If you have already come to Oleron Island, you have surely noticed these stone walls which are revealed at low tide, on the side of the Chassiron lighthouse or Saint-Georges-d'Oleron. It is a fish lock, a small piece of maritime built heritage and living culture of Oleron Island.
A symbol of Oléron identity
Present on Oleron Island Since the Middle Ages, fish locks, also called fisheries, have been one of the oldest examples of built heritage that can still be discovered in Oleron Island. While many of the locks are now partly in ruins, some are still in operation. But do you know exactly what a fish lock is?
The art and manner of trapping fish in the Oléron style
A fish lock is a large stone construction that allows fish to be caught by "trapping" them at low tide. The lock is organized around a long wall of dry stones stacked on top of each other, without any binder or masonry (to better withstand winter storms). The whole thing forms a thick horseshoe-shaped wall, open to the sea.
The operation of a stone fishery is quite simple, not so far from that of a navigation lock. At high tide, the locks are covered by the sea and the fish enter the enclosure quietly. At low tide, the water flows out through openings in the wall. The largest fish are thus trapped by the low walls. All the fisherman has to do is catch the fish held prisoner: sea bass, sea bream, mullet, conger eels, mackerel, etc. To do this, the lock keeper uses an "espiot", a kind of sabre used to stun the fish.
A fishing technique that dates back to the Middle Ages
The first stone fisheries appeared in the 14th century, ensuring the subsistence of coastal populations. Until the middle of the 19th century, they were still numerous, particularly in Saint-Denis d'Oleron, the tip of the Chardonnière, the tip of Chassiron. There were then more than two hundred of them! Today, there are only 17 locks in operation, maintained by a hundred enthusiasts who are keen to revive this unique heritage.
Where can you see fish locks in Oléron?
Since 1985, the Fish Locks and Traditional Fishing Association has been working to preserve and restore the locks of Oleron IslandA team of volunteers is working hard to revive the old Oléron fisheries, alternating between fishing trips and maintenance tasks in the stone parks.
- Saint-Denis-d'Oleron : one of the largest fish locks in Oléron is located near the Chassiron lighthouse, at the northern tip of the island of Oléron.
- Saint-Georges-d'Oleron : on the Sables Vigniers beach, you can admire five locks listed as Historic Monuments since 2012.
- Dolus-d'Oleron : at the end of the Ecuissière pass, the Ecuissière fish lock is the only one still in operation in the south of the island.
Enjoy your camping stay in Oléron to take part in a guided tour of the fish locks at Chassiron (July and August): reservation required, directly at the Chassiron lighthouse or by phone at 05.46.75.18.62.
photo © KiwiNeko14