For three weeks, the City of Lorient has lit up after dark. Launched on December 7, the 2024 edition of Christmas lights is intended to be baroque. Objectively, there is no comparison with Vannes and Quimper for example, the latter being much more decorated than Lorient. On Saturday, Louise and Olivier, stationed in front of the Christmas tree on Place Aristide-Briand, will embark on a stroll to discover the illuminated streets. “We haven't seen anything yet since the launch, it's a real release for us. In recent years, it's better, they've changed their way of decorating, it's more modern,” believes the couple. Frédéric, 47 years old, is also of this opinion, “they have made progress and there is an atmosphere, it is warm with the small market as well”. Since Saturday and until December 24, artisans have set up at Place Paul-Bert and Rue du Port, but this market divides the people of Lorient. “It’s not very Christmassy…” laments Oriane, a 34-year-old from Lorient. It is true that it lacks charm with arbors serving as a chalet. Disappointment also for this couple who came from Quimper to do their Christmas shopping. “We came for the market, but there really isn’t one,” lament Vincent and Anne-Solène. Disillusionment also regarding the illuminations. “We think it’s bland compared to Quimper, it lacks life.”
“This year is good”
Oriane also expected something else. “I find it a shame that there is no music on the speakers as usual. There aren't a lot of lights and they are concentrated in the city center, I imagine that's what sobriety is all about.” Pascale and Patricia are less harsh with the municipality's choices. “I think this year is good,
compared to other years,” says Pascale. She remembers the splendor of the 90s: “there were Italian illuminations, it was rococo, brilliant”. “But it was overpriced,” recalls Patricia. She clearly sees the savings made on lighting. “Place Alsace-Lorraine, for example, there is only one row of illuminated trees. I think overall it’s good, but it’s not opulent.” Strong point according to the two friends: the Cours de la Bôve and the rue de la Patrie, in front of the Nayel center with these luminous Christmas baubles, but a weak point too: the Aristide-Briand square. “The Christmas tree looks all alone, the other trees in the place were lit up before.”
“Sad streets of Lorient”
On the internet too, the people of Lorient are divided. “Sad the streets of Lorient. A poor tree next to the Fnac and at the entrance to the city (boulevard Cosmao-Dumanoir), nothing, as usual. The crisis has nothing to do with the illuminations,” expresses a user. Jérémie, for his part, recalls “the budgetary crisis”. On Saturday, a brass band energized the city center but we can deplore the organization of the concert show of the Ooz Band brass band in the middle of the week, Thursday December 19, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. or even the arrival of Santa Claus, on a Friday. The festivities are not over since the funfair will still be there once the holidays are over and the start of the school year has been digested, until Sunday January 12, 2025. The Christmas market can be discovered until Tuesday December 24. As for the illuminations, you have until January 5 to make up your own mind.
