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Photographer’s Note

We are here on the locality Les Cabanes du Salaison, situated on the town of Mauguio.

Mauguio or rather Melgueil meaning "damned place", his original name given because of swamps and mosquitoes, was prosperous in the Middle Ages.
Indeed, Les Cabanes du Salaison had an intense economic and cultural activity between the XIth and the XVIIIth, linked to the phenomenon of Maniguières, high medieval fishing technique, spread throughout Europe and particularly in Mauguio.
It consists of nets stretched on poles, as Joel has presented here.

A specialist in Languedoc, Marie-José Guigou, traces the history in his book "Les Maniguières de l'Etang de l'Or" :

Around the year 1000, Montpellier is newborn. At that time very religious, Montpellier and the surrounding villages consume lots of fish and the whole lagoon of the Etang de l'Or, abounds in fish. Their capture, through maniguières will be easier.
In the middle-age, the notables will even finance the construction of maniguières and engage fishermen who live in huts made of stone or piles.
Indeed, each maniguière owns a hut which were rented during the time fishing.


In 1701, the canal of the Province will end this medieval art.

It is a population proud of its origins still living on the marsh, having established an association "Les Cabanes du Salaison which has objectives like the environmental protection and enhancement of the site, or maintaining the "cabanière" culture.

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Additional Photos by Karine Zilbermann (KLB) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1106 W: 738 N: 3448] (17904)
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