Gerande

Gerande, commonly written Guérande in French, is a commune in western France. It lies in the Loire-Atlantique department, within the Pays de la Loire region, on the Atlantic coast near the towns of La Baule-Escoublac and Le Croisic. The area is known for its coastal landscape, historic architecture, and traditional industries.

The historic center of Guérande is enclosed by well-preserved medieval ramparts, remnants of fortifications built between the 12th and 15th centuries to defend the town against regional powers. Inside the walls, the streets are narrow and winding, lined with half-timbered houses and a number of historic buildings, including a parish church that reflects the town’s medieval to early modern legacy.

Outside the town, marshes and salt flats form a prominent landscape. The surrounding salt marshes have produced sea salt for centuries, and the Sel de Guérande is recognized for its traditional harvesting methods. Salt workers, known as paludiers, continue to practice some of the long-standing techniques used to harvest salt from the earth and water of the marshes.

Economically, Guérande today balances tourism with salt production, local crafts, and small-scale industry. The town attracts visitors with its medieval atmosphere, coastal scenery, and the cultural heritage preserved within its walls and surrounding marshlands. While it draws on historical practices, Guérande functions as a modern community with services and amenities for residents and visitors alike.