Can I walk or cycle freely in the Guérande salt marshes?

No! The Guérande salt marshes are a protected site and a private working area. To preserve this unique environment and respect the know-how of the salt workers, you are not allowed to walk around freely . In summer, walking or cycling is strongly discouraged. This is an essential period for the salt harvest, and traffic becomes denser and strictly regulated. So it’s best to take a guided tour : it’s a fascinating way to immerse yourself in the salt pans and explore them in complete freedom , without disturbing the salt workers.

What water sports activities are available in Guérande?

No. Guérande is not directly by the sea, but don’t panic! Beaches and water sports are never far away on the peninsula. The town of Guérande is more suited to walking , bird-watching and discovering its salt marshes and unique architectural heritage .

Where can I get a high view of the salt marshes?

The villages of Quéniquen and Careil give you a panoramic view of the salt marshes. The Tour Saint-Guénolé in Batz-sur-Mer is even higher, standing 70 metres high and offering a 360° view of the entire peninsula, from the marshes to the ocean.

Where can I buy salt?

You can buy Guérande salt directly from the salt workers , in the Terre de Sel shops ( in Pradel or Guérande intra-muros), at La Maison des Paludiers (Saillé) or at local markets and shops. You’ll find the famous grey salt , flower of salt and other products made using salt-making know-how.

Is the medieval town accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Yes, the medieval town is partially accessible. Some streets are cobbled and have slopes, but the main points of interest – the church of Saint-Aubin and the shops in the centre – have facilities to make visiting them easier. The Tourist Office , which has the Tourism and Disability label, can advise you on an adapted route .

Is there a charge to enter the medieval town?

Access to the interior of the town is free . However, the covered walk is only accessible with an entrance ticket to the Musée de la Porte Saint-Michel .

Guérande | La Baule-Guérande

At the heart of the medieval city

Surrounded by mighty ramparts, Guérande, a Town of Art and History, has a seductive medieval charm and a lively atmosphere. Stroll along its cobbled streets, admire the granite houses and let yourself be carried away by the Breton soul of this “Carcassonne of the West”.

From the Musée de la Porte Saint-Michel, you can visit a third of the fortifications and enjoy a remarkable panoramic view of the city. At the heart of the walled city, the church of Saint-Aubin, a true Gothic gem, dominates the Place du Pilori. At every turn, the town reveals its surprises: old-fashioned and gourmet shops, arts and crafts, flower-filled alleyways…

Every year in June, the town puts on its finest for the Fête Médiévale. Period costumes, craft markets, tournaments and street performances bring the atmosphere of the Middle Ages to life over a festive weekend, bringing residents and visitors together in a unique and friendly atmosphere.

Discover the medieval city

Photo of the Porte St Michel in Guérande — ©Porte St Michel in Guérande|Elise Fournier

Photo of a salt worker in the Guérande salt marshes — ©Guérande salt marshes|alexandre lamoureux

Between salt and sky

The Guérande salt marshes are a living landscape, shaped by nature and the skills of the salt workers, handed down from generation to generation. On the edges of the salt marshes, the salorges – the old salt warehouses, recognisable by their buttresses and slate or tile roofs – are a reminder of the area’s history of salt production.

Covering almost 2,000 hectares, this Natura 2000 and Site Remarquable du Goût (Outstanding Taste Site) is home to an exceptional biodiversity of migratory birds, glasswort and halophilous plants. The salt marshes can be visited all year round, and offer a different setting for each season.

Guided tours of the salt marshes are essential if you want to immerse yourself in the heart of this fragile environment andgain access to the salt marshes, where the salt workers work. As the marshes are private property, visitors are not allowed to walk around freely.

Visit the salt marshes

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Discover the salt-marsh villages dotted around the Guérande salt marshes. Each tells the fascinating story of the salt workers and invites you to take an immersive stroll through a unique natural and architectural landscape.

Saillé

The village of Saillé grew up on a small “island” in the heart of the salt marshes, and is one of the main villages in the Guérande commune. Here you’ll find traditional salt marsh houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, easily recognisable by their arched doorways and triangular pedimented dormer windows.

Clis

Situated on the Guerande hillside, the village of Clis is a mixture of salt workers’ houses and manor houses, recalling the past of small local seigneuries. These include the manor houses of Kerpondarmes and Kersalio, as well as the Château de Tuloc. Although the village’s wealth is mainly linked to the salt industry, Clis is also renowned for the quality of its granite, which was extracted from its quarries until the early 20th century.

Quéniquen and Careil

These two hilltop villages offer unique views over the marshes. Careil was once the seat of a castellany, as evidenced by the presence of a castle. Of medieval origin, it was extensively altered in the 16th century and is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Guérande.

Picnic break!

'La Masse' picnic area

Organising my stay

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Your questions!

Can I walk or cycle freely in the Guérande salt marshes?
No! The Guérande salt marshes are a protected site and a private working area. To preserve this unique environment and respect the know-how of the salt workers, you are not allowed to walk around freely.
In summer, walking or cycling is strongly discouraged. This is an essential period for the salt harvest, and traffic becomes denser and strictly regulated.
So it’s best to take a guided tour: it’s a fascinating way to immerse yourself in the salt pans and explore them in complete freedom, without disturbing the salt workers.
What water sports activities are available in Guérande?
No. Guérande is not directly by the sea, but don’t panic! Beaches and water sports are never far away on the peninsula.
The town of Guérande is more suited to walking, bird-watching and discovering its salt marshes and unique architectural heritage .
Where can I get a high view of the salt marshes?
- The villages of Quéniquen and Careil give you a panoramic view of the salt marshes.
- The Tour Saint-Guénolé in Batz-sur-Mer is even higher, standing 70 metres high and offering a 360° view of the entire peninsula, from the marshes to the ocean.
Where can I buy salt?
You can buy Guérande salt directly from the salt workers, in the Terre de Sel shops ( in Pradel or Guérande intra-muros), at La Maison des Paludiers (Saillé) or at local markets and shops. You’ll find the famous grey salt, flower of salt and other products made using salt-making know-how.
Is the medieval town accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Yes, the medieval town is partially accessible. Some streets are cobbled and have slopes, but the main points of interest – the church of Saint-Aubin and the shops in the centre – have facilities to make visiting them easier. The Tourist Office, which has the Tourism and Disability label, can advise you on an adapted route.
Is there a charge to enter the medieval town?
Access to the interior of the town is free. However, the covered walk is only accessible with an entrance ticket to the Musée de laPorte Saint-Michel.

Guérande Medieval and salty immersion

At the heart of the medieval city

Between salt and sky

Explore more

Picnic break!

Organising my stay

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