Richesse

Fertility of the Soil : the salt et the reeds

The salt


	Environnement Genesis Fauna & Flora

For the city of Aigues-Mortes and the region of the Camargue, the grain of salt is the cause of many problems concerning the history and the economy. "Peccais" (name inherited from Peccaius, Roman founder of salt mining in the area) is a well-known place for the cultivation of salt. Its importance grows when Louis IX acquires the region of Aigues-Mortes to build his access to the sea.

Other numerous salt marshes are set up around Aigues-Mortes : les Salins de St Jean, les Salins de la Sylve Godesque, les Salins de Vernède.

The Gabelle, a royal tax on salt , will make the salt an important economic weight. It will then become a strong trade product.

If the French Révolution ended the Gabelle tax, the salt, a necessary commodity, will be taxed until 1946.

As for all taxed products, a smuggling network was formed.

In 1596, SULLY flooded most at the Languedoc salt marshes, except those of Peccais , to fight against illicit salt.

At the end of the XVII ° century, les Salins of Peccais supply the bas Languedoc, the Rouergue, the Lyonnais, the Bourgogne, the Bresse, the Savoie and the Switzerland. When the Gabelle disappeared, the consumption of salt increases and the farmers use it as fertlilizer. At the same time, a chemical procedure to fabricate soda from salt was discovered (before, soda was extracted from saltwort). Aigues-Mortes becomes the soda supplier of the "Marseille Soap" factories.


	In 1856, the different owners of the salt marshes reunite to form the Salins du Midi.

LA BALEINE

The company of the Salins du Midi

The exploitation of Aigues-Mortes produces 500 000 tons of salt yearly. Les Salins have modernized by betting on this ever exploited product. The "fleur de sel" recently put on the market, is a good example.


	The reed


	In the city of Aigues-Mortes, which owes part of its development to salt, a museum is opened.

The reed is a product of the harvesting of the natural reed beds that border then invade the marshes.
The reed beds are particular natural areas.
The reeds grow roots (rhizomes) in the water where they shelter various species.
You can find frogs, snails and earthworms, which are delicacies for carp and other fish that occupy these marshes.

The ground surrounding the reeds offers shelter to numerous birds like herons (ash-grey or purple), "butor étoilé" and other passing birds that feed on insects.

Back to the reed, which is harvested in the winter by professionel "sagneurs". There is a handful of them in the 'Etang du Charnier" (north of Aigues-Mortes) and in the Scamandre. With skilled hands they cut and comb the reeds and when there is a sufficient amount to make a bundle, then gather the stems and tie them with wire.

Reed harvesting is a tradition, but technical developments have perfected machines for this tiring job. These machines do not cut the reeds, they uproot them and therefore destroy the area and any animal life living there.

The last "sagneurs" have regrouped in association and their goal is to bring back traditional reed production. Their hopes are based upon the return of natural substances. The desire for authenticity is coming back, let's wish them good luck.