How much space is available for the Morlaix community in the factory?
After SITA closed the last tobacco factory workshop in Morlaix in 2004, thousands of square metres were left empty, a stone's throw from the city centre. When the buildings were put up for sale, the Morlaix subsidiary CCI was the first to buy almost all of them. The Morlaix community then bought everything, making a total of 20,000 square metres. First to install your bench. It was the starting point for the revitalisation of the Mano area. “The CCI had a good intuition because it made it possible to preserve almost the entire collection,” says Yvon Hervé, president of the community at the time.
Are all buildings part of the Morlaix community?
When the state put the factory up for sale, a few private owners also bought the buildings. This huge complex includes apartments, medical offices, the Skol Vreizh publishing house, the AADI association and artists' studios. All of them are co-owners.
In the process of redeveloping and preserving the factory, the last project completed, after ten years of development and work, is the Espace des Sciences, which was inaugurated on July 2, 2024. It occupies approximately two wings of the factory, in an area of 3,600 square meters.
One of the rooms of the Espace des Sciences is dedicated to the history of the Manu building. (Le Telegram/Monique Keromnes)
Are there any empty spaces left in the factory?
Among the spaces still available, there is “La Forêt”, located between the Quai de Léon and the Wart building. But also 1,500 m2 in the Science Space pavilion (in two rooms of 750 m2). “Future projects have already been identified, particularly for La Forêt. We are not specifically looking for occupants,” explains Jean-Paul Vermot, president of the Morlaix community. Space must also be found to be able to install the third section of the IUT.
It is not easy to redevelop the main courtyard because it is useful for its multiple uses. Such a large space is of great value. We saw it at the Panorama Festival, the Fête de la Bretagne or the arrival of Redadeg.
What is a “fine arts room”?
In mid-July 2024, the 1,500 m² free space will be transformed into a fine arts gallery. Throughout the summer, copies of major works from the collection of the Musée de Morlaix will be displayed, “in order to revive the museum’s funds and create a link between the Port-Mano district and the city centre,” says Jean-Paul Vermot. “After the summer, this room will benefit from the work to become a permanent exhibition space linked to the museum.”
The main courtyard, currently devoid of any development – except in summer with an ephemeral garden – will also see “a reinforcement of its aesthetic quality”, underlines the president of Morlaix. “But it is not simple because it is useful with its versatility. Such a large space is of great value. We saw it at the Panorama Festival, the Fête de la Bretagne or the arrival of Redadeg.
