This is a little-known story of Ouessant, which disappears under the flood of tourists who disembark every morning at the port of Le Stiff.
But the wise visitor can discern its contours, if he follows with his eyes, along the jagged coasts of the island, the stone walls delimiting old agricultural plots, vestiges of a bygone era.
Ouessant, the island of the priestesses;
the island of women in mourning;
the island of the rain girls.
Hostile stone where a unique matriarchy in Europe had been built over the centuries.
At the origin of this system, there is perhaps still geography.
Ouessant is an inhospitable island, battered by contrary winds and dangerous currents, which leave no chance for ships that are too fragile.
Its steep cliffs do not offer an ideal situation to build a port.
There has never been any regular fishing activity on the island.
Under Colbert, idle men were requisitioned on the king's ships.
Then there were the great voyages, the call for spices...
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