Plancoët

Plancoët is a French brand of natural mineral water that originates from the Sassoy spring in the village of Plancoët, located in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany. The water has been recognized for its purity and health benefits for over a century, with historical records indicating that Gallo-Roman populations already visited the spring. Commercial exploitation began in the early 20th century under the impetus of Dr. Chambrin, a local physician and mayor, who introduced water cures in 1916 and obtained official recognition as a natural mineral water in 1928. Initially sold as "eau de table de Nazareth" to visitors in the Dinard region, the brand gradually expanded its production and distribution. Over the decades, Plancoët developed a strong regional identity, marketed as "l'eau phare de Bretagne" (the flagship water of Brittany). The brand offers still and sparkling natural mineral water, as well as lemonade, and emphasizes its local roots and environmental commitments. The source is protected within a 96-hectare perimeter where agricultural activities have been prohibited since the early days of exploitation, ensuring the water's purity. The bottling plant is supplied by three boreholes at a depth of 120 meters, producing millions of bottles annually. Ownership of Plancoët changed over time. In 1992, the brand came under the control of the Nestlé group. In 2014, it was sold to Groupe Ogeu (formerly SEMO groupe), a French family-owned company specializing in beverages. Under Groupe Ogeu, Plancoët continues to be positioned as a regional water with strong ties to Brittany, and it has also been noted for its low mineral content and absence of certain micro-pollutants in independent studies. The brand remains active and is a well-known fixture in the Breton market.

The history of Plancoët natural mineral water begins in the village of Plancoët, in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany, at a spring known as Sassoy (or Sassay). The name Sassoy derives from the Latin "saxis aquae," meaning "rock water," and the spring was already frequented during the Gallo-Roman era for its beneficial properties. However, commercial exploitation did not start until the early 20th century. A key figure in the brand's history is Dr. Chambrin, born in Plancoët in 1870, who settled in the commune and became its mayor. During World War I, in 1916, he proposed water cures from the Sassoy spring to some of his patients. In 1920, drinking cures began at the spring or at home, and in 1921 the water's qualities made it an ideal mixing water for infant feeding. In 1928, artisanal production started, and the water obtained recognition as a natural mineral water. Dr. Chambrin also took measures to protect the site from pollution, establishing a 96-hectare protection perimeter where all agricultural activities were banned—a restriction that remains in place today. Initially, the water was sold under the name "eau de table de Nazareth" to curists in the Dinard region. Production grew steadily: in 1932, the spring produced 200,000 bottles; in 1954, new facilities were built, increasing output from 2.7 million bottles in 1954 to 5.5 million in 1959. In 1940, Dr. René Léon conducted a biological study on the water's purity. Sales continued to rise from the 1950s onward. In 1992, the brand came under the control of the Nestlé group. In 2011, a sparkling version was introduced. In 2014, Plancoët was sold to Groupe Ogeu (formerly SEMO groupe), a French family-owned beverage company. Under Groupe Ogeu, the brand has maintained its regional focus and continues to be marketed as "l'eau phare de Bretagne." The bottling plant is supplied by three boreholes at a depth of 120 meters, producing 15 million bottles annually. The plant also produces spring water under the Sainte-Alix brand. Plancoët water is known for its very low mineral content, with a pH of 4.6 and a dry residue of 267 mg/L at 105°C. A 2011 study by WWF France found that among 15 bottled water sites tested, Plancoët was one of only two that contained none of the targeted micro-pollutants within quantification limits.

• 2014

  Brand sold to Groupe Ogeu (formerly SEMO groupe).

• 2011

  Sparkling version introduced.

• 1992

  Brand comes under control of Nestlé group.

• 1959

  Production reaches 5.5 million bottles.

• 1954

  New facilities built; production reaches 2.7 million bottles.

• 1940

  Dr. René Léon conducts a biological study on the water's purity.

• 1932

  Production reaches 200,000 bottles.

• 1928

  Artisanal production starts; water recognized as natural mineral water.

• 1921

  Water recognized as ideal for infant feeding.

• 1920

  Drinking cures begin at the spring or at home.

• 1916

  Dr. Chambrin proposes water cures from the Sassoy spring to his patients.

Regional natural mineral water from Brittany, emphasizing purity, local heritage, and environmental responsibility.

• Plancoët still natural mineral water

• Plancoët sparkling natural mineral water

• Plancoët lemonade

• Sainte-Alix spring water

1. 1Official websiteeau-plancoet.com
2. 2Plancoët history pageeau-plancoet.com
3. 3Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Wikipedia (French)fr.wikipedia.org