Architectural heritage

Douarnenez

Douarnenez carries but few remains from its earlier history, having suffered extensive damage in the early 17th century due to the infamous Brigand Guy Eder de la Fontenelle, known as the Pirate on Horseback.

We know that Douarnenez had stone ramparts at one time, as well as a prison and market halls that were destroyed. It is logical to assume that a good number of houses similarly disappeared.

Douarnenez is not obviously a town of traditional stone buildings: only a dozen or so remain, and of these, some have stone only on the ground floor, the rest being rendered over.

The facades of the town's buildings are rather freestyle and irregular. Wooden panelling would also have been used on the older houses but none remains today.

The 18th century brought a rich and eclectic period of architecture. At this time, there began a quest for order in the appearance of the buildings but the main legacy from this period is the direct link between the birth of the sardine industry here (starting with sardine presses) and the inevitable influence that this had on local buildings from that point onwards.

The 19th century saw an increasing number of buildings spring up and the growth of more widespread urban areas.

Today, Douarnenez offers a picturesque town heritage consisting of old and converted factories and various cottages and houses of those who earned their living from the factories, the fishing and the sea. At the other end of the scale sit the elegant spa houses that gracefully trim the streets of our neighbouring spa town, Tréboul.

To find out more :

The Sardine Trail - 'Le chemin de la sardine'

Website of Douarnenez town council

Names of the streets in Douarnenez

Website of Douarnenez town council

Churches