# Plougoumelen > commune in Morbihan, France **Wikidata**: [Q128158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q128158) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plougoumelen) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/plougoumelen ## Summary Plougoumelen is a commune located in the Morbihan department of Brittany, northwestern France, situated at coordinates 47.6525°N latitude and 2.9169°W longitude. The commune operates under the administrative structure of the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération, a communauté d'agglomération established in 2017, and falls within the arrondissement of Vannes. With a historical population that has grown from approximately 729 inhabitants to over 2,600 across documented records, Plougoumelen represents a small but established French municipal community. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Plougoumelen (also spelled Plougouvelen) - **Country**: France - **Department**: Morbihan (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Vannes - **Administrative Intercommunalité**: Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération (inception: January 1, 2017) - **Type of Territorial Division**: Commune of France (inception: 1789) - **Coordinates**: 47.6525°N latitude, 2.9169444444444°W longitude - **Official Website**: https://www.plougoumelen.bzh/ - **Wikipedia Title**: Plougoumelen - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Morbihan, France - **Sitelink Count**: 40 - **Historical Population Range**: From approximately 729 to 2,664 inhabitants across documented records ## FAQs **What type of administrative region is Plougoumelen?** Plougoumelen is a commune, which is the smallest administrative territorial division in France for municipalities. This French administrative unit dates back to 1789 and serves as the fundamental building block of local governance in the country. **Which department and arrondissement does Plougoumelen belong to?** Plougoumelen is located in the Morbihan department of Brittany, France. Morbihan has existed as an administrative department since March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. Within this department, Plougoumelen is part of the arrondissement of Vannes. **What intercommunal structure is Plougoumelen part of?** Plougoumelen belongs to the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération, a communauté d'agglomération (a form of intercommunal cooperation in France) that was established on January 1, 2017. This organization coordinates local development, public services, and economic planning across the Gulf of Morbihan region. **Where exactly is Plougoumelen located geographically?** Plougoumelen is situated in southern Brittany at coordinates 47.6525°N latitude and 2.9169444444444°W longitude. The commune lies near the Gulf of Morbihan (Golfe du Morbihan), a characteristic inland sea of Brittany. **What is the population of Plougoumelen?** Plougoumelen has grown from a population of approximately 729 inhabitants in its earlier recorded history to over 2,600 inhabitants in more recent records, demonstrating population growth typical of rural communes near attractive coastal or tourist areas in Brittany. ## Why It Matters Plougoumelen matters as an example of the traditional French commune structure that forms the foundation of local governance in France. Its inclusion in the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération (established 2017) reflects the ongoing administrative modernization of French local government, where smaller municipalities collaborate through intercommunal structures to share resources, coordinate planning, and provide services more efficiently. The commune's location in Morbihan places it in one of Brittany's most distinctive departments, characterized by its namesake gulf, coastal landscapes, and cultural heritage. As France maintains one of the most decentralized administrative systems in Europe, with communes representing the closest level of government to citizens, Plougoumelen embodies the democratic and administrative tradition that has governed French municipalities since the Revolution of 1789. The commune's population growth from approximately 729 to over 2,600 inhabitants also reflects broader demographic patterns in Brittany, where the Gulf of Morbihan region has become increasingly attractive for residential and tourism purposes due to its natural beauty, mild climate, and proximity to larger urban centers like Vannes. ## Notable For - Historical French commune status dating to 1789, representing the foundational level of French municipal administration - Location in the Morbihan department, named after the distinctive Gulf of Morbihan (literally "little sea" in Breton) - Membership in the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération, a modern intercommunal structure established in 2017 - Part of the arrondissement of Vannes, one of the major administrative divisions of Morbihan - Official municipal website at plougoumelen.bzh, indicating active local governance and digital presence ## Body ### Geography and Location Plougoumelen is a French commune situated in the southern part of the Brittany region, specifically in the Morbihan department. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 47.6525°N latitude and 2.9169444444444°W longitude, placing it in the interior regions near the Gulf of Morbihan (Golfe du Morbihan), from which the department takes its name. The Gulf of Morbihan is a characteristic geographical feature of southern Brittany, comprising numerous islands and islets in what is essentially an inland sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean. ### Administrative Structure Plougoumelen operates within the hierarchical French administrative system, which is characterized by multiple levels of territorial organization. At the base of this hierarchy is the commune, a territorial subdivision that dates to 1789 during the French Revolution. Plougoumelen, as a commune, represents the smallest administrative unit in France and serves as the primary level of local government and citizen representation. The commune is nested within the arrondissement of Vannes, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the commune level. Above this, Plougoumelen belongs to the Morbihan department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments following the Revolution. Morbihan is one of the four departments that make up the Brittany region, alongside Côtes-d'Armor, Finistère, and Ille-et-Vilaine. At the intercommunal level, Plougoumelen is a member of the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération, a communauté d'agmodation that was officially established on January 1, 2017. This intercommunal structure brings together numerous municipalities in the Gulf of Morbihan region around Vannes, the principal urban center. The communauté d'agmodation serves as a framework for cooperation between member communes in areas such as economic development, transportation, environmental protection, and public services. ### Historical Context The commune of Plougoumelen traces its institutional origins to the French Revolution, when the ancient system of provinces and parishes was replaced by a rationalized administrative structure based on departments, arrondissements, and communes. This transformation, which began in 1789, established the commune as the fundamental unit of French local government, a status that Plougoumelen has maintained for over two centuries. The department of Morbihan, within which Plougoumelen is located, was one of the original 83 departments created in 1790. The name "Morbihan" derives from the Breton language, meaning "little sea" (mor meaning "sea" and bihan meaning "small"), referring directly to the Gulf of Morbihan that characterizes the region's geography. ### Demographics and Population Based on the historical population data available, Plougoumelen has experienced significant population growth over time. The commune's population has increased from approximately 729 inhabitants in its earliest recorded figures to over 2,600 inhabitants in more recent data. This growth trajectory reflects broader demographic trends in certain rural and semi-rural areas of Brittany, particularly those located near attractive natural environments such as the Gulf of Morbihan. The population figures recorded include values such as 729, 1023, 1357, 1544, 1762, 2200, 2399, 2439, 2444, 2471, 2473, 2522, 2525, 2599 (multiple entries), 2605, and 2664, suggesting a generally upward trend with some fluctuations typical of small communes. ### Local Governance and Services As a French commune, Plougoumelen is governed by a municipal council and mayor, who oversee local affairs including urban planning, local taxation, civil status registration, and the maintenance of communal infrastructure. The commune maintains an official website at https://www.plougoumelen.bzh/, providing information to residents and visitors about local services, administrative procedures, and community events. The commune's membership in the Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération enables coordination with neighboring municipalities on projects and services that exceed the capacity of individual communes, such as public transportation networks, economic development initiatives, and environmental conservation efforts. ### Regional Context: Brittany and Morbihan Plougoumelen benefits from its location in Brittany (Bretagne), one of France's 18 administrative regions. Brittany is a historical and cultural region with a distinct Celtic heritage, language (Breton), and traditions that set it apart from other French regions. The peninsula extends into the Atlantic Ocean, giving Brittany extensive coastlines and a maritime tradition that profoundly influences local culture and economy. Morbihan, as a department, encompasses diverse landscapes from the Gulf of Morbihan to the Atlantic coastline, and includes both inland agricultural areas and coastal communities. The department's capital and principal city is Vannes, which serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement that includes Plougoumelen. Vannes is a historic city with a well-preserved old town, medieval walls, and significance as a regional hub for commerce, culture, and administration. ### Relationship to Connected Entities Plougoumelen's administrative relationships can be traced through several connected entities: - **France**: The sovereign nation within which Plougoumelen is located, operating under the constitutional framework of the Fifth Republic established in 1958. - **Morbihan**: The department-level administrative division created in 1790, responsible for regional governance and administrative coordination. - **Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération**: The intercommunal structure (communauté d'agglomération) established in 2017, headquartered in Vannes, which coordinates development across the Gulf of Morbihan region. - **Arrondissement of Vannes**: The administrative arrondissement that organizes departmental affairs at an intermediate level. - **Commune of France**: The category of territorial subdivision to which Plougoumelen belongs, established in 1789 as part of the revolutionary administrative reorganization. ### Cultural and Tourist Significance While Plougoumelen may be a small commune, its location in the Morbihan region places it within one of Brittany's most visited areas. The Gulf of Morbihan itself is a major tourist destination, known for its islands, sailing opportunities, and distinctive tidal characteristics. The region attracts visitors interested in Breton culture, seafood cuisine, coastal landscapes, and historical sites ranging from prehistoric alignments to medieval towns. The commune's proximity to Vannes provides access to regional cultural amenities, including museums, festivals, and historical sites. Brittany as a whole is renowned for its Celtic heritage, Breton language, traditional festivals (such as Fest-Noz celebrations), and distinctive architectural heritage including half-timbered houses and megalithic monuments. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 4. INSEE code 5. répertoire géographique des communes 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Annuaire de service-public.fr 8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 9. Populations légales 2016 10. Populations légales 2017 11. Populations légales 2018 12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 13. Populations légales 2019 14. Populations légales 2020 15. Populations légales 2021 16. Populations de référence 2022 17. Populations de référence 2023 18. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0 19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 21. GeoNames 22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 23. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z) 24. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c) 25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)