Marais Poitevin
The Marais-Poitevin is a region of land reclaimed from the receding ocean to the west of Niort and north of La Rochelle in the Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charente regions.
The region was a designated 'Regional Natural Parc' until 1996 but the title was withdrawn, due to the intensive agriculture that had been introduced in the region. Efforts are underway to get the area redesignated.
It is the northern marshy region of the Marais-Poitevin that is of most interest to visitors (the southern part is largely flat agricultural land). The main towns for exploring the region are Coulon, Arçais and Luçon.
The Marais-Poitevin offers a natural environment that is unique in France. The wooded region is extensively crossed by canals and rivers, and in many parts is best explored by boat - usually 'barques', the flat-bottomed boats, are used. Dinghy and canoe trips are also popular on the quiet waters.
These provide access to the still, green waters, in the shadows of the polars and weeping willows and provide a unique insight into this beautiful region. Information about hiring boats, guided tours and routes is available in many places in the region.
The region is known also for its wide range of fauna - from insects to mammals and birds, there is great diversity here. Herons are one of the birds commony seen. A visit to the Natural Reserve at Saint-Denis-du-Payré is a good place to start to learn more about the animal life of the region. The frogs you here are often the very noisy but ghard to spot small green frogs - and the scrappy-yet-cuddly looking donkeys are a variety known as Baudet de Poitou.
The imposing ruins of Maillezais Abbey are also to be visited.
Maisons du Parc
Within the Marais-Poitevin there are four 'maisons du parc' to help visitors better understand life in the marshes:
- Esnandes: Maison de la Myticulture, to learn about mussel production
- Coulon: Marais mouillés, for the traditions of the area in the 'wet marshes'
- Chaillé-les-Marais: Maison du Petit Poitou, for the traditions in the 'dry marshes'
- Nieul-sur-l'Autise: Maison de la Meunerie, an 18th century water mill still functioning (and used for local bread) today
Other popular activities in the Marais-Poitevin include fishing and cycling, and exploring the 'low impact' architecture of the villages in the region.
photos kindly contributed by Niall O'Neill
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Places to visit near Marais Poitevin, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Marais Poitevin.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
3 km: Coulon (Most beautiful village) 29 km: Fontenay-le-Comte (Town of art and history) 17 km: Maillezais abbey (Ruined benedictine abbey) 16 km: Nieul-sur-l'Autise (Abbey and village) 28 km: Surgeres (Charentais town)
See also Marais Poitevin (version Francais)
