FOUGERES, town of north-western France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, 3o m. N.E. of Rennes by rail. Pop. (1931) 20,229. Fougeres frequently figures in Breton history from the 11th to the 15th century. It was taken by the English in 1166, and again in 1448. In 1488 it was taken by the troops of Charles VIII. In the middle ages Fougeres was a lordship of some importance, which in the 13th century passed into the possession of the family of Lusignan, and in 13o7 was confiscated by the crown and afterwards changed hands many times. In 1793, during the wars of the Vendee, it was occupied by the insurgents. It was formerly on the frontier towards Nor mandy, and, of its mediaeval fortifications, the 15th century Porte St. Sulpice still exists. The castle, situated in the lower part of the town, overlooking the Nancon, is now in ruins, but its ruined towers and outworks give evidence of its strength. The finest of the towers was erected in I242 by Hugues of Lusignan, and named after Melusine, the mythical foundress of the family. The churches of St. Leonard and St. Sulpice both date, partly at least, from the 15th century. An hotel de ville and a belfry, both of the century, are of architectural interest, and the town possesses many curious old houses. Fougeres is the seat of a subprefect, and has a tribunal of first instance, a chamber of commerce. It manu factures boots and shoes; tanning and leather-dressing and the manufacture of sail-cloth and other fabrics are also important. Trade is in butter and salted goods and in the granite of the neighbouring quarries.