Historical Figures

Cottereau Jean, known as Jean Chouan (1757 -1794)

With his three brothers (the Chouan brothers), he fomented in lower Maine the Catholic and royalist insurrection which took the name of chouannerie. The latter was nicknamed Jean Chouan because he had adopted the cry of the owl as a rallying sign. The Chouans carry out a parallel action with the Vendeans, they act north of the Loire, in Brittany and even as far as Normandy, where they benefit from the support of the federalists. After the aborted landing of the English at Quiberon, the Vendée leaders were killed, but the Chouans who were dispersed took up arms again in 1799 with Cadoudal.