He admits, he was a little taken aback.
When Éric Jousseaume, mayor of Île-Tudy, learned from France 3, a month and a half ago, that his town was in the running for the Breton selection of the “French favorite village” presented by Stéphane Bern, he did not didn't expect it.
And even less to be unanimously selected by the show's jury to wear the colors of your region against strong competitors like Collioure, Gassin or Thomery.
A surprise which quickly gave way to joy within the municipal team of this village of 754 inhabitants in winter and more than 8,000 in summer.
“It’s very flattering for us, but also for the Bigouden country whose entrance we are marking.
This spotlight will perhaps show that outside of the summer season, things are happening here,” smiles Éric Jousseaume, who praises the pleasant family functioning of his town, which has a school and a very dynamic associative fabric.
The village has managed to protect itself from concrete construction and attracts visitors in fine weather with its typical streets, its small marina and its beaches.
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Small in size (126 hectares), this peninsula since 1852 and the construction of a dike connecting it to the continent, is nonetheless full of charm.
“Before this date, there were a few fishermen's houses who lived frugally and had to scull to the continent to sell their catch,” says Marguerite Léon, assistant for culture.
Île-Tudy was in fact a sardine town for years, housing several canneries.
Even if today only very picturesque fishermen's houses remain, the place has managed to preserve itself from concrete and seduces visitors in fine weather with its typical streets, its small marina and its kilometers of sandy beach. END.
“People are welcome if they are respectful”
If, upon the announcement of this selection, we were able to witness an outcry on social networks, with some locals fearing an influx of tourists, making parking and traffic impossible in the summer, the mayor wants to be reassuring.
“The residents take care of their village and their concern is legitimate.
We are always afraid of change.
But we already live to the rhythm of the seasons.
The media coverage that accompanies this competition will not change our operation,” assures Éric Jousseaume.
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“We have already taken measures for years to make tourist activity less restrictive.
As we, like all coastal communities, suffered from incivility linked to summer crowds, we encouraged gentle travel, parking upstream of the city center, and closed the parking bay.
We have 60% second homes in the town, a hotel and three campsites.
The hosting capacity is not expandable.
People are welcome if they are respectful of our heritage,” concludes the elected official, recalling that Île-Tudy… has not yet won!
“We have no idea when the results will be announced.
But if we see Stéphane Bern one day at our place, we will be fixed,” jokes Éric Jousseaume.
Voting is open until March 8 at 11:59 p.m.
Brittany has already won the competition in 2015 and 2016 with Rochefort-en-Terre and Ploumanac'h.