12 things to do in the Marais poitevin in Summer

05 July 2018

In the Marais poitevin Regional Natural Park, there is so much to do in summer to enjoy nature and unwind. Bike ride, boat ride, walk… The list is long and here is below the top 12 of the things to do this summer in the Marais poitevin!

1: A boat ride in the Marais poitevin

In summer, the stream of canals guide you in the marshes… In the shadows of the ash trees, you will certainly catch a kingfisher on a branch, stalking its next prey… And if you are really quiet, maybe an otter will show up…

To take a break, get out of the boat and go visit the small villages. For those who don’t want to stay on the boat, go meet the merchants at floating markets…

→ GO SPEND A DAY IN A BOAT TRIP!

2: Leave your car and go on a nature escapade

To discover the Marais poitevin Regional Natural Park this summer, there’s nothing better than leave your car to explore the lands of the Poitou region by boat, by bike or by foot.

By bike, go on the paths of the Marais poitevin to discover beautiful cities like Coulon or Arçais and ride the marshes! During your rides, the small treasures of the Marais poitevin will come to you: gardens, small harbours, towpaths…

Give yourself some time to discover the wet marsh by boat. Close your eyes and listen to the sound of birds, for a moment of tranquillity. In the Marais poitevin, we leave the car to reconnect with nature!

→ DISCOVER OUR CAR-FREE NATURE ESCAPADE!

3: Discover fishing in the Marais poitevin

In summer in the Marais poitevin, try fishing during a sunny day! Here, fishing is sustainable and has a resource-based approach: once they have been captured, fishes are put back in the water.

There are different fishing techniques in the region: square net fishing, fishing with lures, cray-fishing, shell hunting… And to spend some great time with your family or your friends, test the float tube in the wet marshes!

→ DISCOVER OUR ARTICLE AND GO FISHING!

4: Hit the trails of the Marais poitevin

Hit the trails of the Marais poitevin by foot or by bike!

Cross the bridges and gateways for a quiet trip along the waterways, in the heart of the forests, or even towards the ocean! Prepare your picnic for a lunch beneath the shade of ash trees, along the waterways: a great day ahead!

→ DISCOVER THE TRAILS OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN!

5: Discover the intimacy of the villages of the Marais poitevin

Visiting the typical villages of the Marais poitevin is a must do in summer. With your camera and your hat, lose yourself in those small treasures of the Poitou…

In a boat or by foot, the villages encourage you to stroll in the alleys flourished with hollyhocks. And as background music: bird and hoopoe songs… Have fun with the name of streets, all unusual, then complete your trip with a stop in a café and enjoy your holidays.

→ ENJOY THE INTIMACY OF THE VILLAGES OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN

6: Test water activities in the Marais poitevin

The Marais poitevin Regional Natural Park spreads to the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. There is nothing better than enjoying the sea air and trying the different water activities: surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kitesurfing, sailing… You have the choice in the Marais poitevin!

With those activities, you can also enjoy yourselves on the beach or go shell hunting for souvenirs!

→ GO SURFING IN THE MARAIS POITEVIN!

7: Go out and visit the city by night

Go discover the cities of the Marais poitevin during a calm summer evening. Whether for a romantic dinner, a drink with friends or just for a quiet stroll to admire the evening lights, the cities of the Marais poitevin are perfect to unwind.

Don’t miss the concerts and exhibitions that can take place in Niort, Fontenay-le-Comte, Luçon or even La Rochelle.

→ DISCOVER THE VILLAGES OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN BY NIGHT!

8: Get away by canoe

Summer is also an opportunity to take the paddles and navigate by canoe on the 320 kilometres of marked paths in the Marais poitevin. Be like an explorer for a day with your family or your friends: sensations and laughter guaranteed!

Some of the paths will lead you to the ocean, where you will see cows grazing on the meadows along the waterways: a true nature escapade!

→ GO FOR A TRIP IN CANOE!

9: Enjoy the fauna and flora of the Marais poitevin

Come and admire the fauna and flora of the Marais poitevin in summer. For animals or nature lovers, during a trip, you will maybe see an otter or a heron on the wild lands of the Marais poitevin… To observe birds, go to the numerous bird sanctuaries of the region.

And if the Rosalia longicorn is heavily present, it’s because the flora of the Marais poitevin attracts insects…

→ GO FIND OTHER NATURE’S TREASURES!

10: Sail the Marsh

The 8200 kilometres of waterways of the Marais poitevin, as well as its 594 hydraulic infrastructures, give you real picture-postcard landscapes. Between dikes, locks, lock gates, bungs and aqueducts, discover the history of those structures or the harbours of the Marais poitevin.

Don’t forget your camera to capture those landscapes along the waterways during sunny days or at sunset. It’s also an opportunity to admire the boats passing the locks!

→ VISIT THE MARAIS POITEVIN ALONG THE WATERWAYS

11: Admire the Marais poitevin from the sky

During hot summer days, enjoy a balloon flight to admire the Marais poitevin from above!

Abbey remains, dry and wet marshes, meadows, beaches, forests… So many magnificent landscapes to see for an unforgettable memory!

→ ENJOY THE MARAIS POITEVIN FROM THE SKY!

12: Cycle across the Marais poitevin

In summer, the weather gives you the opportunity to use your bikes in the Marais poitevin! Go with your family or your friends for a bike trip along the marshes or the coastline!

Small village will invite you to lose yourself in the small alleys and stop to drink in a café.

Prepare your picnic and let’s go for a great sunny day!

→ EXPLORE THE MARAIS POITEVIN BY BIKE!

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