Red Lands

Nestled between the sea and the dunes, the GR8 coastal trail that runs along the Terres Rouges invites you to discover the flora and fauna of this protected area in Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef.

Nature lovers will discover protected animal and plant species: dune carnation, sea arrowgrass, blue tit, Rielse’s gull, green lizard...

 Learn a little more about this site:
 
Located in the northwest of the town, the site covers a total area of approximately 66 ha.
This protected area, managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral, is of great botanical interest and boasts a rich variety of wildlife. 
The site currently features a diversity of habitats that extend from the foreshore to the inland areas.

 Why “Les Terres Rouges”?

The Gohaud cliffs, composed of layered and folded rocks ranging in color from silver to red, were formed by the deformation of geological material dating back nearly 600 million years. Easily identifiable minerals include elongated quartz crystals in the rock’s bedding planes, as well as feldspars and micas that give the rock its silvery color. On the cliffs, the dunes are red in places; the sands contain pink to red feldspars (from the Pliocene) that give the site its name: Les Terres Rouges.


 Preservation of the Site:
 
For about 25 years, the municipality of Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef has been undertaking a project to reclaim and rehabilitate the Terres Rouges site in partnership with the Conservatoire du Littoral and the Loire-Atlantique department.
The development, protection, and enhancement of sensitive natural areas—following the passage of the Coastal Law in 1986—have enabled the Conservatoire du Littoral to acquire nearly 14 hectares since 1990.
Routine maintenance of the site (mowing, installation of wooden fences) is the responsibility of the Loire-Atlantique Department in accordance with the current management plan. The municipality of Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef handles minor emergency repairs and keeps the site clean. A management agreement has been in place between the municipality, the department, and the Conservatoire du Littoral since 2007.

 Floristic Significance:

Due to its unique ecological conditions and diverse habitats, Les Terres Rouges is of great floristic interest. Indeed, the plants that thrive there are well-adapted not only to the coastal climate (sea spray, desiccation, etc.) but also to their very poor, dry, salty, and shifting substrates.

A total of 80 species have been recorded, some of which are protected at various levels:

 
 “The icing on the cake”: a breathtaking view of the ocean, the dunes, and the cliffs...so don’t wait any longer to go!