LES SALINES DE GUÉRANDE

Le Guérandais is a brand of the Les Salines de Guérande cooperative. This company collects and collects 100% natural sea salt from salt workers using a thousand-year-old artisanal method. In 1991, coarse salt and ground salt were rewarded with the Label Rouge. In addition, Les Salines de Guérande is a long-standing member of the Product in Brittany and benefits from the Protected Geographical Indication.

History. Guerande salt has its roots in history. It was harvested on the peninsula since the Iron Age. There are still 5 saltworks from the Carolingian period that are still being exploited on the marsh. By 1500, these already occupied 80% of their current surface area. It was around 1800 that the last salt works were created in the Guérande basin. Today, more than 10,000 carnations are in operation. After having faced a long period of crisis mainly due to international competition from mine salt and Mediterranean salt, and in order to meet the appetite of property developers, united, supportive and motivated salt workers are reorganizing themselves by integrating a modern economic logic: setting up a qualifying training course, setting up an agricultural cooperative, buying a trading company, founding the Association pour la promotion du sel de l'Atlantique (Aprosela)... Without denying the old gestures that still forge the unique quality of Guérande salt. The creation in 1988 of the agricultural cooperative made it possible to offer salt workers complete control over their economic sector. Responsible for purchasing, storage, packaging and marketing, it includes about 200 salt workers. Le Guérandais Guérande Guérande salt was first awarded the Nature & Progrès label in 1989. In 1991, he also obtained the precious Label Rouge, of which he is currently the only Quality holder. In 1992, the Les Salines de Guérande cooperative set up a subsidiary, now merged, to market the production of its members.

The products. Coarse salt, fine or ground salt, fleur de sel, flavoured salts (with herbs, seaweed and vegetables).

Employment. 75 employees within the Les Salines de Guérande cooperative, 220 salt workers who are members of the cooperative, 13,000 tonnes of salt produced per year and a turnover of 24 million euros in 2018.