Lorient

Lorient is a commune and a seaport of Brittany, France, in the Morbihan département, of which it is a sous-préfecture. Population: city: 61,844; urban area: 186,144.

History

At the beginning of the 17th century, merchants who were doing business with India had established warehouses in Port-Louis. They later built additional ones across the bay in 1628, at the location which later became Lorient.

Related Topics:
India - Port-Louis - 1628

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later, the French East India Company, founded in 1664 and chartered by King Louis XIV, established shipyards there, thus giving an impetus to the development of the city.

Related Topics:
French East India Company - 1664 - Louis XIV - Shipyard

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The place was called L'Orient (the Orient in French).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lorient housed a German submarine base during World War II; although the city was heavily damaged by Allied bombing raids, the base survived through the end of the war. Actually, the entire city was destroyed, except the sub-marine base that was the target of the bombers.

Related Topics:
German - Submarine - World War II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~