Artisans du Sel

The salt marshes of Guérande sit on the southern coast of Brittany, France, where the Loire-Atlantique meets the sea. They have been producing salt continuously for 2,000 years- a network of shallow clay basins, entirely shaped by hand, that now stretch across 2,600 hectares of protected wetland. The site holds Ramsar, Natura 2000, and French national heritage designations. It is one of the last places in Europe where salt is still harvested the way it traditionally was.

Artisans du Sel is based in Le Croisic, at the heart of this landscape. The company was taken over in 2018 by Mérédith and Gautier Férard, who brought a new generation of energy to a product with deep roots- combining traditional paludier craft with a considered, contemporary approach to quality and sustainability. The team includes salt farmers, production staff, and food engineers, all working around the same raw material: Guérande sea salt, harvested by hand, unheated, unground, with nothing added.

The difference between artisanal Guérande salt and the refined industrial alternative is concrete. Artisanal salt retains its natural trace minerals magnesium, calcium and potassium, along with lower pure sodium content and none of the additives (anti-caking agents, iodine, fluoride, glutamate) found in standard table salt. The crystals are left intact. The flavour is measurably more complex.

The range runs from pure Fleur de Sel- the delicate surface crystals skimmed by hand each morning during harvest season- to coarse grey sel de Guérande and fine sieved salt, alongside a collection of over 70 blended and aromatic salts using organic spices and botanicals. Every product carries the IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) certification, guaranteeing origin and method.

What we love about Artisans du Sel

It took us a while to find a salt supplier which had packaging other than plastic. It is difficult to not use plastic, due to salt being a natural absorber of moisture. Artisans du Sel offered some glass and ceramic alternatives.

We also love their story and passion for their product- Guérande salt is the undisputed king of European salt and for good reason- it's in good hands with companies such as Artisans du Sel to protect the traditions and environment for the future.