MAURICE, A ROOSTER ON TRIAL! | M6 | 66 minutes

On the isle of Oléron, the rooster, symbol of France, is summoned to be silent. His crow is considered to be daytime disturbance of the peace! Corinne Fesseau couldn’t believe her eyes or her ears when a bailiff arrived with a summons to appear before the Rochefort court on June 6. Her neighbours are suing her for noise disturbance. The plaintiffs demand she get rid of her rooster, by the name of Maurice. “I don’t understand. I’ve lived here for 35 years. These people, whom I’ve never spoken to, only come three times a year: Christmas, Easter and in the Summer. It’s absurd.”So, has war been declared between vacationers and islanders? Because this is not the first time a rooster has been asked not to crow. Paloma had to deal with a similar complaint from neighbours who were only intermittenly in residence. Now a petition is going around. It has already attracted 30,000 signatures to save the cock crow. The mayor of Saint-Pierre d’Alene, Christophe Sueur has just issued an order restating the rural character of Oléron and that roosters have their rightful place. Vacationers against islanders, for or against the rooster’s crow, the law will decide. Meanwhile, Maurice is suffering from stress. For several days, he’s been without a voice and no longer crows. “He needs a shrink,”sighs Corinne.