Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The fish locks of Les Sables-Vignier, located at Saint-Georges-d'Oléron, form a set of five dry stone walls arranged in dissymmetric semi-circle. These structures, dated from the 15th century (?), were designed to maintain a sufficient water level during the low seas, thereby promoting spawning conservation. Their architecture combines a vertical interior side and a talted exterior side, pierced by culhots equipped with grids to regulate water flow. Inside, developments such as passageways, walls delineating fishing areas known as "cradles", and "talls of attraction" (stone mounds sheltering sand and seaweed) stimulated the development of the arinic trees, essential to the local ecosystem.

These locks illustrate a traditional fishing technique unique to the island of Oleron, where the control of tides and marine resources played a central role in the local economy. Their dry stone construction, without mortar, reflects artisanal know-how adapted to the constraints of the maritime environment. Classified Historic Monument by decree of 14 June 2012, they constitute a rare heritage, reflecting the historical interaction between coastal communities and their environment.

The Sables-Vignier site, with its specific facilities, offers a remarkable example of the ingenuity of the Oléronese fishermen to optimize fishing yields. The "cradles" were used as targeted catch areas, while the "tacks of attraction" naturally attracted fish, creating a semi-passive fishing system. This type of infrastructure, now protected, underlines the cultural and economic importance of fishing in the island's identity, while highlighting sustainable practices rooted in the maritime landscape.

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