Île-Grande Explained

Île-Grande
Native Name:Enez-Veur
Map:France Côtes-d'Armor
Location:English Channel
Coordinates:48.8013°N -3.575°W
Length Km:2
Width Km:1
Country:France
Country Admin Divisions Title:Region
Country Admin Divisions:Brittany
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Department
Country Admin Divisions 1:Côtes-d'Armor
Country Admin Divisions Title 2:Arrondissement
Country Admin Divisions 2:Lannion

Île-Grande (Enez-Veur in Breton) is an island on the north coast of Brittany (France), linked to the mainland by a road. Its size is about 2 km by 1 km, and there is a village on the island. It is in the commune of Pleumeur-Bodou (department of Côtes-d'Armor).

A smaller island, Île Aganton, is to the west, adjacent to Île-Grande. On the coast, Trébeurden lies to the south-west, and Trégastel to the east.

Prehistory

In the centre of the island is a prehistoric site, an allée couverte (gallery grave). The site is known as Ty-Lia or Ty-ar-C'horrandoned. Constructed in neolithic times, its size is about 9 metres by 1.5 metres; several upright stones support two large stone slabs.[1]

Literary associations

The writer Joseph Conrad stayed at a house in Île-Grande from 7 April to 14 August 1896, during his honeymoon. He worked there on his novel The Rescue. His short story "The Idiots" was set in the area, and includes many details observed during his stay there; granite-quarrying is mentioned, which was important for the island at that time.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=8664 Ty-Lia
  2. http://www.terresdecrivains.com/Joseph-CONRAD-a-Lannion-et-l-Ile Joseph Conrad à Lannion et l’Ile grande