When should you visit the salt marshes?

All year round! In summer, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the harvest .

Can you visit a working salt marsh?

Yes, thanks to guided tours of the Ecomuseum and the salt producers .

When is harvest time?

In summer, when the wind and sun are shining, the salt farmers harvest the salt .

Are the marshes accessible to pushchairs and PRMs?

Some areas and paths are accessible, but it’s best to use the routes that have been adapted for pushchairs and people with reduced mobility .

Is it possible to buy salt on site?

Yes, directly from many producers .

The salt marshes and the Ecomuseum

Exploring the Ile de Ré salt marshes: experiences, encounters and immersive tours

The salt marshes of the Ile de Ré are much more than just a landscape: they’re living places where you can discover ancient know-how, where water, wind and light sculpt a changing landscape every day. As a family, with friends or on your own, immerse yourself in the heart of this unique heritage thanks to guided tours, self-guided tours or meetings with the salt marsh workers.

The salt marshes: a living, sensory experience

Present on the island since at least the XIᵉ century, the salt marshes constitute a universe shaped by man, nature and age-old traditions.

Watching the landscape change with the light

The marshes are veritable natural mirrors. Their palette of colours changes throughout the day:

silvery blues in the morning
golden reflections at the end of the day,
pink or white textures at harvest time.

A natural area rich in biodiversity

This environment is home to a wide variety of birds and protected species. The salt marshes help to maintain this precious biodiversity.

The Écomusée: the ideal gateway to understanding the salt marshes

At the heart of the Loix salt marshes, the Écomusée is the perfect place to start your exploration. It reveals thehistory of salt farming in the Retais, from its ancestral techniques to its major role in the island’s identity.

A guided tour to understand the work of the salt grower

From March to early November, the Écomusée offers an exhibition followed by a guided tour of a working salt marsh. You’ll discover

the path of the water
how the marsh works
the precise movements of the salt worker
the different stages in salt production.

An educational and immersive experience, perfect for families.

Visit the Ecomuseum

Prices for the Ecomuseum :
– Adults €6.5
– Adolescent (12 to 18) €5
– Children (aged 8 to 11) €3

Prices for the enchanted walk :
– Adults (aged 12 and over) €10
– Children €5
– Family (2 adults + 2 children): €25

Visits and experiences in the salt industry

Guided or self-guided tour of the PickSel salt marshes

Barrot Sud Salt Marsh - Tours and drawing classes

Visite du Marais du Roc

Visit to the Sel d'Isabelle salt marshes

Did you know?

In the ^19th century, there were over 1,000 salt producers on the Ile de Ré; today, only around a hundred remain.

Prepare your visit

Enchanted walks in the marshes

On Thursday afternoons during the high season, you can take a stroll through the salt marshes to a variety of rhythms. Meet up at the Écomusée du Marais Salant. During this visit, punctuated by the poetic story of the work of the salt workers who turn water into salt, you’ll be transported by music and sounds from elsewhere, making this a magical moment for all the family.

If you’re a fan of lyrical art, musical performance and local produce, this is an event not to be missed!

Discover the walks

Practical tips for a successful visit

Bring a hat, sun cream and water in summer.
Stay on the marked paths to preserve the fragile environment.
Respect the work of the salt farmers by not crossing prohibited areas.
Use soft mobility to reach the marshes.

Exploring the marshes using soft mobility

Visiting the salt marshes also means adopting a gentle pace: on foot or by bike, the paths offer open, peaceful panoramas. Children can observe the wildlife, learn about manual labour and enjoy a safe ride.

FAQ - Salt marshes

When should you visit the salt marshes?
All year round! In summer, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the harvest
.
Can you visit a working salt marsh?
Yes, thanks to guided tours of the Ecomuseum and the salt producers
.
When is harvest time?
In summer, when the wind and sun are shining, the salt farmers harvest the salt
.
Are the marshes accessible to pushchairs and PRMs?
Some areas and paths are accessible, but it’s best to use the routes that have been adapted for pushchairs and people with reduced mobility
.
Is it possible to buy salt on site?
Yes, directly from many producers
.

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