"Nature must be left to its own devices, it must not be disturbed"

    Filmed in the department of Charente-Maritime on the Atlantic coast of France, where the mythical ocean waves and winds meet with the island of Oléron and the coastline at Royan, this documentary retraces the life of the local oyster farmers intimately known as the "farmers of the sea". Protected by a barrier of dunes and a pinewood forest, the unique Marennes-Oléron basin nurtures the famous "Claire" oysters of France.

    In total respect of nature, the seasons that pass and their particular heritage, these farmers "harvest" this famous oyster, one of the world's unique treasures. In this tiny oyster farming village of Mornac-sur-Seudre, the winds and tides dictate the working day and even the meal times of these men and their wives who are known as "the women of the huts". Paying the price of great solitude and hard work, Eric Delage and his friends Kiki Poinçon, Patrice Grolleau and Franck Garnier are devoted to selling this unique and exquisite oyster: "la Marennes Oléron".

A native of the Marennes basin, Jean-Paul Jaud has magnificently captured the very special luminosity of the French Atlantic coast. It is a film of emotion and sensitivity that enables us to appreciate the lives of these privileged people, their moments of joy, of hard work in the cold, and the magic moments reserved for those in contact with real nature.

GALLERY

Award

Grand Prix of the Academy of Saintonge

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