Guérande

French commune
nomcommune=Guérande
native_name=Gwenrann
image_coat_of_arms=|region=Pays-de-la-Loire
departement=Loire-Atlantique

arrondissement=Saint-Nazaire
canton=Guérande
insee code=44069
postcode=44350
mayor=Annick Mahé
longitude=-2.42
latitude=47.32
alt moy= m
alt mini=0 m
alt maxi= 57 m
area=81,44
sans=13 603
date-sans=1999
dens= 167
[http://www.ville-guerande.fr/ www.ville-guerande.fr] |

Guérande in French and Gwenrann in the Breton language, (meaning : "white land") is a small town in Loire-Atlantique, in France, close to the Atlantic Ocean. The old walled town (known in French as "vieille ville") is surrounded by nearly intact ramparts and has four fortified gates (the largest of which is a 15th century "châtelet" known as Porte Saint-Michel) and ten towers. It's the capital of the Pays Guérandais, an ancient region of the Duchy of Brittany. There're 14,296 inhabitants (2001), called "Guérandais".

Geography

Guérande is almost surrounded by the sea at the West, the Brière swamp at the east and the Vilaine river by the north. At the south extends the sea resort La Baule.

Guérande is known by the salterns which produce a very fine, traditional salt called "fleur de sel", and by the old town with fortifications.

History

The town has a very rich history, full of important events. The most important event is probably the signature of the first Guérande treaty in 1365. This treaty put an end at the Breton War of Succession between Joanna of Penthièvre and the Duke John IV.Then a second treaty was signed in 1381 by John IV and Charles VI, king of France.Guérande received the visit regularly of the Breton dirigeants like the duchess Anne of Brittany.

Twin Cities

*flagicon|Germany Dinkelsbühl — Germany
*flagicon|Spain Almagro — Spain
*flagicon|Wales Dolgellau — Wales
*flagicon|Portugal Castro Marim — Portugal