It is a small wild island located off the coast of Perros-Guirec. On Friday, the very quiet Île aux Moines (not the one in Morbihan, let us clarify) will experience the tumult of a presidential visit. Classified as a biodiversity reserve, the largest island in the Sept-Iles archipelago (Côtes-d’Armor) will welcome this Friday the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte as part of a visit dedicated to the Heritage Days. A little boat trip far from the tumult of Paris and the political negotiations that occupy Michel Barnier, still in search of a government.
In addition to being a privileged nesting ground for many seabirds, Île aux Moines is also home to a major system of fortifications established in the 17th century and designed by Siméon Garengeau, chief engineer of the fortifications of Saint-Malo and student of the inevitable Vauban. The fort and its barracks, which suffered from the years and the sea spray, were classified as “emblematic monuments” during the Heritage Lottery in 2020, paving the way for a restoration estimated at 350,000 euros.
Stéphane Bern, in charge of the Heritage Mission and friend of the president, will accompany the presidential couple. The restoration of the fort will begin this fall, assures the Élysée. The lighthouse on the island will also be restored to be transformed into a scientific lodge.
Nearly a thousand sites supported
In its press release, the Elysée recalls the State’s efforts to contribute to the preservation of French heritage. “The launch of the Mission Bern as well as the creation of the Heritage Lottery have helped 950 sites by mobilizing more than 280 million euros,” the President’s office specifies.
Emmanuel Macron had already travelled to Brittany in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Landing and General de Gaulle’s appeal, notably during a trip to the island of Sein.
