Hœdic

Hœdic
Edig
An aerial view of Hœdic
An aerial view of Hœdic
Flag of Hœdic
Coat of arms of Hœdic
Location of Hœdic
Map
Hœdic is located in France
Hœdic
Hœdic
Hœdic is located in Brittany
Hœdic
Hœdic
Coordinates: 47°20′25″N 2°52′40″W / 47.3403°N 2.8778°W / 47.3403; -2.8778
CountryFrance
RegionBrittany
DepartmentMorbihan
ArrondissementLorient
CantonQuiberon
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jean-Luc Chiffoleau[1]
Area
1
2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
100
 • Density48/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
56085 /56170
Elevation0–22 m (0–72 ft)
(avg. 14 m or 46 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Hœdic or Hoëdic (French pronunciation: [edik];[3][4] Breton: Edig) is an island off the south coast of Brittany in northwestern France. Its bigger "twin sister" island is Houat.

Administratively, Hœdic is a commune in the Morbihan department.[5]

Geography

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Hœdic is located in the heart of Mor Braz [fr], a bay in the Atlantic Ocean off the south coast of Brittany (Rhuys and Quiberon peninsulas), 13 km (8.1 miles) east of Belle-Île and 5 km (3.1 miles) southeast of Houat. It is part of a line of granite crests that includes the Le Croisic peninsula, Dumet Island, Houat, Quiberon, and Groix.

Hœdic is a low, undulating plateau, 800 metres (2,600 ft) wide by 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) long. Its peak, at an altitude of 22 metres (72 ft), is located in the middle of its eastern part, on the road that leads from the village to the hamlet of the Phare. The island's base consists essentially of granite and less often of schists. The coast is an alternation of sandy coves and rocky points of variable height, generally more marked to the north (Beg Lagat, the Old Castle) than to the south (Beg Er Faut, Kasperakiz). There are two marshes, one modest, behind the dune of the new harbor, the other about twenty hectares behind the dune of the old port. In addition to the main island, the town has several small islands, including Roc'h Melen, Madavoar, Cardinals, Mulons, and others.

Human geography

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Hœdic has long been associated with familial polyculture of livestock and crops—that is, in farms owned by people and families rather than heavily industrialised farms[6]—along with their fishing resources. The former disappeared in the middle of the 20th century, while the latter had a second wind in the 1980s but is currently declining. Currently, Hœdic is largely dependent on tourism, even more significantly than its neighbour Houat. Similar to Houat, the majority of its land is being invaded by brush.

Hœdic is a car-free island with around 100 inhabitants in the wintertime. During the summer, its population can reach 3,000, including boaters, tourists, and campers coming to the island. The island is connected to the mainland via Compagnie Océane boats year-round and Compagnie des Iles boats during the tourist season (connections from Quiberon).

Demographics

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Inhabitants of Hœdic are called Hœdicais.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Maires du Morbihan" (PDF). Préfecture du Morbihan. 7 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Télé Matin. "Actu - Portrait du maire de Hoedic (Morbihan)". YouTube.
  4. ^ Midi en France. "L'île d'Hoëdic, les charmes d'une vie insulaire en Bretagne". YouTube.
  5. ^ INSEE commune file
  6. ^ Brigitte Alain (February 2014). "Qu'est-ce que l'agriculture familiale ?" (in French). No. 222. Retrieved 20 April 2020. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
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