Lesneven (; ) is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France.
It lies northeast of Brest, about from the English Channel in the middle of the Leon plateau.
History Lesneven has its origins in the immigration from southwest Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, and the name (Les-an-Even) means "court of Even" in Common Brittonic (Llys-Ifan in Welsh) after an alleged military leader of that period.Cotes des Legendes Lesneven was the castle-town controlling Léon during the Middle Ages. The castle is now gone, but many buildings of the 15th-18th centuries are still to be found in the centre. The Museum of Léon is here. The town now functions as a market and service centre for the surrounding rural district.
Population Inhabitants of Lesneven are known in French as Lesneviens.
Breton language The municipality launched a linguistic plan concerning the Breton language through Ya d'ar brezhoneg 18 July 2007.
In 2008, 19.08 percent of primary-school children attended bilingual schools. Ofis ar Brezhoneg: Enseignement bilingue
International relations
Lesneven is twinned with: Kežmarok, Slovakia (friendship pact) Carmarthen, Wales As Pontes de García Rodríguez, Spain.
See also Kernouës Communes of the Finistère department
References
External links
Official website