L'histoire du Port du Collet

By the 12th century, the sea had left the original contours of Bourgneuf and retreated further out to sea. This led to the formation of an islet in the middle of the marsh: Le Collet was born. This islet was probably formed by the meeting of two currents: the Millac estuary, which linked Prigny to the ocean, and the second current coming from the waters flowing back from Bourgneuf.

The first mention of Le Collet in Bourgneuf, the commune to which Le Collet belonged, appears on a nautical chart dating from 1313.

Le Collet was a major exporter of salt, which was produced in the coastal salt marshes. The reputation of Le Collet salt had long been established. The Normans chose our coast for their first landing. They needed our salt marshes. At the time, salt was as important a commodity as oil is today.

But it was after the Hundred Years' War that Le Collet really took off. By the end of the 15th century, more than 200 ships were loading in the Bay of Brittany, bound for the ports of the Baltic Sea, which were major consumers of salt.

Le Collet was in fact the outport of Bourgneuf, which had become too silted up. This activity ensured prosperity, as can still be seen in the last fine shipowners' houses built in Bourgneuf-en-Retz. Le Collet was the leading exporter of salt in France, and indeed in Brittany at the time (1532: attachment to the kingdom of France).

Gradually, as the bay silted up, salt exports from the Port du Collet came to an end (around the 18th century). Today, Le Collet is a picturesque oyster-farming port with a few marinas.

The Collet lock
The last rampart before the ocean, the lock was built over 100 years ago.
In 1995, it was in danger of collapsing. There was an urgent need to rebuild the lock before seawater invaded the marshes.
In 1997, work began on redeveloping the port, roads and waterways. The aim was to dam up the Falleron and Millac estuaries to allow the marina to be enlarged. The existing lock was dismantled and a new, more efficient one built a little further upstream in the marshes.
The gate and mechanism of the old lock have been reassembled in the courtyard of the Musée du Pays de Retz in Bourgneuf-en-Retz/Villeneuce-en-Retz, to preserve a souvenir of this monument.
The old lock has now been replaced by a footbridge offering a magnificent view over the Baie de Bourgneuf.

The lock-keeper's house
Built in 1881 at the same time as the old lock, this was the home of the lock-keeper. Its café was very popular with fishermen and salt producers, as well as writers and poets.
Today, the Maison de l'Eclusier is a popular restaurant.