Les pêcheries

But what exactly are “pêcheries”?

They are those charming little huts perched on stilts, with their feet in the water, decorating our riverbanks and coastline!
True stars of social media, they appear in thousands of your photos and are an iconic part of the Atlantic coast’s heritage — the 60,000 Instagram posts tagged pêcherie or carrelet speak for themselves!

What is a pêcherie used for?

A pêcherie is a fishing hut, also called a carrelet in other regions — named after the large square net suspended at the end of a pole and lowered horizontally using a pulley system.
You can place bait in the centre of the net, leave it in the water for a few minutes, and then raise it back up. With a bit of luck, you’ll find a nice catch nestled in the net, which you can retrieve with a landing net.

What can you catch?

From the pêcheries along the Loire, and depending on luck and the season, you might catch: sea bass, shad, sole, eel (mind the size limits), mullet, flounder, plaice, smelt, and conger eel.

What is their history?

Carrelet fishing developed at the beginning of the 20th century. Before the creation of these little huts, people used simple square nets hung from long wooden poles.
Since 12 February 2021, carrelet fishing has been recognised as part of France’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture.

Emblematic of our shores, pêcheries form a fragile heritage that must be preserved. Exposed to the elements, they are regularly damaged — and sometimes destroyed — during severe storms.

For more information, a book about pêcheries is available in our tourist offices.

Can you rent one?

Most pêcheries are privately owned, but some — run by municipalities or associations — can be rented by the tide.
It’s a great opportunity for families to experience a traditional fishing practice unique to the Loire Estuary and the Jade Coast.

On our territory, two pêcheries along the Loire can be rented:

• The municipal pêcherie of Corsept

• The associative pêcherie “La Ligérienne” in Saint-Brevin