Marais d'Olonne, Protected coastal marshland in L'Île-d'Olonne, France.
The Marais d'Olonne is a wetland covering around 115 hectares with mudflats, shallow lagoons dotted with small islands, and salt meadows spread across the landscape. These varied habitats create a mosaic of different environments where water, vegetation, and open areas meet and shift with the seasons.
The Conservatoire du Littoral, a conservation group, took ownership of the site in 2003 to protect it as coastal land. Two large marsh areas within it were officially recognized as a hunting and wildlife reserve a decade later.
The marshes have long been intertwined with local salt production, a practice that shaped the land and remains visible in how the wetlands are organized today. This heritage of working the water has left its mark on the site's structure and character.
The site is open year-round and managed by the local commune working together with the Vendée department council. Wear sturdy shoes and water-resistant clothing since paths can be wet and uneven, especially in wetter months.
Two large marsh areas that together span about 86 hectares form the core of the property and display the most complete version of the natural coastal landscape. These twin marshes offer visitors the chance to see how the entire wetland system functioned historically.
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