaez-Plougêr in Breton) is a commune in the Finistère department in northwestern France.

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 place is twinned with Carhaix-Plouguer:

• Carrickmacross, Ireland
• Dawlish, Devon
• Oiartzun, Spain

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.

See also

• Communes of the Finistère department
• Gare de Carhaix

References

• INSEE

• (French) Mayors of Finistère Association

External links

• (French) Official website
• (French) French Ministry of Culture list for Carhaix-Plouguer