Pornic, Gourmalon and its seaside villas

Take the ‘Gourmalon and its seaside villas’ tour and discover the remarkable heritage features of this district of Pornic.

From a deserted plateau to a residential area: The history of Gourmalon 

Once a land of heather and menhirs, the Gourmalon plateau has undergone an impressive transformation, going from deserted moorland to a lively, sought-after district.

• The wild past: For centuries, the Gourmalon plateau was nothing more than moorland, frequented by a handful of inhabitants of the Benoist family's former tenant farm. Only the rabbits   kept this wilderness alive, among the heather, gorse and menhirs.
• The industrial boom: The first major transformation came with the installation of a rope factory on the present site of the flour mill. This industrial development was located near the Quai Le Ray, which had already been active since 1800 thanks to port activities 
• The train factor    : The arrival of the railway in Pornic in 1875 was the real catalyst for urbanisation. The Gourmalon district, which had been isolated until then, began to attract holidaymakers and became a popular place to live.
• A booming district: Benefiting from the fame of the nearby Malmy spring  , Gourmalon underwent a real transformation. A vast housing estate was laid out, marking the gradual urbanisation of the entire district.

  Good to know :

•   duration: 1h30
•   distance: 3km

Find out more about the history of the town