Sale of a plaice in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer: “We had some wonderful times here!”

Gérard and Mireille Vignaud have decided to sell the fishing hut they have occupied just before the Puits de l'Auture for 25 years. Facing the Cordouan lighthouse with a breathtaking view of the coast, it's a little corner of paradise.

Memories resurface. Many happy moments have happened here. We're in the commune of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, a short walk from Place du Concié and the Puits de l'Auture. If Gérard and Mireille Vignaud's green carrelet could talk, it would tell stories. And not just fishing tales. Over time, the carrelet has become more than a fishing pontoon on stilts. We're talking about a way of life, an incredible landmark perched above the waves to admire the sunset, a glass of rosé in hand, a little Brassens tune, "Les copains d'abord" for example, in the background.

The couple, who live in Le Gua, have lived there for twenty-five years. It all started a long time ago, when Gérard, aged 14, was polishing the benches at Champlain High School in Royan. “The carrelet belonged to a friend’s father. We used to come here on mopeds. I asked “Mimile” to think of me if he ever sold it. When he fell ill in 2000, he called me one evening to tell me that if I wanted it, it was now or never. Forty years later, I hadn’t thought about it anymore. It had been so long… I came to see him the next day and we did business right away,” says the man. In 1999, the storm of the century passed through and seriously damaged the structure. “It’s the only one left standing, along with another. All the others were swept away.”

However, for Xynthia, in 2010, it was a different story. "All that remained were the steps and two posts. My nephews miraculously recovered the wheel and the mast that we use for the net in the water. For the rest, we rebuilt everything identically. For example, there is no terrace in front of the fishing system. We are above the sea. The others, nearby, are more modern and completely enclosed. Even if we were unable to date its year of construction, our net is one of the two oldest in the area," assures Gérard, who does not want to give false hope. "If you think you're going to catch a lot of fish, you might be a little disappointed."

Technically, the carrelet is a square net stretched over a flat frame and lowered horizontally by means of a winch from a pontoon that juts out into the sea. After a few minutes of waiting, to dissipate the disturbance caused by the descent, the net is raised fairly quickly, trapping fish in principle. "We caught shrimp, mullet... Nothing miraculous," he admits. Apparently, it was mainly days spent with friends, picnics and aperitifs that brought the place to life.

Owning a carrelet still requires a bit of DIY. "It requires regular maintenance, and we don't have much time anymore." The couple doesn't enjoy it much anymore. That's why they put this little corner of paradise up for sale. "The price doesn't matter. Besides, it has to be approved by the ad hoc committee that will be meeting soon. You can't speculate on a carrelet. It's forbidden. We just want it to continue to bring happiness to other people and for this heritage to survive." For better or for better!

Gérard and Mireille Vignaud can be contacted by email ([email protected]).