Guérande
A Fortified Town Surrounded by Salt Marshes
Due its walls and fortifications many have called Guérande the Carcassonne of the West. It certainly has a long history and, like its southern counterpart, the site was occupied by the Romans who harvested the salt.
Ramparts were built around the town in late medieval times and it became very prosperous exporting both salt and wine although due to the harbour silting up during the 18th & 19th centuries this trade declined to be replaced recently tourism and traditional salt cultivation.
What to see:
Porte St-Michel
This 24m high structure dominates everything around and used to include the Governor’s House which is now a Museum (see below).
The Chateau-Musée contains more than 2500 artefacts including paintings, costumes, photographs .
The Ramparts Access is from the Musée to the fortified enclosure and ramparts. Also see link below.