For twelve years the sheepfold of François Cerbonney, in the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, has been threatened with destruction.

This breeder built it illegally facing the sea, in a protected area.

An environmental association then lodged a complaint against the shepherd.

Today, his lambs have become essential to the biodiversity of the place.

At low tide, the green salt meadows stretch as far as the eye can see.

In this postcard setting, in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, is a flock of 350 sheep and, hidden behind the vegetation, the wooden sheepfold of François Cerbonney, built twelve years ago.

"If it disappears, I disappear with it," says François Cerbonney, owner of the sheepfold.

A sheepfold essential to the biodiversity of the place

The case has been going on for more than a decade.

A shepherd, recognized as one of the best breeders in salt meadows in the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, is being sued by an environmental association.

She accuses him of having broken the coastal law by building a shelter for his lambs.

Justice condemned him to dismantle his sheepfold.

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The future of lambs is now threatened.

However, they are essential for biodiversity.

"If the lambs do not graze on the grasses, the pastures are invaded by certain grasses", explains François Cerbonney.

The problem: these herbs "suffocate other species and prevent migrating birds from landing", explains the breeder.

"This should not be the door open to other projects"

And the shepherd has the support of the mayor of Genêts, Catherine Brunorine.

It ensures "to defend the ancestral activity of cows, sheep on salt meadows".

But she adds, breeding must be "supervised so that it is not the door open to other projects that could take place".

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This is precisely why the environmental association Manche Nature lodged a complaint twelve years earlier.

"If Mr. Cerbonney was not affected, why would we come and destroy a new construction? What would worry us is that someone who uses the same strategy and builds illegally", explains Alain Milien of the association Natural handle.

Only local authorities can order the destruction of the sheepfold.

The current mayor and prefect support François Cerbonney.

A sort of respite, like a reprieve for the shepherd and his sheep.