Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Morlaix

Morlaix, a coveted city

In the Middle Ages, the terrestrial channels of communication hardly allow long-distance transport.  Morlaix, a port situated at the entry of the English Channel, set up in the trough of a bay protected from the ocean's rage, quasi-naturally becomes the trading hub of Lower Brittany's commerce.

16th century: the golden age...

The end of the Hundred Years' War (in 1475 with the Treaty of Picquigny) re-opens the English market and provides tremendous impetus to trade: the English market grabs a very large part of the fine linen fabric production (also known in French as "crées") made in the region. It exports, Devon sheets via the port of Morlaix.  But the quays also see a lot of other goods in transit: linen seeds from the Northern countries, wines from Bordeaux, fruits, vegetables, oil and some iron from Spain or Portugal, lead, tin and earth coal from Great Britain.  The ships leaving the port carry voluminous loads of linen and numerous local paper mill products in their sides. The "balance of trade" is overwhelmingly positive in Morlaix.

…until the 18th century

The local trade also includes the sale of skins and leather, produced by Morlaix and Léon tanneries, and the horse trade as Léon and Tréguier stud farms are regular suppliers of the French army.  Honey, butter, bacon and wheat, also produced in the region are marketed by local tradesmen.

This very favourable economic situation will collapse in the 18th century due to several causes: the protectionist measures taken by Colbert in France and by the English Parliament nearly close the English market to the Breton linen manufacturers.  At the end of the 17th century, the port is in a pitiful state because its upkeep has left so much to be desired; the resumption of the hostilities, in 1689, between France and England, strikes a fatal blow to the merchant navy by developing the activity of privateers.

A new calling: sailing

There is no more commercial activity nowadays in the port of Morlaix as Roscoff deep water port has been remarkably developed in this sector since the beginning of the 1970's. Sailing is the new calling of Morlaix site.  This activity was set up there in 1978. Each summer, it entices sailing enthusiasts who truly appreciate its charms, many of them coming from Great Britain. One project of Morlaix CCI, targeting at the complete and consistent fitting of the Bay of Morlaix, will undoubtedly bring new perspectives.