An island village of more than 900 inhabitants, Ouessant takes place on the island of the same name, in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the Regional Natural Park of Armorique and the Marine Nature Park of Iroise.
Accessible by plane or by boat, the commune of Ouessant would have developed since the sixth century with the arrival of Pol Aurélien, a disciple of saint Gildas, on the island. The latter is at the origin of a monastery whose vestiges are still visible today. Long isolated, the village has lived for centuries lived fishing, drying, and contraband, before turning to a flourishing tourism.
The religious and architectural heritage of the municipality attracts as many visitors as all the natural environment of its surroundings. Preserved, the village of Ouessant seduces by its authenticity and its wild side.
Two interesting museums take place at Ouessant. The first, the eco-museum of Niou-Huella reveals all the traditions and other habits of life on the island of Ouessant. The second, located at the Créac'h lighthouse, traces the history of lighthouses and beacons, and more particularly their technical evolution.
There is no shortage of lighthouses on Ouessant, and there are no less than two lighthouses on land and three lighthouses at sea. Built in the 19th century, Créac'h lighthouse signals entry into the Channel on the west coast from the island. At its feet, there is the museum of lighthouses and beacons. Older, the lighthouse Stiff dates from the seventeenth century. Built under Vauban, it overlooks Ouessant in its highest part. The lighthouse of the mare, the twentieth century, the lighthouse of Nividic, automated in the second half of the twentieth century, and the lighthouse of Kéréon. This is the last built in the open sea, and is nicknamed the Palace because of its floors in marquetry, or even its furniture of value.
Do not forget to visit the religious heritage of the island, particularly the Saint-Pol-Aurélien church, which pays tribute to the disciple of Saint Gildas who came to evangelise the island. Built in the second half of the 19th century on the remains of an ancient building, it houses some very beautiful statues of Notre-Dame-d'Ouessant, the Holy Virgin, Saint Pol Aurelian, Saint Anne or Saint Beard. In the adjoining cemetery, it is also possible to admire a 19th century proëlla in polychrome wood. It pays tribute to all sailors and fishermen of Ouessant who died at sea.
Several chapels also take place on the island, like those of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Voyage or Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Espérance. Near the cross of Saint Pol, the oldest of the island (17th century), one can discover a flat stone with furrows which, according to local legend, would have been traced by the devil himself. You can also see the traces of St. Pol's knees.
But Ouessant is also an important natural heritage that one can discover the time of walks by the sea or in the land. The beaches are not lacking in charm, like the bays of Porspaul, the Stiff, or points of Créac'h, or Pern. Offshore, you can also discover the island of Keller.
On July 14, the municipality offers a ball, as well as a fireworks.
Every year in August, the island hosts the book fair.
The festival of the Ilophone, a musical festival, is held every year at the beginning of September.
