It was on 14 March 1957 that the National Assembly adopted the new name of the department: Loire-Atlantique. A turbulent history between Breton belonging and Loire identity.
It was on 14 March 1957 that, after fierce debate, the National Assembly definitively adopted the new name of the department: Loire-Atlantique, a name preferred to those of Loire-Océan or Loire-Maritime. Its baptismal name dated from the creation of the departments in 1790, in the effervescent period of the French Revolution. It was considered in the mid-20th century that this name harmed the economic development of the region and its tourist growth.
Through a history as fascinating as it is troubled, the city of Nantes, and thus its department, was or was not "Breton". Before the 9th century, Nantes was a solid support of the Frankish people, fiercely opposed to the Bretons.
In the middle of that distant era, in the year 851, the Count of Vannes, a certain Nominoë, nevertheless managed to unite the counties of Redon and Nantes, making Brittany a solid independent kingdom.
One need only consider that the Ducal Castle of Nantes was, until the end of the 15th century, that of the Dukes of Brittany, and of course of Anne of Brittany. The Land of Briord, in the person of Pierre Landais, treasurer and receiver general of Brittany between 1460 and 1485, testifies unequivocally to the province's belonging to historic Brittany.
Until the end of the 18th century, for nearly 1,000 years, we are on Breton soil. Then the revolutionary turmoil brought about the turmoil of belonging. By abolishing the provinces of the Ancien Régime, the revolutionaries created the departments. The re-separation of the department from Brittany is attributed to the Vichy government in 1941.
In the 21st century, this question of high importance is the subject of lively debate. Will Loire-Atlantique become Breton again? The debates and the wagers are open!