Miss Liberty in Gourin: meet someone unexpected!
Did you ever think you'd see the Statue of Liberty when you were walking through the Land of the Morvan King? And yet it's Miss Liberty who welcomes you to Gourin!
The great adventure to the United States
Emigration from Brittany to the USA
Due to difficult economic conditions, many people from Gourin emigrated to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1928, there were around 3,000 of them in New York, including 400 hired by the Michelin company.
A veritable emigration network was set up from Gourin and the surrounding area.
Many of the Bretons currently living in the United States come from Gourin.
Today, it is estimated that 6,000 to 7,000 Bretons from Central Brittany have settled in the United States.
While there's a lot of talk about emigration from Gourin, we shouldn't forget that one of the pioneers of this great epic came from Roudouallec, a neighbouring commune.
A tailor by trade, Nicolas Le Grand left France in 1881 forNorth America, where he spent 4 years working hard as a lumberjack, metalworker and railwayman.
Considered to be the first expatriate, he instigated mass emigration to the United States. His story is now legendary among the people of Central Brittany.
A fabulous exhibition to help you understand everything
The Bretagne TransAmerica association has been working for years to raise awareness of this history. In July and August, it invites you to the Château de Tronjoly to discover the fantastic exhibition "Ces Bretons d'Amérique".
Explanatory panels, documents, photos and objects will give you an insight into the adventures of those who wanted to invent a new life for themselves. The first settlers left their Montagnes Noires in clogs, in search of the American dream... What did they find on the other side of the Atlantic? Answer in Gourin!
A big surprise: Miss Liberty!
I'm 2.90 metres tall.
I weigh 450 kilos. My weight leaves no one speechless, but it has to be said that I'm made of bronze!
I live on Place de la Victoire in Gourin, in the Pays du Roi Morvan.
I'm world famous.
My sister, made of resin, was a gift from Air France in 1986 to the Bretagne TransAmerica association to thank the many adventurers who had made the trip across the Atlantic. These adventurers often used the services of the agency based in Roudouallec until 1985.
As she was beginning to suffer from the vagaries of the Breton weather, my twin now resides at the Château de Tronjoly where she is well looked after. I replaced her in Gourin town centre in June 2020.
So, did you recognise me? Who am I?
Miss Liberty, also known as the Statue of Liberty!
Don't hesitate to come and see me, I'd be delighted to pose with you for a selfie if you'd like a highly original souvenir of your stay in the Land of the King of Morvan.
If Guémené-sur-Scorff has its own star, the artisanal andouille sausage, then Gourin has nothing to envy Miss Liberty when it comes to celebrity!
A history also linked to the slate quarries
Exploiting natural resources
Fortunately, not all Gourinois left for the United States or Canada! Those who stayed behind often worked in the slate quarries.
From the beginning of the 19th century, granite, sandstone and above all slate were extracted in the Gourin region.
Already being exploited in the previous century, the slate quarries enjoyed their golden age from the second half of the 19th to the first half of the 20th century. With the replacement of thatched roofs by slate roofs and the arrival of the railway, slate quarries took off in a remarkable way.
However, due to operating difficulties and competition from slate quarries in Anjou, the quarries closed in 1962 after 150 years of activity.
A magnificent natural heritage to discover on foot
Today, the Montagnes Noires offer some stunning scenery for walkers.
Starting out from Gourin, there are a number of hiking trails offeringincredible panoramic views and slate quarry sites:
- the La Montagne trail, 12.4 km
- the Carrières trail, 10.5 km
- the Crêtes trail, 18 km
Don't hesitate to pick up the route descriptions from theTourist Office reception desks.
Maybe you'll want to come back to Gourin for the Pancake Festival or the Soundmen's Championship... Don't forget to check thediary to make a note of the dates!
And, above all, don't leave the Pays du Roi Morvan without saying hello to the greatest lady of Gourin, Miss Liberty!
