Our visit to the Maison Barthouil Salmon House in Peyrehorade

On the edge of the Landes, where the gaves meet to form the mighty Adour, lies a place that celebrates the soul of this land: La Maison du Saumon de la Maison Barthouil. The Landes Guide set out to discover the fascinating story of a traveling fish and the generous terroir that makes the Southwest famous.

More than just a museum, this unique interpretation center in Peyrehorade is an ode to nature and gastronomy. It highlights two treasures of the region: salmon, a symbol of perseverance, and the essential foie gras, emblem of an ancestral culinary tradition.

Throughout these lines, we invite you to follow us in this exploration, from the epic of salmon to the delicacy of foie gras, to live a sensory and cultural experience.

Discovering local treasures: salmon and foie gras

Nestled on the banks of the Gave in Peyrehorade, La Maison Barthouil benefits from a peaceful natural setting that immediately immerses the visitor in the ambiance of the river. Far from traditional museums, it is a true interpretation center, designed to educate and amaze.

From the moment we enter, we are immersed in the world of the Landes region. The garden is made up of essential elements:

• A fisherman's hut recreated as it was originally on the banks of the Gave;
• A traditional salmon fisherman's boat ;
• The ecosystem of the barthes with the alder reproduced identically...

After touring the store, the guided tour starts at 10:30 a.m. Let's go for an hour together!

The experience of the visit

The museum tour of La Maison du Saumon is designed to be interactive and immersive.

Salmon

Our guide for the day begins by explaining how salmon arrives in the Landes region and its importance in the history of the region, where rivers have always been vital arteries. The Atlantic salmon is then presented as a symbol of resilience.

We then cross the garden to the museum section of La Maison Barthouil. Here, it's an opportunity to deepen the knowledge of the Guide des Landes on the epic journey of salmon between the fresh waters of the gaves and the depths of the ocean. Do you know the life cycle of the Adour salmon? You'll know everything thanks to the visit!

Through explanatory panels, evocative photos and detailed models, we follow the journey of the Atlantic salmon. A film also enhances the discovery.

Next, we move on to the "kitchen side" to discover the salmon smokehouse. It looks like a large cabinet where the salmon are hung. This technique was imported from Denmark by Joseph "Kiki" Labarthe, then in collaboration with Gaston Barthouil, at the head of the family business.

Foie gras

At the same time, part of the exhibition is dedicated to foie gras, the other jewel of local gastronomy. We understand how the breeding of mulard ducks has taken root in agricultural traditions, becoming an art of living and a pillar of Southwest cuisine.

Maison Barthouil makes a point of respecting ducks in the preparation of its foie gras.

The exhibition illustrates the life cycles of these two flagship products, from the birth of the salmon to its incredible migration, and from the breeding of the palmipeds to the artisanal production of foie gras. A duality that wonderfully tells the story of the balance between wildlife and the land.

The tasting

What makes the experience unique is the opportunity to participate in a tasting workshop at the end of the tour. In a corner of the boutique, the Landes Guide sits down with the other visitors. On the program for this tasting at La Maison Barthouil :

• Two smoked salmons with very different tastes;
• Tarama on blinis ;
• Dried duck breast ;
• Pâté on blinis.

All the products are, of course, homemade and delighted all the visitors of the day, led by the Landes Guide. They can all be found in the shop to bring a little bit of the Landes home with you.

La Maison Barthouil items can also be purchased in its stores in La Rochelle, in two boutiques in Paris and in the one in Peyrehorade.

Did you like our article? Find more in our Experiences to Live section.

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