Fougeres
Fougères, an industrial, commercial and agricultural town with a
population of about 26,000, is situated in the subprefecture of
Ille-et-Vilaine in Brittany. The town, which overlooks the green
and richly-wooded countryside around the river Nançon valley, is a
popular tourist area which has in the past inspired many great
writers such as Balzac and Victor Hugo.
Fougères is steeped in history. In mediaeval times it was a
military post of great significance, and the 12th century moated
castle, around which the town has developed over generations, still
stands as a focal point and reminder of bygone days. With its 13
towers, the impressive fortress is one of the best conserved
mediaeval castles in Europe.
Many thousands of tourists visit Fougères each year. Apart from
the castle, visitors can explore the district of Saint Sulpice,
which remains as it must have been in the 15th century, with its
timber-framed houses, winding walkways and cobbled streets, and
visit the 19th century theatre and the nearby museum and art
gallery. The modern town centre, however, shows how Fougères has
managed to mix the old with the new, with wide, pedestrianised
shopping streets, pavement cafés, fountains and sculptures.
Fougères flourished as a commercial centre in the Middle Ages
and was renowned for many trades including weaving, tanning and
wooden shoe making. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, the
town was famous for the manufacture of socks and stockings, but
these activities later yielded to the leather industry.
Since 1900 Fougères has been the capital of the footwear trade,
and today the old businesses rub shoulders with precision
engineering factories, agro-chemical laboratories and modern
electronic industries. In addition the town boasts the largest
livestock market in the whole of France.
The town, which is close to Rennes, the Emerald Coast -
including the port of St. Malo and the famous Mont St. Michel - and
the Channel beaches, is full of fascinating architecture, public
gardens and interesting places to visit. It is little wonder that
Victor Hugo described Fougères as a "place where artists ought to
flock like pilgrims" and that Balzac described it as the "flower of
Brittany".
Further information about Fougères is available from:
The Office de Tourisme
Syndicat d'Initiative
1 Place A-Briand, 35300
Fougères
France
Visit the Fougères website
This webpage was updated on
6/9/2008