As part of the Inclusive Nature Experience (INE) project, we held a series of cyanotype workshops from September 8 to 18, 2025, in partnership with UFCV Pornichet and UFCV Pontchâteau, with the support of the Brière Regional Nature Park. Two groups of adults in social integration, accompanied by their facilitators Alice Tartoué and Sylvie Gouret, took part in this artistic and inclusive project on the theme of water and the relationship with nature.

Session 1 – Immersed in the Brière Marshes

The two groups met in Saint-Malo-de-Guersac for a day of discovery. After climbing (a brave effort for some!) to the Rozé belvedere and enjoying a picnic along the canal, Florence Buron, mediator for the Park, introduced the ecological and cultural richness of Brière: the uses of water, its fauna and flora, as well as threats such as botulism.
Equipped with binoculars and a spotting scope, participants observed marsh birds such as the redshank, spoonbill, kingfisher, and coot. A walk to the Pierre Constant reserve offered the opportunity to explore biodiversity and collect plants for the upcoming cyanotype workshops.

Session 2 – First Creative Steps

In Pornichet, although the rain prevented the practical work, the workshop focused on image composition and text writing through playful expression techniques (“I remember…”, anagrams, “I like when…”). Some participants even wrote poems. Sounds and atmospheres were also recorded.
In Pontchâteau, under a milder sky, the group was able to create their first cyanotypes. Divided into rotating workshops, they alternated between illustration and writing.

Session 3 – Cyanotypes and Sound Walks

Back in Pornichet, the cyanotypes were created using both natural and artificial light.
In Pontchâteau, a sunny day made it possible to continue the creations while enjoying a walk along the Brivet to capture sounds connected to the water and the landscape.

Feelings and Discoveries

For many participants, the idea of “creating” initially caused anxiety: fear of the blank page, of the group’s gaze, of thinking “I’m not capable.” The first walk in nature was essential to overcoming these barriers. Birdwatching, gathering plants, and immersion in the marsh helped spark inspiration.
As the sessions went on, everyone found their place and was able to produce an image, a text, and a sound. Participants, some of whom live with fatigue, social phobia, or anxiety, unanimously emphasized the well-being and enjoyment brought by these shared outdoor moments.
The meeting between the two groups, the facilitators, and the park mediators was also rich and stimulating. The facilitators themselves discovered a new artistic and inclusive tool, which they experimented with alongside their groups. Some participants even continued the experience at home, creating cyanotypes on their own.

And Afterwards…

The creations – cyanotypes, texts, and sounds – will be brought together in a booklet and an exhibition produced by Les Apprimeurs. They will be presented at the Fête de l’eau on October 5, where the participants will share their work with the public.
A beautiful artistic, human, and ecological adventure, illustrating the strength of the bond between nature, inclusion, and creation.