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The swamps were dried up as a state initiative and replaced with what is now one of the largest artificial forests of Europe, if my memory is correct for both s

The swamps were dried up as a state initiative and replaced with what is now one of the largest artificial forests of Europe, if my memory is correct for both sanitary reasons and to produce trees for shipbuilding.

abeppu 5y ago
Oh, that really changes the backdrop for this paragraph: > In the 19th century, as the marshes of Landres dried up and the shepherd’s need to move on stilts began to disappear, the practice became strangely fashionable among some of the more eccentric aristocrats of French society. In the early 20th century, stilt marathons were held in Paris, celebrating the French agricultural tradition. As you say, this was an intentional afforestation project which ended pastoralism in the area; it's not merely that the shepherds' needs changed as that there were no longer shepherds. Aristocrats finding amusement mimicking the practices of a group that was effectively destroyed by a national action seems at best lacking awareness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landes_forest#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landes_forest#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19_June_1857_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19_June_1857_law
- cinntaile 5y ago
  I don't get how reach the conclusion that the aristocrats lacked awareness because they held stilt marathons to celebrate the tradition?
  - beaconstudios 5y ago
    Well, they destroyed the tradition by foresting the area.
- idiotsecant 5y ago
  I'm not sure awareness of the social plights of the oppressed underclass was a big hallmark of early 19th century aristocrats.
  - zdragnar 5y ago
    Putting on affectations of the underclasses is kind of typical for aristocrats. Young rebellious French aristocrats are why Bohemian went from being a racial descriptor of Bohemians to "colorful eclectic artsy peasant fashion".
- estaseuropano 5y ago
  While you describe a general trend, this does not seem to apply here. The initiative vastly improved quality of life for the local population. While we might romanticism stilt-walking shepherds, that is an incredibly harsh and difficult life. The forestation project improved longevity and allowed the area to build other sectors and to integrate with the wider economy and society. I'm sure if you reforest the Sahara some will lose their livelihoods but it also would have many benefits for many people.
liotier 5y ago
More about the man-made change of the Landes from dreary marshes to the best managed forest in Europe: https://www.swsurfhouse.com/blog/history-of-landes https://www.swsurfhouse.com/blog/history-of-landes https://www.green-resort.com/en/experiences-us/nature-discoveries/the-forest-of-landes-de-gascogne-a-haven-of-serenity/ https://www.green-resort.com/en/experiences-us/nature-discov...

abeppu 5y ago

Oh, that really changes the backdrop for this paragraph: > In the 19th century, as the marshes of Landres dried up and the shepherd’s need to move on stilts began to disappear, the practice became strangely fashionable among some of the more eccentric aristocrats of French society. In the early 20th century, stilt marathons were held in Paris, celebrating the French agricultural tradition. As you say, this was an intentional afforestation project which ended pastoralism in the area; it's not merely that the shepherds' needs changed as that there were no longer shepherds. Aristocrats finding amusement mimicking the practices of a group that was effectively destroyed by a national action seems at best lacking awareness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landes_forest#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landes_forest#History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19_June_1857_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19_June_1857_law

cinntaile 5y ago
I don't get how reach the conclusion that the aristocrats lacked awareness because they held stilt marathons to celebrate the tradition?
- beaconstudios 5y ago
  Well, they destroyed the tradition by foresting the area.
idiotsecant 5y ago
I'm not sure awareness of the social plights of the oppressed underclass was a big hallmark of early 19th century aristocrats.
- zdragnar 5y ago
  Putting on affectations of the underclasses is kind of typical for aristocrats. Young rebellious French aristocrats are why Bohemian went from being a racial descriptor of Bohemians to "colorful eclectic artsy peasant fashion".
estaseuropano 5y ago
While you describe a general trend, this does not seem to apply here. The initiative vastly improved quality of life for the local population. While we might romanticism stilt-walking shepherds, that is an incredibly harsh and difficult life. The forestation project improved longevity and allowed the area to build other sectors and to integrate with the wider economy and society. I'm sure if you reforest the Sahara some will lose their livelihoods but it also would have many benefits for many people.

liotier 5y ago

More about the man-made change of the Landes from dreary marshes to the best managed forest in Europe: https://www.swsurfhouse.com/blog/history-of-landes https://www.swsurfhouse.com/blog/history-of-landes https://www.green-resort.com/en/experiences-us/nature-discoveries/the-forest-of-landes-de-gascogne-a-haven-of-serenity/ https://www.green-resort.com/en/experiences-us/nature-discov...