Ploërmel (French: [ploɛʁmɛl] ⓘ; Breton: Ploermael; Gallo language: Pieurmè) is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany, in north-western France.
Ploërmel is set on the edge of the Brocéliande forest, which legend proclaims is the home of Merlin the Magician, amongst other fantastical characters.
Two groups of approximately 30 English and French knights staged a tournament at a spot between the two towns, to show their prowess and make money by capturing opponents.
31 inhabitants were killed, 125 wounded, by the American air raid on the railway station on 12 June, during the Normandy landings.
It was a gift by Russo-Georgian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and has sparked controversy over the separation of Church and State.