At a glance
A must-see when discovering the north of the island, the salt marshes beckon anyone wishing to explore the wildest part of Ré.
2021 0906 Loix Marais Salants Laurence Furic Didr2021 0906 Loix Marais Salants Laurence Furic Didr|
At the heart of the white gold treasure
Present on the Ile de Ré since at least the XIᵉ century, in the Middle Ages, the island’s salt marshes made it an ideal land for the exploitation of white gold.
The island’s salt marshes hide many treasures, the best known of which is obviously its salt. But there’s another, more ephemeral treasure worth the trip: their colors. Venture into these magnificent landscapes when the weather is fine and the flowers are in full bloom, and admire the sumptuous reflections of blue, green, pink and yellow, like living paintings.
It’s a call to enchantment in the midst of a rich and generous nature.
2022 0715 Loix Marais Salants Laura Gay Didr2022 0715 Loix Marais Salants Laura Gay Didr|
202305 La Couarde Saunier 3 Brock Betty202305 La Couarde Saunier 3 Brock Betty|
Explorer’s Guide
On foot or by bike, take in this postcard-perfect setting and appreciate its every color and aspect. These basins have been skilfully dug out of the clay so that water flows by gravity from one to the other.
Then, head off to the salt marsh eco-museum to learn more about the history of salt farming and the production techniques used in the retais salt marshes.
All that’s left for you to do is savour to complete your trip to the land of salt!
The salt marsh ecomuseum
From March to the end of November, the ecomuseum invites you to discover the history of salt farming and the production techniques of the Retais salt marshes.
An exhibition followed by a guided tour of a working salt marsh reveals how it works, the route taken by water from the sea to crystallization, and the tools and methods used in the centuries-old trade of salt-making.
Ecomuseum tour
Ecomuseum rates :
– Adults €6
– Children (8 to 11 years) €3
Prices for the enchanted walk :
– Adult €10
– Teenager €7
– Children €5
Did you know?
In the XIXᵉ century, there were more than 1,000 sauniers on the Ile de Ré; today, only a hundred or so remain.
Prepare your visit
Enchanted stroll through the marshes
Meet at the salt marsh eco-museum.
On Thursday afternoons in season, you can take a stroll through the meandering salt marshes. During this visit, punctuated by the poetic story of how the salt-marsh workers turned water into salt, you’ll be transported by music and sounds from elsewhere, making this a magical moment for the whole family.
Lovers of lyrical art, musical performance and local produce, this is an event not to be missed.
Did you like this content? Please share it with others!
