Alexis Gourvennec

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Alexis Gourvennec (January 11, 1936 to February 19, 2007) was a Breton pig farmer and economic leader who played a major role in the regeneration of Brittany after WW2. In the early 60s he was a leading militant in the Young Farmers' Movement, and in 1961 he helped found and led SICA (Societe d'Interet Collectif Agricole) St-Pol-de-Leon.

He was a leader of a group of leading Bretons who pressed 5 key demands (from the regional structure plan) on the French administration in the late 60s

A modern road network, between the region and Paris
The setting up of a state of the art telecommunications network
A strengthing of educational provision especially Brest University
Improving industrial development at Brest
The construction of a deep-water port at Roscoff

The French government agreed to these demands in October 1968.

Gourvennec saw a place for Brittany as part of a 'Celtic arc', stretching down the entire Atlantic coastline of Europe, and was keen to develop a service from Roscoff to Plymouth. However, no existing ferry company viewed the route as worthwhile, and so Gourvennec and colleagues founded the Brittany Ferries.

When Prince Charles visited Finistere in 1988, the local media apparently headlined his meeting with Gourvennec as 'Prince of Wales at the home of the Prince of Brittany' (see article by Peter Forde)