Visit the Regional Natural Park of the Poitevin Marais

Wanderlix offers a focus on the different ways to visit the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin.

The Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin is spread over 3 departments: Two-Sèvres, Vendée and Charente-Maritime . This immense territory was shaped by man over the centuries, thanks to the construction of dikes and the development of canals.

Today, there are three main parts: wet marsh, also known as “green Venice”, dry marsh and maritime marsh. There are so many ways to visit the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin, Wanderlix presents you here some!

The Marais Poitevin in a few words

The Marais Poitevin is certainly a natural space, but it is also the result of a human development that spreads over the last 10,000 years. Men have little to shape the landscape to create a space for crops and livestock. By building dikes and digging canals, they were able to take part in a previously inhospitable space to make it a rich and unique territory of its kind.

This major wetland of interest at the European level is a haven of peace for the region’s fauna and flora, which we like to discover during a visit to the Regional Natural Park of Marais Poitevin.

1. The Marais Poitevin in a boat

The boat ride is a must-see during a visit to the Regional Natural Park of Marais Poitevin. Through the water, you slide into a quiet resting among the labyrinth of the canals, in the shadow of the astonishing. You will sail among the conches and jokes, on the trace of the inhabitants and merchants of the marsh and their former trades.

For an authentic and enriching experience, let yourself be guided by an expert workshop. In addition to pushing the boat with its "freeze" according to tradition, it will share its knowledge of the region's fauna and flora. Thus, you will be entitled to the "fire on the water" show, a unique and surprising phenomenon mastered by all the good bworkshops.

For a quiet family walk, you can also book a boat and go for autonomy. Thanks to a clear and detailed itinerary adapted to your rental time, you realize a journey alone, between friends or family.

The most athletic people can choose to visit the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin in canoe. Many companies offer boat rentals, go to the village park or contact them before you book a niche.

Practical information :

Coulon is the epicentre of the Marais Poitevin, where the tourist affluence is the strongest. For more calm, opt for a more remote block, such as La Garette, Arçais or Damvix.

At the rate level, count about 15 € per person for a guided walk of one hour, 36 € For three hours. Without a guide, count 16 € for a boat of 4 people for an hour, 50 € for 8 people for 5 hours. The rental of a 3-seater canoe will cost you 16 € for an hour, 48 € 8:00.

2. Visit the Marais Poitevin by bike

Here, no question of steep collars or ribs as you can see every summer in the Tour de France. Visiting the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin by bike is accessible to all, families with children at the best sporting ages.

A few 850 kilometres of marked circuits cross the region and connect Niort and the bay of the Aiguillon to the Atlantic coast. Many agencies offer classic bike rental or electric assistance, as well as clear and detailed maps.

You will have the chance to borrow La Vélo Francette, elected Europe’s best bike route in 2017. Also, you will cross diverse and varied landscapes, between villages typical of wet marsh and dry marsh canals. Concoct your own course or choose a turnkey itinerary, with night in a cottage or camping.

Practical information :

For an adult bike, count 7 € time, 15 € day and day 39 for a three-day weekend. Children's bikes and trailers are also available in some providers.

3. Explore the villages and discover the gastronomy of the Marais Poitevin

Create your own village itinerary in the village to immerse yourself in the heart of the marsh. Arçais, Coulon or Nieul-sur-l’Autise are part of the network “Small cities of character”.

In Coulon, you will start with the House of the Marais Poitevin, an indispensable introduction before visiting the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin. You will travel between the villages on foot, by bike, by boat or even by horse.

Lesson, Marans, Fontenay-le-Comte and Niort are marsh entrance gates. You will discover them at the same time as their historical monuments like the Donjon of Niort. Then, sit on the terrace and enjoy the culinary specialties prepared with local and seasonal products.

However, you will not have enough time to taste everything. This is why we recommend stuffci poitevin, snails, frog thighs, ham with mogettes or the amazing ragondin paste!

4. Overflight the Marais Poitevin in a hot air balloon

Visit the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin in hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. You will fly over the villages of Damvix, Coulon, Arçais, the port of Courdeau and the abbey of Mallezais.

In the early morning, you will first attend the balloon inflation. Then you will take a seat on the nacelle for a quiet and impressive flight. Observe the sun rise and the mist that evaporates as the earth warms up.

For an hour, you will be amazed by admiring the marsh and canals that cut the landscape, with an unprecedented view. At the landing, you will see a graduation and taste the traditional collation of the aeronaut.

Practical information :

Departure from Niort, Damvix, Aziré or Fontenay-le-Comte 45 minutes from La Rochelle. The duration of the activity is 4 hours, for an actual flight hour. Rate from 150 € per person, depending on the number of participants.

5. Fishing stay in Marais Poitevin

Another original way to discover the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin is to introduce itself to fishing techniques with a graduated guide. On the Niortese Lip, the Lay, the Mignon, the primary and secondary channels, the playground is immense.

Initiate yourself to the various techniques: fishing for the gardon or the brème, bottom fishing for the perch or the pint... The balance fishery allows to extract from the marsh the invasive shrimps that will be consumed directly during a friendly meal at the waterfront. You can opt for a full fishing weekend or a half-day initiation.

Practical information :

The rates range from 95 € for a discovery session of 2h30 to 4 fishermen in 330 € for a weekend to 3 people, without meals and accommodation. Provide the cost of the fishing card in addition.

6. Descent of the Péniche

On the banks of Damvix is moored a strange boat that offers you to visit the Regional Natural Park of the Poitevin Marais otherwise. This barge, designed to navigate the marsh canals and borrow the locks, combines cultural and gastronomic visit.

The Collibert de son petit nom is a 30-metre boat with two engines and therefore two rudders, indispensable to maneuver in the heart of the marsh. The boat owner tells you the location from the geological, geographical or historical angles.

It is then time to discover the gastronomic specialities of the region. On the menu: the eels jumped, the sander net or the mojettes or the typical marsh beans.

Practical information :

Departure from Damvix port at 11:45 am, back between 3:30 pm and 4 pm. From April to October, three options for menus: the Huttier to 47 € , the Boat Choat 50 € and the Collibert 62 € . In summer, menu suggestions from the chef to 39 .

7. Discover the birds of the Marais Poitevin

To visit the Parc Naturel Régional du Marais Poitevin in an original way, go to the park "Les oiseaux du Marais Poitevin". On foot or on board a boat, you will explore 8 hectares of preserved wild nature where more than 75 species of birds have chosen home.

Among the emblematic birds of the park are the White Hunt, the Eider in Duvet or the Rious Oie. Also, the place is particularly suitable for visiting the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin with family, with many activities thought for children.

Momo's labyrinth will take them, for example, in the footsteps of Momo's migration the gobble fly. Through playful panels in the form of band-desinée, they can discover the journey of this amazing bird.

Various trail games are also disseminated in the park, to learn how to recognize endemic wild plants and trees in the wetland. Initiation modules to ornithology are also available, so that vocations can be created among the youngest!

At the end of the visit, you will witness the screening of the film “Le Marais Poitevin with wing pull” on a giant screen.

Practical information :

The bird park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day from 7 June to 15 September, and from 2.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Monday between 15 September and 1 November. You will reach him from the village of Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud.

The cost of the free visit is of 9 € for adults and 6 € for children. Preferential rates are offered to families, groups, or for guided tours combined with a boat ride.

8. Other activities in the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin

Other opportunities to visit the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin also offer you:

• Discover the Aniserie-savonnerie theme park of the Marais Poitevin;
• Follow one route Géocaching from Saint-Germain-du-Rex or Coulon;
• Visit them pedagogical farms of the Marais Poitevin;
• Participate in a 3V walk (velo, vines and wines) on the theme of oenology around the village of Pissote;
• Visit the Ecomusée de la Maison du Maître de Digues in Chaillé-les-Marais;
• Go away horse riding or on the back of a donkey or baudet;
• It is possible to book "all in one" formulas which combine different activities during a weekend, with guided tour in boat, bike rental and overnight stay in cottage with meals included for example.