17 June 2025
Are you planning to go on holiday in the Marais poitevin? Do you have any questions on the geographical specificities of this exceptional site? Let’s discover the curiosities that make the Marais poitevin a popular destination for adventurers like you!
When we talk about the Marais poitevin, this question is often raised: Where is the Marais poitevin? To answer this question and promote this exceptional territory, we have created a perfect answer for you.
The Marais poitevin straddles several departments. It stretches from the South part of Vendée to the North part of Charente-Maritime and from the West part of the Deux-Sèvres to the Atlantic coast. Besides, this Regional Natural Park is one of the largest in France!
If the Marais poitevin is mainly known for its green wilderness, its borders are close to well-known big cities. Thus, you can stroll in the alleys of Niort or on La Rochelle Harbour. And for those who prefer to stay in the heart of the Marais poitevin, go visit the villages of Coulon, Arçais or La Garette, true havens in the heart of the Marais poitevin!
It’s very simple: by bike, train, or car—everything is possible to come and discover this unique area!
If Man was so passionate for the Marais poitevin since the Middle-Ages, it’s essentially because of its exceptional ecological richness. This territory is known for its diverse fauna and flora. Besides, ornithologists love tis territory because it’s an important migratory place for birds in Europe.
This ecological richness is partly due to the large wet area of the Marais poitevin which includes not less than one third of the tidal marshes on the Atlantic coast. The Marais Poitevin has been designated as a Ramsar site since 2023 for its wetland of international importance.
DISCOVER AN EXCEPTIONAL NATURE IN THE MARAIS POITEVIN!
Man has always known how to take advantage of this ecological richness and has landscaped the Marais poitevin in two distinct parts. On one side, you have the dry marsh, exploited by Man for agriculture because the soil of the Marais poitevin is very fertile, thanks to the proximity of the ocean. On the other side, you have the wet marsh, subject to floods, also known as the Green Venice. A true have, you can discover it floating on the numerous canals bordering the villages of the Marais poitevin.
DISCOVER THE HISTORY OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN ALONG THE WATERFRONT
22 May 2024
Editions filled with plenty of ideas to create a tailor-made stay!! Documents to download: Download the map of the Marais Poitevin Find all the tourist activities available in the Marais Poitevin: boat rides, canoeing, sightseeing spots, bike rentals, bird-watching locations, seaside activities… Download the magazine Inspirations Along the Water… A […]
28 April 2024
The Marais poitevin, a highly appreciated tourist destination The Marais poitevin Regional Nature Park is a tourist destination in its own right. Every year, 1,400,000 visitors come to explore this region that’s one of a kind: largest wetland on the Atlantic coast, 8,200km of waterways, 1,000km of dykes, 594 hydraulic structures, 330 bird species, 750 […]
14 January 2026
The Marais Poitevin, Nature’s Treasures The Marais Poitevin, designated as a Regional Natural Park, a Grand Site of France, and a Ramsar site for its significant wetland area, is an exceptional region where water shapes both the landscapes and biodiversity. Wet meadows, canals, reed beds, as well as beaches and dunes of the coastline, limestone […]
20 July 2025
Cycle along the quiet paths and enjoy the peace-and-quiet of the wild environment as you cross through the villages of the marshland. The diverse landscapes make this the perfect place for fishing, an activity that is very easy to try here. From abbeys to museums, dive head first into the history of the Marais poitevin […]
23 May 2025
The boat, an integral part of the Marais poitevin’s heritage Historically, the wet marsh had been accessible only by boat. Up to the 1960s, it was the only means of transport that inhabitants of the marshes had in order to move. Nowadays, renting a traditional boat has become the preferred means of navigating the 320 […]
© 2026 - Parc naturel régional Marais poitevin
