Le Conquet Explained

Le Conquet
Native Name:Konk-Leon
Commune Status:Commune
Image Coat Of Arms:Blason ville fr Le Conquet (Finistère).svg
Coordinates:48.3586°N -4.7706°W
Insee:29040
Postal Code:29217
Arrondissement:Brest
Canton:Saint-Renan
Mayor:Jean-Luc Milin[1]
Term:2020 - 2026
Intercommunality:Pays d'Iroise
Elevation Min M:0
Elevation Max M:51
Area Km2:8.45
Image Flag:Flag of Le Conquet.gif

Le Conquet (in French pronounced as /lə kɔ̃kɛ/; Breton: Konk-Leon) is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France. This is the westernmost town of mainland France. Only three island towns—Ouessant, Île-Molène and Ile de Sein—are farther west.

Maritime transport

The port of Le Conquet is served by the Penn-ar-Bed ferry company, providing links with Ouessant and the archipelago of Molène throughout the year. From April to September, the Finist'mer company also provides fast links between the port of Le Conquet and Lanildut, and the archipelago of Molene and Ouessant.

History

As he fled from Wales in exile, Henry Tudor landed in Le Conquet rather than France because of a storm that blew his ship off course.

Population

Inhabitants of Le Conquet are called Conquetois in French.

Sights

International relations

Le Conquet is twinned with the town of Llandeilo in Wales.

Economy

Fishing harbour

As an important crab fishery port, Le Conquet also became an ideal place for catching uncommon species. The fishing port has been managed by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Brest since 2007. In recent years, alongside traditional crab-fishing ships, the fleet has diversified its activities with other ships, which use fishing nets bringing back monkfish, skate, brill, turbot, lobster and the fresh daily catches. However, the crab still remains the symbol of the harbour.

Rescue station SNSM

The rescue station was inaugurated on March 10, 1867. Nowadays, the rescue station uses an SNSM first-class lifeboat of 14 meters in length. She is modern, unsinkable and self-righting. The SNS 151 La Louve is always anchored in the harbour with two inflatable boats. One of the latter, named Ville du Conquet, is city property and is used for the coastal watch during the summer season.

Sports and leisure

Le Conquet has a dive center named Club Subaquatique.

Popular culture

The town is mentioned in the Asterix series books Asterix and the Chieftain's Daughter and Asterix and the Banquet as Gesocribatum.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 9 August 2021. fr.