Day 13: Marais salants de Guérande and Nantes

As expected, the children do not want to get up at 8 o'clock, they are tired. We quickly pack our things and after breakfast we set off for Marais salants de Guérande. The salt mining area, covering an area of 2000ha, is located south between Vannes and Nantes and is a nature reserve. We are happy because we can spontaneously take part in a German guided tour. It starts at 11:15 and we are a small group. We get a good insight into salt mining. To obtain salt, it requires 4 important factors: the sun, the wind, seawater, and clay. The basins are flooded twice a month during the full and new moon phases. The sun evaporates the water, the wind helps to accelerate the process, and the clay in the soil prevents the water from seeping away. Then, 2 types of salt are extracted, coarse salt at the bottom and fine salt (Fleur de Sel) on the water surface. Harvesting can only take place on sunny days, which is about 50 days per year in this area. 300 salt farmers work year-round on their fields, and they have been doing so for 1500 years. 12,000 tons of coarse salt and 3,000 tons of fine salt are harvested here every year. The guided tour is very informative. Afterwards, we continue to Nantes. We walk along the Loire and find ourselves on the grounds of Les Machines de l'île. There are large mechanical objects designed and built by "La Machine," a collective of artists, engineers, and craftsmen since 1991. We skip the lineup because I have ordered tickets for the giant Elephant. We quickly see the 12-meter-high and 40-ton hydraulic Elephant. It is impressive, and we are excited for our ride. We wait at the entrance and watch as the giant Elephant makes its way through the crowd, spraying water on people and everyone is delighted. We board the vehicle with about 50 other people. I booked the tickets weeks ago and I am glad I did. The ride lasts 30 minutes and we change seats frequently to capture all perspectives. Afterwards, the children go for two more rounds on the carousel, where there are also mechanical and hydraulic animals and vehicles. It is something special and the children are thrilled about this opportunity. David laughs on his chosen boat and Strauss with joy. It is late when we leave the square and Nantes. We still need an hour to reach the campsite. When we arrive at the campsite at half past 6, we are exhausted. We skip cooking and buy our dinner at the snack bar. Then we end the evening.