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November, 2008
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Mûr de Bretagne, Britanny, France
A small village of about 2500 inhabitants, Mûr de Bretagne is an ancient town pre-dating the Roman occupation.
Mûr de Bretagne - Location
It is located in the very centre of Britanny: North of Pontivy, South of St. Brieuc (the prefecture), West of Loudéac (the sous-prefecture), and East of Gouarec; at the Eastern end of the Lac de Guerlédan - an artificial lake created in the 1920s for the generation of electricity; just off the RN164 (Route National), around the intersection of the RD767 (Route Départemental) and RD35.
Language
Although not prevalent, Breton is spoken here. Just 20 km away at Loudéac, the old language is Gallo instead.
'Mûr' is similar to the French word 'mur' meaning 'wall' referring perhaps to the walls around the Roman encampment here. It is also similar to the Breton word 'meur' meaning 'grand', 'superior' and the hills around Mûr are very high, with spectacular views, especially the ascent towards Corlay on the RD767. Nearby farms/smallholdings including 'kermur', 'hent meur' derive their names from the town.
History
The people of Britanny were at the forefront of resistance to the occupation during WWII and many street names, including in Mûr, reflect this.
Worship
There is one church, St Pierre, which is in daily use, and the Chapelle St Suzanne which is open for services several times per year.
There are several roadside crosses (calvaires) and blessed fountains in the area.
Employers
Mûr is set within an agricultural environment, the largest employer being a chicken packaging factory. There are fewer commercial establishments than once there were, perhaps due to the supermarket in town, but those that remain are fairly constant in number, perhaps even increasing slightly.
Travel
There is little public transport - a bus 4 times per day into Loudéac (East) or Carhaix (West), one into Pontivy - but hitchhiking is a common and useful way to get about.
The Canal Nantes à Brest, nearby, is no longer navigable along its whole length, but it has towpaths which permit walking, cycling and riding.
The old railway line which passes through town from St Méen le Grand to Carhaix, likewise, is open to walkers, cyclists and riders.
Sport
At least recently, Mûr has had the Tour de France pass through quite often (2004, 2007, 2008), as the aforementioned hill toward Corlay is classed as a hill climb; so steep it is that the council built a sand pit at the bottom to 'escape' into!
Every year there is a football championship for under-13s called 'benjamins' from the arabic/hebrew meaning 'youngest son', usually very well attended.
Entertainment
We have had a picture house for the last 3 years - although it was a picture house many, many years before - which is gradually increasing its frequency of opening.
We have several bars and restaurants in and around the town.
Several times per year there are late night public parties (Festou Noz) with Breton music, Breton dancing and lots of cider and wine.
And Finally ...
Houses and land are still cheap here compared to the UK market, but prices are rising even now that prices in UK are stagnating. The bureaucracy here takes some getting used to and the people, although eventually friendly enough, are not always too keen to give out information. So think carefully before moving out here - but do it anyway!!
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Contributor's Note
Nearly 6 years a resident of Mûr - un nouveau murois!
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The chapelle St Suzanne, a 15th century church.
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Added by Harvey Partridge on May 7, 00:55 AM.
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