The wildlife and flora of the Terre de Briord estate form a remarkable environment, classified ZNIEFF Type 1 since 2006. An ecological treasure between the Loire and the Atlantic.
The wildlife and flora of the Terre de Briord estate form a remarkable and ecologically very precious environment. The meadows and woods adjoining the ponds of Briord are the subject of a specific protection established on 9 November 2006 by the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and the Sea.
This ZNIEFF Type 1 protection means that the environment of the Château de Briord constitutes a major Natural Zone of Ecological, Faunal and Floral Interest. The Land of Briord zone is classified under the national identifier number 520015276.
The geological bedrock of the Terre de Briord estate is composed of mica schists and gneiss. These elements imply different types of soil according to the topographical position studied. On mica schists, one finds healthy, shallow and stony soils on the slopes, as well as predominantly clayey soils on flat ground, deeper but also more waterlogged.
On gneiss, one finds similarities with a greater proportion of sand resulting from the weathering of the gneiss: sandy ground on the slopes and clay-sandy soils at the foot of the slope.
Located in the commune of Port-Saint-Père in Loire-Atlantique, within the Pays de Retz, the Land of Briord belongs to the natural region known as the Vendée bocage. The altitude varies around the château of Briord from 2 to 30 metres.
The estate lies in the catchment basin of the Acheneau. The runoff waters are collected at the ponds of Briord, then released into the Acheneau and the Loire, or into Lake Grand-Lieu. It is therefore a zone of exchange between the brackish waters of the Loire and the fresh waters of Grand-Lieu, presenting a very important conservation stake.