Saint-Thégonnec
# Saint-Thégonnec

Saint-Thégonnec (French pronunciation: ​; Breton: Sant-Tegoneg) is a former commune in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune Saint-Thégonnec Loc-Eguiner.

The village is noted for its very elaborate parish close, one of a number in the area, which include Guimiliau and Lampaul-Guimiliau.

## Population

Inhabitants of Saint-Thégonnec are called Saint-Thégonnecois.

| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| - | - | - |
| 1793 | 3,291 | — |
| 1800 | 3,291 | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 3,422 | +4.0% |
| 1821 | 3,563 | +4.1% |
| 1831 | 3,648 | +2.4% |
| 1836 | 3,836 | +5.2% |
| 1841 | 3,926 | +2.3% |
| 1846 | 3,962 | +0.9% |
| 1851 | 3,802 | −4.0% |
| 1856 | 3,588 | −5.6% |
| 1861 | 3,957 | +10.3% |
| 1866 | 4,050 | +2.4% |
| 1872 | 3,681 | −9.1% |
| 1876 | 3,548 | −3.6% |
| 1881 | 3,409 | −3.9% |
| 1886 | 3,215 | −5.7% |
| 1891 | 3,317 | +3.2% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1896 | 3,073 | −7.4% |
| 1901 | 3,144 | +2.3% |
| 1906 | 3,206 | +2.0% |
| 1911 | 3,171 | −1.1% |
| 1921 | 2,980 | −6.0% |
| 1926 | 2,977 | −0.1% |
| 1931 | 2,719 | −8.7% |
| 1936 | 2,536 | −6.7% |
| 1946 | 2,532 | −0.2% |
| 1954 | 2,241 | −11.5% |
| 1962 | 2,159 | −3.7% |
| 1968 | 2,127 | −1.5% |
| 1975 | 1,986 | −6.6% |
| 1982 | 2,133 | +7.4% |
| 1990 | 2,139 | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 2,267 | +6.0% |
| 2008 | 2,630 | +16.0% |

## Breton language

The municipality launched a linguistic plan through Ya d'ar brezhoneg on 25 March 2005.

## Parish close

A parish close is an enclosed area around the parish church, including the church yard and a number of other features.

In common with others in the area, the Saint-Thégonnec close features a large ceremonial entrance arch, stressing the importance of the close as a focus for pilgrimage and pardons. An impressive calvary or crucifix forms the focus of the church yard. As at nearby Lampaul-Guimiliau, there is a separate charnel house or ossuary, with a life-sized tableau of the Entombment of Christ.

The interior of the church is exemplary of the local version of Baroque style, with a large quantity of polychrome sculpture and decoration, including a spectacular pulpit.

See Saint-Thégonnec Parish close

