Île-Molène
Molenez
Commune
A general view of Molène
A general view of Molène
Location of Île-Molène
Île-Molène is located in France
Île-Molène
Île-Molène
Île-Molène is located in Brittany
Île-Molène
Île-Molène
Coordinates: 48°23′50″N 4°57′20″W / 48.3972°N 4.9556°W / 48.3972; -4.9556
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentFinistère
ArrondissementBrest
CantonSaint-Renan
IntercommunalityPays d'Iroise
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Didier Delhalle[1]
Area
1
0.75 km2 (0.29 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[2]
162
 • Density220/km2 (560/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
29084 /29259
Elevation0–26 m (0–85 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Molène (French pronunciation: [mɔlɛn]; Breton: Molenez) is an island off the west coast of Brittany and one of the Ponant Isles, making it the largest of an archipelago of twenty islands. In tiers of government it is in Finistère, a department of Brittany in north-western France – specifically at the heart of the commune of Île-Molène, which takes in neighbouring islets.

Geography

The island is small, less than 1 by 0.9 km (0.56 mi), and covers under 75 hectares (190 acres) of non-foreshore land. The community and port are on the east side, opposite a tiny tidal island, the Lédénes of Molène.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 527—    
1975 397−3.97%
1982 330−2.61%
1990 277−2.16%
1999 264−0.53%
2009 211−2.22%
2014 151−6.47%
2020 162+1.18%
Source: INSEE[2]

Inhabitants of Île-Molène are called Molénais. The number of permanent residents has fallen in recent decades, but Molène remains inhabited, with a permanent population of 162 as of 2020.

Amenities

The island's electricity is produced by a small diesel generator. Potable water supplies are from rainwater catchment, with each household additionally maintaining its own cistern.

A local delicacy is Molène sausage, which has the distinction of being smoked with seaweed.

Wreckage history

Per a repetitive old Breton proverb, "Qui voit Molène voit sa peine / Qui voit Ouessant voit son sang / Qui voit Sein voit sa fin / Qui voit Groix voit sa croix." ("Who sees Molène sees his pain/penalty / who sees Ushant sees his blood / who sees Sein sees his end / who sees Groix sees his cross"). This proverb underlines local points being often deadly to navigate.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 9 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Île de Molène.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Archipel de Molène.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Molène.


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