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Fish Locks: A Thousand-Year-Old Legacy
Along the rocky shores of Île de Ré, remarkable stone walls trace sweeping curves across the foreshore. These structures, known as fish locks, are a testament to an ancient fishing technique that relies on the natural movement of the tides.
The principle is ingenious: at high tide, the fish swim into these vast stone enclosures. When the tide goes out, some of them are trapped behind the walls, allowing the fishermen to catch them.
Once essential to the diet of the island?s inhabitants, these fisheries have gradually disappeared. Today, the Île de Ré has only about 15 active fisheries, compared to approximately 140 in the past.
Dominique Chevillon recounts the fishermen's memories
As president of the Association for the Preservation of Fish Locks on the Île de Ré (ADEPIR), Dominique Chevillon knows these structures and the people who maintain them inside and out. In his book, he gives a voice to the lock masters, the true guardians of a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
Their accounts shed light on a practice that requires in-depth knowledge of the tides, winds, and currents, as well as marine flora and fauna. Beyond fishing techniques, the book thus highlights a genuine maritime culture that is intimately linked to the history of the Île de Ré.
A book that blends history, fishing, and ecology
The value of this book lies in its ability to go beyond a simple description of fish locks.
These structures are a remarkable example of how humans have adapted to their environment. Built of dry stone, without cement, they withstand the ocean?s forces thanks to their meticulous construction, which is naturally reinforced by marine organisms. They also play a role in coastal ecosystems and contribute to the island?s landscape identity.
The book thus raises a fundamental question: How can we preserve traditional practices while respecting the natural balance? Through the history of the locks, the story of local fishing?based on observing natural cycles and passing down knowledge?also comes into focus.
A living heritage that must be preserved
Since its founding in 1995, ADEPIR has been working to protect, restore, and maintain these particularly fragile structures. This is because storms, heavy swells, and erosion regularly take a toll on the stone walls. Preserving them requires ongoing work, carried out by the lock owners and volunteers.
Dominique Chevillon?s book truly comes into its own here: it serves as a valuable record of a heritage that could have been lost. It also reminds us that these locks are not merely relics of the past. They continue to operate and keep a unique fishing tradition alive.
A reference book for fishing and heritage enthusiasts
Richly illustrated, The fish locks on the Île de Ré is aimed at both fishermen and lovers of maritime history and regional heritage.
By placing people, techniques, and landscapes at the center of his work, Dominique Chevillon reminds us that fishing is about more than just catching fish. It also represents a culture, a collective memory, and a deep connection to the marine environment.
A book that invites readers to see the coastline of Île de Ré in a new light and to recognize the need to preserve these remarkable stone structures for future generations.
Book Details
- Title: The fish locks of Île de Ré: millennia-old stone fisheries
- Author: Dominique Chevillon
- Publisher: Geste Éditions
- Publication date: June 2026
- Pagination: 274 pages
- Retail price: 30 ?
