A unique experience

Visit to the La Maillard fishery

Wooden structure surrounded by water in a marshy landscape — ©A wooden structure stands in the middle of a marshy landscape, with light reflections on the water.|Jim Prod

Want to get off the beaten track? A visit unique in France

If there’s one emblematic site that’s intrinsically linked to our region and our maritime heritage, it’s the Maillard fishery, still in use as a witness to an ancestral fishing method handed down from our fathers. But what exactly is it and how does it work? If you happen to stroll along the foreshore at low tide, you’ll probably see a large wooden “V” in the distance, its circular tip pointing out to sea. This is the fishery.

A fisherman walks in the salt marshes with reeds and wooden stakes — ©A fisherman makes his way through the salt marshes, surrounded by reeds and wooden stakes.

What exactly is it?

In fact, it’s a succession of stakes planted in the sand at regular distances but variable heights. These piles, combined with braids made from branches, form purlins. These purlins, which join at the end, act as a bottleneck for the fish as the tide begins to recede. The trapped fish are thus drawn into the current, which leads them directly to the trap itself, known as the bénâtre.

So… tempted?

If you too would like to share a piece of our history and discover our heritage, then head for Hauteville-sur-Mer, where our colleagues at Coutances Tourisme will be delighted to provide you with information and take your reservations. If you’re not there yet, contact us on 02.33.19.08.10. Make sure you bring waterproof clothing and suitable footwear, such as plastic boots or sandals. Finally, beware! Distances can be deceptive, and the foreshore can play tricks on you, leading you to believe that La Maillard is just around the corner. In fact, it’s a four-kilometre round trip. Also, the visit is not recommended for children under six.

Aerial view of a wooden structure in a bay with lines of stakes — ©A unique wooden structure stretches into a bay, creating an intriguing landscape.

The

Information

Practical

All about the visit :

Guided tour by the excellent Luc Chatelais
Meeting with owner Jean-Claude Lepeu
30 participants maximum
Ages 6 and up
Waterproof clothing and footwear are required.
Program and tour dates available from the tourist office
Price: from 4 euros

Find out more about this tour!

Did you know – Fisheries?

There are very few of them left in Europe – five to be precise. And guess what? The only one you can visit is in Hauteville-sur-Mer. The work of its current owner, Jean-Claude Lepeu, and the guide par excellence to this cult site, Luc Chatelais, has not been in vain. It’s no coincidence that people flock to this historic site. Historical, yes, because the fishery dates back to the ^16th century.