Lorient's achieved its biggest honour in 2002 when the club won the Coupe de France defeating Bastia 1–0 in the final.

Lorient has most notably served as a springboard club for several present-day internationals such as Laurent Koscielny, André-Pierre Gignac, Michaël Ciani, Kevin Gameiro, Karim Ziani, Bakari Koné, Matteo Guendouzi, and Seydou Keita.

Lorient was formed off of La Marée Sportive, a club founded a year earlier by Madame Cuissard, a store patron who originated from Saint-Étienne, and her son Joseph.

Cuissard began one of the first Lorient players to maintain a place in the France national team while playing with the club.

In 1967, under the chairmanship of both Jean Tomine and René Fougère, Lorient placed a bid to turn professional and was elected to Division 2 by the French League.

The potential of that team had proved above its classification when the club qualified for its first French FA Cup quarter-finals in history.

In the early 1980s, Georges Guenoum took over the club as president and hired former Lorient player Christian Gourcuff as manager.

Gourcuff left the club after its first Division 2 campaign, with relegation only being effective through an unfavourable goal difference.

Amazingly, Lorient finished equal on points with Le Havre with both clubs having the same number of wins, losses, and draws.

Despite the initial issues, Lorient strengthened its squad in preparation for its return to the first division by recruiting players such as Pascal Delhommeau, Moussa Saïb, Johan Cavalli, and Pape Malick Diop.

Led by Yvon Pouliquen, the new signings joined the likes of Jean-Claude Darcheville, Arnaud Le Lan, and Seydou Keita and surprised many by reaching the final of the Coupe de la Ligue.

Lorient continued its impressive cup form by winning the Coupe de France just two months later.

The club participated in the UEFA Cup the following season, falling to Turkish side Denizlispor in the first round on away goals.

[7] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.