The adventure continues for @Floriane_lt and @carol_ananas as they discover more about the Guérande marshes.
After a well-deserved night's sleep, the two girls set off again for a day in the heart of the salt marshes. After discovering the environment of the Guérande marshes the day before, they'll learn all about the salt worker's trade and salt harvesting methods, to become real experts.
On the program? Visits and thrills!
Summary
Aerial view of the salt marshes
@Floriane_lt and @carol_ananas get the day off to a flying start!
Get to the La Baule-Pornichet aerodrome for a 45-minute flight over the Guérande marshes and all the nearby seaside resorts (le Croisic, le Golfe du Morbihan...). To better understand the mechanism of the Guérande salt marshes, Floriane and Carolane took to the skies aboard a small 4-seater tourist plane.
The two influencers experienced real thrills and enjoyed a panoramic view of the coast! They were able to admire the geometry of the marshes, which allow seawater to be channeled into storage basins (vasières). The water then passes from one basin to the next, ending up in the "œillet", where the salt concentration is allowed to increase. Seen from the air, the marshes take on a multicolored hue that varies according to the concentration of small algae that develop in each basin.
Lunch by the sea
To recover from these strong emotions, Floriane and Carolane are invited to one of Le Guérandais' partner restaurants, La Signature, in Pornichet. This waterfront restaurant-bar offers an idyllic setting coupled with a wide choice of dishes. There's something for everyone!
Guided tour of the Guérande salt marshes
A rich flora and fauna
To round off this stay in style, the two influencers went on a nature walk accompanied by their guide Arnaud.
A reservoir of biodiversity, the Guérande salt marshes bring together all conditions necessary for animal comfort and plant growth. Arnaud shared his knowledge of the marsh environment and ecosystem.
The girls learned that the marsh is home to over 280 species of migratory birds. They kept their eyes peeled, but unfortunately only spotted a few white spoonbills, elegant avocets and sandpipers.
On the other hand, they were surprised by the vegetation bursting with variety and color, especially along the edges of the waterways. Carolane even recognized a plant that all gourmets love: salicornia.
The work of a salt worker, a thousand-year-old craft
Thibault, a young salt worker, accompanied Floriane and Carolane to reveal the secrets of this traditional trade. He was keen to pass on his know-how and his love for the heritage of the salt marshes.
Our two influencers found themselves plunged right into the heart of the history of the Guérande marshes, from their appearance in the Middle Ages, around the 9th century, to the present day.
The Guérande salt marshes: an exceptional natural and human heritage
A grain of salt, a few men and women attached to their culture and an exceptional natural environment were all it took for Guérande salt to see the light of day.
In the midst of traditional fishermen's cottages and bright sunshine, paludiers have been harvesting salt from the Guérande salt marshes for centuries, using age-old artisanal techniques.
From New York to Tokyo, Guérande salt's unique taste properties have conquered the world, and today it can be found on the tables of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants and in home kitchens alike.
Introduction to salt picking
Once they'd become salt marsh experts, Floriane and Carolane got down to the nitty-gritty. Arnaud introduced them to manual salt harvesting techniques, and they tried their hand at la lousse, the utensil used to collect Fleur de sel from the surface of the water. It was a novel and fun experience, but one that required a lot of concentration!"
Carolane was very impressed by the craftsmanship and working techniques of the salt workers:
"The salt worker's trade is one of the few agricultural professions where work is still done by hand!
It's a fine skill that enables us to produce quality salt while preserving the marshes and nature", she boasts on her account.
Floriane and Carolane returned home delighted with their stay. Motivated by the desire to share this experience with others, they created a post and story contest on their respective Instagram accounts to give their followers the chance to win a weekend in this little corner of nature and tradition.
To be won: a night's accommodation and a visit to the Guérande salt marshes!
So, would you like to discover the Guérande salt marshes too?
