La Compagnie des Salins du Midi et des Salines de l’Est (CSME) has manufactured salt in France since 1856. The company owns and manages three Mediterranean saltworks: Salin d’Aigues-Mortes (10,700 hectares), Salin de Giraud (5,500 hectares) and Salin de Berre (500 hectares). It is a subsidiary of the SALINS group, the largest salt manufacturer in the Mediterranean basin.
The production of salt is achieved through a process which involves passing seawater through a succession of lagoons, whereby the actions of wind and sun cause the water to evaporate and to concentrate the seawater to the point that the salt crystals are deposited onto the salt tables. The salt is harvested first by hand (Fleur de Sel at Aigues-Mortes), then by machine at the end of the summer.
At the Salin de Berre, a system of production known as ‘Solaire’ or ‘Sun’, has been in place since the 1970s. The salty waters that feed into the salt basin here deposit Manosque salt, which is salt found underground that was first deposited by ancient seas.

Salt production actively protects wetland environments: the saltworks host an array of flora and fauna that is unique in the world. The CSME is conscious of this remarkable biodiversity and regularly drives actions that monitor and protect the environment, whether it be through ecological management plans brought about by the DOCOB Nature 2000, or through open dialogue with scientific experts and the actors in the salt industry. As well as the salt industry in the Camargue, the CSME also promotes public awareness and eco-tourism that focuses on the ecological quality of sites; guided tours, purpose built tracks and an eco-museum are some of the attractions on offer to visitors.

The CSME is an associated beneficiary of the Life+ Nature MC-Salt for the saltworks at Aigues Mortes and would like to register the saltworks at Salin de Giraud and Salin de Berre in this Life+ ENVOLL project.

www.salins.com

Intervention site:
Salin de Berre / Site Natura 2000 : Salines de l’Etang de Berre
Salin de Giraud / Site Natura 2000 : Camargue

Implemented actions:
A.4 Preparatory actions for Berre and Giraud Salt marshes / C.4 Concrete conservation actions on Berre and Giraud Salt Marshes