The Sable Blanc plain

In the 18th century, the confluence of the Vignacq and Courlis rivers fed the pond of Saint-Julien et de Lit. A century later this pond split in two and gave rise to vast areas of marshland. At the beginning of the 20th century, the ponds and a large part of the associated wetlands were drained to combat an epidemic. The Courant de Contis, which was the outlet of the ponds, is now the channelized outlet of the two watercourses and of a drainage network of which the Plaine du Sable Blanc is a perfect example. This drainage system now allows asparagus to be grown.