HISTORY OF THE PORT:
THE “COMPAGNIE DES INDES”
The City of Lorient was created in 1666 on August 30 by Colbert, Louis XIV’s chief minister. For centuries, its commercial development was linked to its international
trading activity.
1664 : creation
of the West Indies by Colbert in order to supply
the French market with Asian products.
1666 : creation
of the Faouëdic naval construction site. This gives birth to
the City of Lorient, which becomes a hub for commercial ships coming from and
going to Asia (spices, teas, porcelain, fabrics, silk...).
1719 : creation
of the 2nd Indies Company after the first one collapsed (1703). The trade monopoly with the Africa, Louisiana, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean
and the China Sea colonies insures prosperity to the city for years. The company goes
bankrupt in 1769
1766 : construction
of the first commercial wharf outside the India Company’s enclosure
1785 : creation
of the 3rd Indies Company. The company’s commercial monopoly
is abolished by the revolution in 1790
1794 : The Indies Company was terminated by decree. Lorient is proclaimed a military port
in 1791
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