Every summer, fishing huts are a big hit on the Atlantic coast near Saint-Nazaire. As in Saint-Brevin, Corsept and La Plaine-sur-Mer, where you can rent these stilt huts to try your hand at plaice fishing. Discover it!
What is a fishery?
In Loire-Atlantique, a “pêcherie” (fishing hut) is a hut on stilts, accessible via a pontoon from which a net, known as a “carrelet”, is suspended. It provides a sheltered place to fish and a place to relax. While most fishing huts are privately owned, some municipal or community fishing huts can be rented for the duration of a tide, or even a weekend , with the option of sleeping in the hut. This is an opportunity to spend an unusual day with family or friends, and to discover an ancient fishing technique that has existed since the 12th century.
Plaice fishing, a technique that fascinates fishing enthusiasts (but not only).
The carrelet is the name given to the square net (hence the name) used to catch fish. This fishing net, about 4 meters square, is stretched at the end of a pole that is lowered horizontally by means of a pulley. We then wait a few minutes before reeling in the net. Any fish trapped at the bottom of the net is retrieved using a long-handled landing net.
Where can I find a fishing boat rental?
From the Loire estuary to the Breton marshes, via the Côte de Jade, Loire-Atlantique boasts almost 200 cabanes à carrelet (fishing huts). Most of these fisheries have neither water nor electricity, and are often rudimentarily equipped. All in all, they’re a great way to get away from it all. Close to our campsite, between the Loire and the ocean, there are several fisheries for rent in Saint-Brevin, Corsept and La Plaine-sur-Mer.
- La Ligérienne, in Saint-Brevin: anchored on the Pointe d’Imperlay at the mouth of the Loire, this 20 m2 fishing hut can accommodate up to 10 people all year round (accessible to people with reduced mobility), offering a panoramic view of the estuary and the Saint-Nazaire bridge. Single rate €60. Reservations on 07 87 96 28 08 or pecherie.e-monsite.com
- La pêcherie municipale de Corsept: located on the Loire estuary, Corsept’s communal fishery is open for rental all year round, at a cost of €42. It can accommodate up to 10 people. Reservations on 02 40 27 51 96 or www.corsept.fr
- Fishery n°13 de la Govogne, in La Plaine-sur-Mer: the municipal fishery, located on La Govogne beach, is available for rental from Friday to Sunday. It can accommodate 5 people over the age of 13. Daily rates vary from €35 to €56, depending on the season. For bookings, please contact the Mairie de la Plaine sur Mer: 02 40 21 50 14
What can you fish with a plaice?
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch a variety of fish found between the Loire Estuary and Bourgneuf Bay: bass, plaice, mullet, conger eel, smelt, shad, sole and shrimp.
Practical tips for a successful experience
- Book your fishing charter as early as possible, especially for the summer.
- Find out about the tidal coefficients for successful fishing. The best time to fish is 2 hours before high tide, then 2 hours after, when the tidal coefficient is 70 or higher.
- Bring sun cream and a cap in summer, a picnic and warm, waterproof clothing in winter.
- For the simply curious, it’s possible to visit a fishery during the European Heritage Days, usually held on the second weekend in September.
photo@IAndré SAAD/Pixabay