The Dombes of a thousand ponds
From the blue of its ponds to the red of its carrons (typical bricks), the Dombes is a festival of colors, scents and sounds. Amid this natural landscape of water, listen carefully for the song of wild birds and the croaking of frogs. Watch the ballet of the waterfowl as they glide across the calm waters of the ponds, and perhaps even spot the star resident, the grey heron.
The origin of the ponds
In the Middle Ages, the Dombes landscape was made up of vast marshlands with the distinctive feature of very clayey soil. In those days, the inhabitants had very few resources to feed themselves, no land to cultivate and no meadows for animals.
As early as the 11th century, monks began to develop the Dombes region, creating the first fishponds. As demand for freshwater fish grew, the number of fishponds multiplied.
Water, a precious resource
The ponds are fed solely by runoff, rainwater, and by other surrounding ponds. In fact, water from the upper ponds fills the lower ponds via a network of ditches.
Thanks to a traditional and very well-controlled process, the precious water resource, is perfectly utilized. Today 1,200 ponds are maintained and operated with respect for centuries-old traditions.
Héron cendré posé dans l'herbe
Lever de soleil sur un étang
Paysages de la Dombe en Automne.
Journee peche etang de la Dombes (Ain)
recettes de carpe, fiche recette, filet de carpe, gougeonnette, cuisine par vincent lacroix
Salade de carpe fuméeAn economy based on pond resources
The emblem of the Dombes region is the Dombes fish, in fact this is the leading freshwater fish-producing region in France, with an annual production of 1,200 tons.
The Association de Promotion du Poisson des Étangs de la Dombes (APPED), with the aim of promoting this product and the fish farming industry, has created thePoissons de Dombes brand.
Carp is the star of the Dombes, accounting for 70% of pond production. Present since the Middle Ages, it is a hardy fish and ensures the balance of the pond. There are 1,001 ways to cook Dombes carp, a treat for your taste buds that’s even served for Christmas dinner in Germany!
Pike, zander, tench and other fish produced in the ponds also feature among the delicious dishes served in the local restaurants: …
