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This Biosphere Reserve was created in 1988. It covers 20 600 hectares and includes the islands of Ouessant and Molène (with their 1200 inhabitants) and an archipelago, in shallow waters no deeper than 20 meters, of numerous rocks and small islands. The Isle of Ouessant reaches no higher than 60 meters in altitude and its landscape is one of meadows grazed by sheep and criss-crossed with stone walls. Numerous hamlets are dotted over its 1500 hectares. On Molène, the town over the port looks out across the archipelago where it is possible to see dozens of grey seal and, further off shore a school of bottle-nosed dolphins.

The bottom is mainly covered with vast stretches of oarweed (Laminaria spp.) sheltering numerous fish and crustaceans - it supports quite a little fleet of fishing boats. The many little islets, on which agricultural activity has now ceased, are nesting grounds for a dozen species of sea bird.

Region : Bretagne Département : Finistère (29) Latitude : 48° 24 north Longitude : 4° 58' west Altitude (min/max) : -20 à + 60 m

Main ecosystem: insular and maritime, islands with cliffs, variety of shore, intertidal and benthic habitats Central area: 50 hectares Buffer area: 950 hectares Cooperation area: 21 550 hectares          (including about 20 000 ha of coastal and marine areas) Approximate population: 1196 permanent inhabitants and 30 000 during the tourist season.

Address :

Parc Naturel Régional d?Armorique
15 Place aux foires
BP 27
29590 LA FAOU
Directrice : Véronique Hetet
Tel : 02 98 81 90 08 - Fax : 02 98 81 90 09

Links to other sites :

The website of Ouessant

© MAB-France, 2004
Contact : webmestre