Brief history of the city
Saint Leonor
This Saint was born in 509 in Wales. As he was a young bishop, he decided to move to Brittany with his disciples in order to evangelize the population. Leonor had magic powers and he made miracles. He was particularly famous for his ability to cure blind people. Leonor died in 560 and his disciples put him into a sarcophagus. These days, its relic is still in Saint-Lunaire. Christianity spread very quickly and really united people in Brittany. Churches were built and progressively Celt religion was forgotten.
Church building
The first mention of Saint-Lunaire is dated from the XIth Century. At that time, Saint-Lunaire was called Pontual. Actually, Saint-Lunaire was called Pontual for many years (Tugdual bridge) because of a monk from Great Britain named Tudual.
In the XIth Century, the Pontual Lord decided to build a place of worship in granite where inhabitants could meet each other: “La Vieille Eglise”. Saint Leonor sarcophagus found its place in the hearth of this roman style church.
The Lords
For many years, village life was regulated by fishing and agriculture under the authority of Pontual and Pontbriand Lord. So, naturally, these lords would be buried inside of the” Vieille Eglise” close to Saint-Lunaire relics.
From Port-Lunaire to Saint-Lunaire
In around 1790 the city council was created. At that time, Saint-Lunaire was called Port-Lunaire and for many years, it was still a village of peasants and fishermen. Also, some master sailors were born in Port-Lunaire. After the French revolution, in 1803, Port-Lunaire became Saint-Lunaire.
Saint-Lunaire : a seaside town
From 1905, Saint-Lunaire becomes a true seaside town thanks to a reach Tahitian gentleman: Sylla Laraque who made his fortune with sugarcane plantations. When he arrived in Paris, he was regarded as being the 3rd richest man in France. Curiously, he was very interested in real estate. One day, during a trip in Brittany, he discovered the village of Saint-Lunaire. This rich gentleman though that Saint-Lunaire was preordained: initials S.L. like Sylla Laraque.
He changed this small village into a famous modern seaside town. He built the Grand Hotel, with the casino, a pier, a tennis playground and a factory to provide electricity. Also, he ask to build 21 villas for himself and his family. Quickly, people from Paris, Rennes and north of France came to this new seaside town few months a year to make the most of the sea waters, leisure and coastal walks.
Today, there are less hotels and casinos but Saint-Lunaire is still a very charming seaside town : come to discover it !
