- Geomorphological origins
Between 60,000 and 4,000 years ago, the glacial periods would have played a role in the shaping of the North Sea and English Channel landscapes and the building of the current sedimentary stocks. At that epoch, the Channel was a river that flowed out from the right of the Saire Valley in an East to West direction
The origins of the North Sea and Channel landscapes
- Agriculture
The rationalisation of agriculture began in the 16th century and continued until the 17th. From this time onwards, the farmers understood the importance of flooding the marshes for their activity.
The French Revolution led to the confiscation of the Lord of the Manor’s feudal rights over the marshes to the benefit of the inhabitants who became the owners.
Plan of Mielles – Vrasville pond (Bibliothèque nationale de France)
- Hydraulic works
Between 1860 and 1913, at least eight tidal flood gates were built along the northern coast of the Saire Valley. Also, various unions were created: the union of the Cosqueville marshes, the union of the Cosqueville strand and the free union association for the draining of the Néville pond, to name but a few.
The Néville tidal flood gate was built in 1913.
From the 1960s-70s, agricultural practices evolve. The marshes are no longer managed in the same way so that from this time onwards the tidal flood gates are maintained to a lesser and lesser extent.
