Caquins of Brittany

The Caquins of Brittany, (also Cacous Kakouz, Caqueux, Caquets, and Caquous) were groups of inhabitants who worked as coopers and ropemakers, subjected to exclusion in their villages located in Brittany, between the thirteenth century and modern times.

It is believed that the exclusion of the Caquins was based on the fear of leprosy, where Caquin rope makers were believed to be descendants of lepers and could spread leprosy. This potential leprous origin as well as their treatment, until the eighteenth century, mean they are often compared to the Cagots of southwestern France and northern Spain, or the crétins des Alpes of the Swiss Alps, there is however no mention of physical or mental particularities specific to the Caquins.