Country France Department Finistère Canton Saint-Renan Area 75 ha | Region Brittany Arrondissement Brest Intercommunality Pays d'Iroise | |
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Molène (Breton: Molenez) is an island off the west coast of Brittany and one of the Ponant Islands, the largest of an archipelago of some twenty islands. Administratively, it is part of a commune of the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France, the commune of Île-Molène, which also comprises several neighbouring islets.
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Geography
The island is small, less than 1 by 0.9 km (0.56 mi), and has an area of 75 hectares. The community and only port are located to the east of the island, opposite a small island called the Lédénes of Molène that becomes connected at low tide.
Population
Inhabitants of Île-Molène are called in French Molénais. The population has declined in recent decades, but Molène remains inhabited, with a population of 169 (2013 census).
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.