If you have additional information about the island or more and/or better maps and/or pictures, please email me at: mr_dakota@hotmail.com
The earliest Coursolles have been traced to Avernne, France. The French army had sent two Coursolle brothers to Ile De Re to help protect it from the British. After their military service, they stayed (at least for a bit). From there they went to Canada. One brother had no children. We are all descended from the other brother. More details can be found in the Narriative of Naz (1971) elsewhere on this web site.
To the northwest of La Rochelle lies the Island of Ré. As you cross the 3-km-long bridge that now links the island to the continent, Ré stretches out across the ocean as far as the eye can see. Indeed, the island is 30 kilomèters long, and from 50 meters to 5 kilomèters at its widest, covering a total surface of about 8,500 hectares. Of this, about 1,500 hectares is marshland. The total population of the island is under 14,000 people, living in 10 communities. The climate on Ré Island is mild all year round-a microclimates blessed by an exceptionally high rate of sunshine (2,600 hours/year) and the influence of the Gulf Stream. Most of the island's beaches are bordered by dunes, in many cases providing the shelter sought by trees such as maritime pines which have developed into forests. Picturesque little ports create the charm along the north coast of the Island. The entire territory of Ré Island has been classified a "protected site".
