Anchorage

Le Grand Traict

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Tidal lagoon north of Le Croisic and Guérande, on the south coast of Brittany, used as a waiting anchorage by shoal-draught boats.

Mooring buoys

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Entered through the Pouliguen channel or the narrow pass east of Le Croisic, both drying at low water. Strong tidal streams run through both passes, so time the entry near high water. Bottom is soft mud with good holding.

Practical

About 140 local moorings laid by the commune, mostly used by residents. Visitors usually anchor clear of the mooring trots. No services on the water. Nearest facilities at Le Croisic and Le Pouliguen.

Ashore

Salt marshes of Guérande surround the lagoon, with the Terre de Sel visitor centre 2 km inland at Pradel covering traditional salt harvesting. Walled town of Guérande 5 km to the northeast, listed as a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire.

History

The salt marshes of Guérande have been worked since the 9th century and still produce fleur de sel harvested by hand. The Grand Traict is the tidal basin that feeds seawater into the marsh network through a system of gates.