The Origins of Lorient

Lorient owes its existence to the sea and to human ambition. For many years, it was known as the “City of Five Ports,” a name that celebrated its commercial port, founded in 1666; its naval arsenal, opened in the 18th century; the Keroman fishing port, inaugurated in 1927; its ferry terminal serving the islands; and its downtown marina. Today, that count has changed.

With the growth of the offshore-racing center at Lorient La Base and its dry-stack marina, Lorient has become the city of six—or even seven—ports. The origin of that nickname is easy enough to understand, but where does the name “Lorient” itself come from? The story begins when the Faouëdic Peninsula, at the head of the harbor, was chosen as the site of the French East India Company’s shipyards.

Soon after work began, the first major merchant vessel emerged from the yards: the 60-gun Soleil d’Orient, or “Sun of the East.” The ship made such a strong impression that workers heading to the shipyard began saying, “We’re going to L’Orient.” Over time, the apostrophe disappeared, but the name remained. The ship itself met a far more tragic fate, sinking off the coast of Madagascar in November 1681.