Park Jules Ferry
In the heart of the city of Lorient, the present Jules-Ferry Place stretches from west to east, between the Hotel de Ville and the port. The long rectangle was formerly the wet dock, filled in after the bombardments of the Second World War. This bleak green space, aging and without use, has torn a hole in the Lorient urban fabric.
However this area of more than five hectares is slated to become the major public and unifying space of the city, for hosting demonstrations, for the Interceltic festival, as well as for daily uses. To the north, the large parking lot of the Indes quay has given way to a dedicated bus lane and to a wide tree-lined pedestrian promenade, punctuated by kiosks and café terraces. In the centre, the big Faouédic meadow has been redone to restore the necessary transparency and opening towards the port, the harbour and the sea.
Smaller gardens, islands of green, dot the area and form microcosms in the middle of this “central park”: playgrounds, theme gardens, areas for relaxation. Paths connect two old quays. To the south, the Quai de Rohan esplanade is used alternately for parking, carnivals and festivals. At the foot of the Palais des Congrès, the present Glotin parking lot is transformed into Tides Place: the slight dip in the mineral surfacing creates a reflecting pool a few centimetres thick, equipped with misting sprayers. Once empty, this floodable parvis becomes a vast stage open to the meadow. The new Jules Ferry Park strengthens the historic identity of Lorient and provides an ensemble of public spaces with complementary uses: the park, the promenade, the public square. Designed for daily use as well as for temporary events, these active and open areas unite with the port.
