A one-of-a-kind Bay, magnificent and so charmingly full of life...
Oyster farming, boating and nautism, pleasurable walks, a place where migrating birds stop, next to the Château du Taureau that you can visit...
Preserved environment
This large indentation in the north coast of Finistère, where the Penzé and Morlaix river estuaries merge, is an outstanding setting for:
- oyster farming with the mixing of salt and fresh water.
- water sports because the ba y is sheltered from winds and the seabed is exceptional.
- walking on coastal paths and birds watching.
- the wonderful view and the beautiful seascape.
The ideal spot for oyster-farming
Oyster farming appeared in the bay of Morlaix in 1892, date of the first agreement for an oyster farm.
In the 1940's, the oyster industry was already flourishing in Carantec. But in the 1970's, a parasite caused the extinction of the traditional Belon oyster replaced by the Pacific oyster. There are today around fifteen oyster farms in Carantec and their production, recognized for its high quality, is considerable. With 6500 tons of oysters per year, the bay of Morlaix is the leading oyster farming centre in Finistère.
The oyster parcs:
Today, the Bay of Morlaix is a place of choice for 700 ha of oyster beds thanks to the quality and the richness of its waters. Each oyster parc is delimited by long poles that can reach a height of 8m to be visible at high tide. The oyster cultivation is mainly carried out in mesh bags secured to metal trestles. Flat-bottomed barges are used to be able to navigate between them and go aground to work until the tide comes back in.
The oysters :
From hatching (collecting of oyster larvae forming the spat) to cultivation, from cultivation to depuration, oysters need years of continuous care.
The small oysters laid on the seabed need to be regularly harrowed so as not to sink into it, be well oxygenated and have a nice round shape, the cultivation bags set on iron trestles are turned at every low tide.
It is a job that changes on the season according to growing and hatching cycles, requiring ceaseless vigilance and an incredible amount of daily handling.
The producers :
Some producers offer retail sale: See contacts in the address book.
They are situated at Le Varquez and Pen al Lann headland.
The sailing boats in the Bay of Morlaix :
Different types of boat sail in the Bay of Morlaix. The most well known are for instance:
- Schooners: sailing vessels with two masts rigged with trapezoid sails.
- Fishing cutters: characteristic longline fishing boats of Carantec at the beginning of the 20th century. Fast vessels with one single mast rigged with a trapezoid sail. (see picture opposite)
- Cormorans: Ballasted dinghies born in the Bay of Morlaix.
- Optimists: small sailing dinghies for children created in 1947.
Did you know ?
According to the legend, the "Ile Noire" (Black island) is said to have given its name to one of the Tintin comic books.
Hergé was supposed to have stayed in Locquenolé, a neighbouring village, and was inspired by the panorama and especially by this building to tell the adventures of his hero.
The lighthouse on the Ile Noire dates from 1843 and in alignment with La Lande lighthouse indicates the direction of Tréguier Channel. It is as remarkable for its position on a bare rock, almost totally submerged with spring tides, as for its global appearance resembling a fortress.
