OUR STORY

OUR STORY

In the beginning, an island
The History of Canneries
The last Thonier of the island of Groix Island

In the beginning, an island

The island of Groix or Enez Groe in Breton is located off the south coast of Brittany opposite the port of Lorient about 4 miles from the mainland.On arrival, it is the discovery of Port Tudy, one of the five ports of the island (the others being Port Lay – Port St Nicolas - Port of Locmaria and Port Melin distributed between the North and South coast), Port Tudy is the anchor point of the island that punctuates the arrivals and departures of the boat.Second island of Brittany by its area, the island of Groix is 8 km long and 3 km wide and has immense peculiarities.On the one hand, one is quickly captivated by its natural and wild landscapes that remind you of the immensity of the sky and the sea, the island of Groix is an endearing territory where the authenticity of the small villages of yesteryear mingles with an infinite beauty of the coast brewed by the spray. Groix holds a geological wealth of such interest that a nature reserve was created, its culinary heritage is vast and intimately linked to the history of the island which knew a rich past during the era of the canneries of Albacore tuna.

The History of Canneries

From 1863 to 1979, five canneries made on the island of Groix the best canned Albacore tuna on the Atlantic coast: Romieux, Jégo, Kersaho, Orvoën, or Tristan-Calloch.They participated for more than a century in the tuna saga of the island and made the pride of the groisillons; the traditional rooster of the bell tower of the village church was even replaced by a… tuna! It was truly a golden age since the island counted up to 300 tuna boats moored in Port-Tudy but also in Port-Lay, the first port built on the island. As the Germon White Tuna sold very little in fee, the groisillons crews first supplied the existing canneries on the Atlantic coast. Then the arrival of the train in Lorient in 1862 and the opening of markets triggered, in 1863, a movement of construction of canneries in Groix. The factories, which first worked sardines, will provide work for several generations of young girls and sailors' wives but also for many families from the continent.At the beginning of the 20th century, Port-Tudy was the first French tuna port and the whole island was punctuated by fishing for White Tuna Germon. With more than three hundred dundees - sailing boats - a fishing school, Groix Island was a particularly well-known island for tuna fishing, with a sizeable fleet that was known for being among the ones to fetch tuna farther from shore.

The last Thonier of the island of Groix Island

Le Biche is a tuna dundee on the island of Groix, built in 1934 in Les Sables d'Olonne for the groisillon patron Ange Stéphan. This one was nicknamed Ange Biche, hence the name of the boat «Le Biche». Many tuna boats on the island of Groix were built in Les Sables-d'Olonne, where the shipyards built solid boats, suitable for summer tuna fishing and winter dredging.The Biche is the last tuna boat of Groix still preserved today. Long restored, it can now sail for day trips or several days according to desires. It marks a prosperous period of tuna fishing and a strong history in the heart of the groisillons sailors.Since its first years on the sea until today, the Biche embodies the tradition, courage and resilience of the sailors of Groix. Thus, we are proud to contribute to preserve its heritage through our commitment to social and solidarity participation in Biche activities.

OUR KNOW-HOW

Groix & Nature know-how is infused by a team of enthusiasts that has been built up over the years.
A real local sustainable development project by creating 19 jobs year-round on the island of Groix and 16 on the continent. Passionate about the taste of good products and proud to perpetuate local culinary traditions to offer quality products respectful of the environment.
For the preparation of our recipes we leave time to brown, reduce, simmer… so many tricks of the hand that constitute the know-how of the men and women of Groix & Nature.

Audrey

Audrey

Yannick

Yannick

Nadia

Nadia

Mickaël

Mickaël

Charlotte

Charlotte

Loïc

Loïc

Emmanuelle

Emmanuelle

Marc

Marc

Marianne

Marianne

Richard

Richard

Séverine

Séverine

Marion

Marion

Julie

Julie

Lucie

Lucie

Merig

Merig

LIVING HERITAGE COMPANY

Groix & Nature is certified Living Heritage Company, this distinction of unique state in France rewards the excellence of French know-how and artisanal heritage. It is a true showcase of French excellence that contributes to the preservation and transmission of unique know-how.

LIVING HERITAGE COMPANY

Quality artisan producer

La Conserverie Groix & Nature is recognized by Le Collège Culinaire de France: Quality Artisan Producer.
This appellation recognizes our appreciation of the culinary know-how of the island and the choice to make authentic recipes cooked where the hand of man has all its importance.

Quality artisan producer

PRODUCED IN BRITTANY

Groix et Nature is a member of the association Produit en Bretagne which aims to responsibly support the economic and cultural dynamics for employment in Brittany.
This initiative supports the local economy, the preservation of the cultural heritage and traditional know-how of our region.

PRODUCED IN BRITTANY

Raw materials of excellence

Abalone and mussels of the island of Groix, Bar, Sardine, White Tuna Germon, Merlu, Dorade, Cuttlefish and Octopus are of Brittany origin. Our other fish and crustaceans such as St Jacques, Lobster, Salmon are of North East Atlantic origin and purchased directly from fishmongers to favor short supply circuits.

Raw materials of excellence

Cooked with passion on the island of Groix

Our recipes are cooked on the island in a traditional way respecting the resource and culinary traditions of the island, without coloring or preservatives, with a limited number of ingredients and a high percentage of raw material to transcribe the initial taste of each fish.

An island know-how preserved by the confection of authentic and refined recipes. Groix & Nature reflects the passion for taste, good products, precision, land and sea, artisanal heritage and excellence of French know-how.

OUR PARTNERS

Our suppliers offer us the best of their territory while respecting seasonality.
These fishermen, producers of abalone, blue lobster, sardines and tuna, select every day, respecting the resource, exceptional raw materials.

Jean Besnard

Jean Besnard

MOULIN MARÉE

Mareyeur in Lorient for three generations, Moulin Marée is our privileged partner in fish fillets and seafood. We receive at the production workshop of the island of Groix, the fish fillets for the preparation of our recipes. Located opposite the island of Groix, the port of Lorient is an emblematic place of fishing in France.

ERWAN TONNERRE

ERWAN TONNERRE

GROIX HALIOTIS

Erwan Tonnerre, passionate halioticculturist on Groix Island is specialized in the breeding of abalone from spats. The abalone or sea ear lives at the base of the shoals or under the rocks in Brittany. Iodized with an inimitable taste, abalone feed on algae and plant particles.

GAETAN LAPPART

GAETAN LAPPART

Originaire de St Guénolé et pêcheur bolincheur en baie d'Audierne, Gaëtan Lappart est notre unique fournisseur de sardine pour confectionner nos rillettes de sardines au Piment d’Espelette. Fraîchement débarquées au port de St Guénolé, les sardines sont pêchées à la bolinche, une pêche durable et responsable qui respecte la ressource.

ALEXIS TAUGE

ALEXIS TAUGE

CING DEGRES OUEST

Located in the port of Lorient, 5 Degrés Ouest specializes in the flesh of blue lobster and other crustaceans and shells, obtained by a unique cold shelling process that gives them unparalleled qualities in terms of taste and texture.