Why has Guérande been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label?

Guérande was awarded this label in 2004 for the quality and diversity of its heritage . Its ramparts, church, salt marshes and salt-making traditions bear witness to a rich history that is still very much alive today. The label also guarantees a genuine approach to cultural mediation, accessible to all.

What's the best place to visit in the medieval city?

The 14th-century ramparts are a must-see, as are the church of Saint-Aubin and the narrow streets of the old town. A stroll inside the fortifications reveals a town on a human scale, marked by its commercial and spiritual past.

Can you discover Guérande's heritage all year round?

Yes, Guérande can be visited all year round. Guided tours, exhibitions, workshops and events are on offer throughout the year to help you discover our heritage, whether you’re just passing through or a local resident.

Is the tour suitable for families?

Exactly. Fun tours, educational workshops and shows are regularly organised for children and families. The aim is to make the history of Guérande understandable and lively, whatever the age.

Town of Art and History

Set between the ocean and the salt marshes, the medieval town of Guérande proudly boasts the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (Town of Art and History) label. Its ramparts, the collegiate church of Saint-Aubin and the traditions of the salt marshes bear witness to a living heritage, where culture and nature combine to offer a unique way of life to be discovered all year round.

Guérande, emblematic city

Awarded the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (Town of Art and History) label in 2004, Guérande is the perfect embodiment of this approach.

The medieval town invites you to step back in time as soon as you pass through its fortified gates. The 14thᵉ century ramparts , the church ofSaint-Aubin, the timber-framed houses and cobbled streets tell a unique story: that of a commercial and spiritual town that has preserved its soul while evolving with the times.

But Guérande’s heritage is not limited to its stonework. It is also expressed through the skills of the salt workers, culture, the medieval festival and the salt marsh landscapes, living witnesses to a balance between nature and tradition. It’s a way of life handed down from generation to generation that gives the town its unique character.

Find out more about the medieval town of Guérande

Aerial view of the Remparts de Guérande using a drone — ©Les Remparts - Guérande |Loic Lagarde

A heritage to discover all year round

Being a “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” means bringing heritage to life on a daily basis.
In Guérande, the Tourist Office’s mediation service offers events for young and old all year round:

Themed guided tours, from the medieval town to the salt marshes
Storytellingwalksand open-air shows to help you discover the area in a different way
Educational workshops for families and schools
Exhibitions and conferences on local history and the skills of yesterday and today.

All these activities have the same objective: to make our heritage a living, accessible and exciting experience for everyone.

Discover our guided tours

The Porte Saint-Michel Museum between history and ramparts

To round off your visit to Guérande, take the time to discover the Porte Saint-Michel museum. An emblematic monument of the town of Guérande, this former fortified gateway and logis-châtelet is a reminder of the city’s power in the Middle Ages. Founded in 1928, the museum now houses over 2,500 objects relating to the history and life of the Guérande region. The collections are presented through temporary exhibitions organised twice a year on the 2ᵉ floor. Everyday objects, archives and works of art provide a better understanding of local traditions. The visit then continues withaccess to the ramparts. From up there, views open up over the medieval city. A complete discovery, between history and panorama.

Guérande - Visite libre - Porte Saint-Michel - Musée de Guérande

Your questions!

Why has Guérande been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label?
Guérande was awarded this label in 2004 for the quality and diversity of its heritage. Its ramparts, church, salt marshes and salt-making traditions bear witness to a rich history that is still very much alive today. The label also guarantees a genuine approach to cultural mediation, accessible to all.
What's the best place to visit in the medieval city?
The 14th-century ramparts are a must-see, as are the church of Saint-Aubin and the narrow streets of the old town. A stroll inside the fortifications reveals a town on a human scale, marked by its commercial and spiritual past.
Can you discover Guérande's heritage all year round?
Yes, Guérande can be visited all year round. Guided tours, exhibitions, workshops and events are on offer throughout the year to help you discover our heritage, whether you’re just passing through or a local resident.
Is the tour suitable for families?
Exactly. Fun tours, educational workshops and shows are regularly organised for children and families. The aim is to make the history of Guérande understandable and lively, whatever the age.

Town of Art and History

Guérande, emblematic city

A heritage to discover all year round

Did you know?

The Porte Saint-Michel Museum between history and ramparts

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