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Marans
Marans is a town to the north-east of La Rochelle, in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France.
The town of Marans has quite a busy road passing through it, and the temptation is to continue on your way. But I suggest you stop a while, because there are a couple of interesting attractions to explore slightly away from the main road. We stopped just by chance, attracted by the sign saying they had been awarded 'Four Flowers' by the national Village Fleuri' association (not many towns have achieved this), and because we saw a sign mentioning a 'Jardin des Plantes'.
I am a keen garden enthusiast and was not disappointed - the garden in front of the Mairie is superb, and free!
On exploring further, there is a church whose steeple can be seen throughout the town and is unusual in that it is made of steel, with the lower part encased in glass and the upper part left exposed. It's really very unusual for a church and works very well. Apparently the original chuch was considered to be too far from the town centre so the replacement (the church of Notre Dame) was constructed in 1900. Funds ran out before the steeple was built, but a local lad who had seen the original church built, then later made his fortune in Paris, gave the funds (when he was 93 years old) to build the modern steeple.
There is also a 'panoramic hall' in the steeple with great views across the town and the Marais Poitevin that lies to the east of Marans.
Another attraction worth seeing in the town is the covered market, built in 1882, an impressive glass and ironwork structure.
Marans also has a pleasant river port containing small river craft and yachts, where you can also stroll along the river bank, or hire a boat to explore the canals and waterways of the Marais Poitevin.
Note: I am not an angler but understand Marans is a very popular place with fishermen.
Marans: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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PLAN A VISIT TO MARANSHotels Marans
Holiday rentals / travel Property for sale Marans PLACES TO VISIT NEAR MARANS
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Map of Marans, France |
Places to visit - Marans
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map: Marans.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Marans are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Fontenay-le-Comte Town of art and history at 27 km
- La Rochelle Port town at 24 km
- Surgeres Charentais town at 35 km
- See also Marans (version Francais)
Tourist Classifications for Marans
- Town is "Ville Fleurie category 4" (ie good attention to gardens and flowers)
- approved Station Verte - resort paying particular attention to its natural environment
Information and photos
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