Here, the heart of Vendée is an emblem from more recent times, but salt-making
here goes back to pre-history. The Romans made major technical
improvements and developed the system that works here to this day. These
marshes are naturally composed of a very fine grade of clay. The Romans and
the monks of the Middle Ages worked the marshes like a large clay pot and made
a labyrinth of basins to hold sea water brought here through the dikes and
channels.