The Guérande salt marshes are 52 km² of landscapes shaped over the centuries by salt workers with unrivalled know-how. An exceptional territory, to be discovered as a matter of urgency during your visit to the area! But what are the must-see tourist sites in the area?
Terre de Sel is a key player in the economic development of the region. Its salt workers harvest salt and samphire using traditional techniques, in the enchanting setting of the Guérande marshes. The cooperative also organises family walks, short hikes and classic guided tours to help you discover its exceptional know-how.
Practical information :
Terre de Sel
Pradel
44 350 Guérande
02 40 62 08 80
https://www.terredesel.com/fr/
Open every day (except 01/01 and 25/12) from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm from 02/01 to 31/01, from 10am to 6pm from 01/02 to 31/03, from 10am to 6.30pm from 01/04 to 30/06 and from 01/09 to 31/10, from 9am to 7.30pm from 01/07 to 31/08 and from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm from 01/11 to 31/12
The House of the salt workers is a unique place of its kind. It is an eco-museum created by the association of the Celtic Circle of salt workers in order to promote the salt worker traditions of the Guérande coastline. The discovery of the site is done in two stages: first the visit of the interpretation centre (with detailed explanations on the work of the salt workers), then the visit of the saltworks in the company of a guide.
Practical information :
The salt workers’ house
18 rue des prés Garnier
44 350 Saillé
09 53 07 74 06
contact@maisondespaludiers.fr
Open every day from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm from 01/05 to 31/08, from 10am to 12pm and from 2.30pm to 5.30pm from 01/09 to 30/09, then from 2.30pm to 5.30pm from 01/10 to 31/10
Are you passionate about nature, birds and the contemplation of wide open spaces? Then head for the Brière Regional Nature Park. This bird sanctuary covers 54,800 hectares (including 20,200 hectares of wetlands) to the east of the Guérande salt marshes. In summer, it is not uncommon to come across herring gulls, white stilts, black kites, great egrets and even storks! To find out where to observe as many birds as possible in the park, leaf through the leaflets and the virtual guide accessible below.
Practical information:
www.parc-naturel-briere.com/wp-content/uploads/telechargements/ou-observer-les-oiseaux.pdf
www.parc-naturel-briere.com/wp-content/uploads/telechargements/ou-observer-les-oiseaux-a-la-rnr.pdf
https://fr.calameo.com/read/000667065c04d743f12d1
The town of Guérande, which is less than 10 minutes by car from the salt marshes, is well worth a visit. This multi-millennial city was founded in the 4th century AD, during the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Are you a history buff? Take a stroll with your family through the narrow streets of its medieval suburb enclosed in a 15th century fortified wall. The commune provides an interactive map (see link below).
Practical information :
https://www.ville-guerande.fr/mairie-vie-municipale/decouvrir-la-ville/carte-interactive
