The Guided Tours
All the guided tours are proposed in French. Only the Guided tour of the sardine boat "Au Gré des Vents" is proposed in English in July and August every Saturday à 5pm.
Visit the Museum « La Maison de la Pêche » (The House of the fishery)
Playful and interactive, the exposition helps you discover the history of La Turballe, its port, the boom of the fish canneries, and brings to light the various fishing techniques and vessels used currently and in the past.
The museum also contains detailed information about the fishing industry today. Which fish species are the most captured? How do we catch them? How does the fish get from the boat to our plate? A visit for the whole family
Guided tour of the sardine boat « Au Gré des Vents »
Symbol of the sardine fishing in La Turballe, this boat was operational between 1964 and 1990. Saved by a few heritage devotees before its scheduled destruction, “Au Gré des Vents” was restored and maintained afloat. The boat has received the label » Vessel of Patrimonial Interest ».
This unique guided tour explains the fishing techniques performed the work and living conditions of the crew and allows you to visit various compartments of the boat.
Jump aboard for a trip through time on “Au Gré des Vents”!
Guided tour of the "windmill of Kerbroué"
The windmill of “Kerbroué” was built in 1746. Attached to the seigneury of Lauvergnac, it was modernised in 1893:
- Elevated to 4 levels
- Equipped with a second grindstone
- Provided with the latest contemporary technologies: sails “Berton” (made from wooden slats) and a fantail
This windmill is one of the last survivors of the region, operating until 1969. At the time, it was situated in the middle of pastures and grain fields.
During this visit you can observe the power of the sails (52m2) setting the grinding mechanism in motion over 4 floors. The grindstone then crushes the grain in order to extract the fine wheat flour.
Guided tour of the La Turballe port
La Turballe has been set up as an independent commune in 1865, shortly after the first breakwater structure was built on the “Tourlandroux rocks” (1862) in order to protect the fishing vessels. Since then, the port has changed considerably and is evolving continuously.
With over 9000 tonnes of landed fish every year, it is today the 8th fishing port in France and the 1st on the Atlantic coast in terms of “blue fish” (pelagic species of oily fish).
Ancient port, port of Garlahy, fish auction hall, jetties, ice production or future projects: just follow the guide! This one-hour long guided tour will allow you to discover the port’s history, its fleet and its installations of the past, present and future.
The “fish auction hall” guided tour
Join us for 1h15 on this early hour rendezvous to experience the freshly landed fish auction sale.
- How does the fish get from the sea to your plate?
- How does the auction sale work?
- What is a “criomobile”?
- Who buys the fish here?
- Which professions are connected to the auction sale?
Your guide will answer any questions you may have while the fish auction is in a full flow. A unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of this spacious construction and to experience the fish sale “live”.
Guided tour of La Turballe
La Turballe, formerly under the control of Guérande, has only been set up as an independent commune recently, in 1865.
Today known as a tourist resort, its development is originally due to the fishing and the canneries.
The port is still functional, but the last cannery has closed its doors in 1989. This guided tour follows the footsteps of the ancient canneries while introducing you to the port, the town, the beaches… Explore and understand the places and events that have created La Turballe of today and yesterday.
TRESCALAN guided tour
Trescalan is the historic district of La Turballe. Formerly, it was just “one of the villages” of the Parish of Guérande. It was mostly agricultural: its population consisted of “paludiers” (salt workers), farmers and fishermen. Starting from the Trescalan church, you’ll be guided through the original heart of this ancient hamlet of Guérande.
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