Marais Poitevin, Natural swamp region between Atlantic coast and Niort, France
The Marais Poitevin extends over 970 square kilometers of marshland, featuring networks of canals lined with ash trees and expansive water meadows.
During the 12th century, monastic communities initiated the drainage of these wetlands by building channels and ditches to transform the area into agricultural land.
Local farmers, known as maraîchins, maintain traditional practices of angelica cultivation and sustainable agriculture within the designated dry marsh sections.
Visitors can rent traditional flat-bottomed boats at multiple piers to navigate through 350 kilometers of marked waterways within the green marsh area.
The region contains 8,000 kilometers of waterways protected by an intricate system of dikes and floodgates that regulate water levels throughout the seasons.
Location: Vendée
Location: Deux-Sèvres
Location: Charente-Maritime
Website: http://marais-poitevin.com
GPS coordinates: 46.33333,-0.66667
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:36
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France contains protected areas with diverse landscapes and ecosystems. The national parks include alpine regions with peaks exceeding 3000 meters, glaciers and mountain lakes, Mediterranean coastlines with limestone cliffs and marine reserves, and island zones with underwater trails. Regional nature parks feature volcanic areas with 80 extinct volcanoes, extensive wetlands with thousands of ponds hosting over 200 bird species, moorland landscapes in the Ardennes, and coastal zones with lagoons and salt marshes. These protected areas shelter ibex, chamois, marmots, lynx and birds of prey. Visitors find marked hiking trails, historic villages and traditional farming operations.
French national parks feature natural landscapes with mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests. The parks are home to diverse wildlife and plant species. Visitors can hike, watch birds and explore nature. The parks extend from the Alps to the Mediterranean coast.
Maillezais Cathedral
7.6 km
Abbaye Saint-Vincent de Nieul-sur-l'Autise
9.9 km
Maison du Marais poitevin
6.3 km
Enceinte préhistorique de Champ Durand
9.1 km
Les Oiseaux du Marais Poitevin
7.8 km
Église Sainte-Eulalie de Benet
6.4 km
Église Saint-Nicolas de Maillezais
7 km
Croix hosannière de Maillezais
6.8 km
Camping relay fisherman
713 m
Embarcadère de l'Autize
2.8 km
Parc Du coq à l'âne
6.3 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Maillé
9.5 km
Église Saint-Guy de Damvix
5.5 km
Église Saint-Germain de Magné
9.7 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Liez
4.9 km
Église de la Sainte-Trinité de Coulon
6.3 km
Église Saint-Vincent de Sansais
9.1 km
Église Saint-Roch de Chalais
9.8 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption d'Oulmes
7.2 km
Église Saint-Cyr d'Arçais
4.5 km
Église Saint-Hilaire de Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud
8.6 km
La Trigale
6.4 km
Église Saint-Eutrope du Vanneau-Irleau
4.8 km
Église Saint-Pierre de Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux
8.8 km
Église de l'Immaculée-Conception du Mazeau
858 m
Église Saint-Sigismond de Saint-Sigismond
2.7 km
Chapelle Sainte-Macrine de Magné
9.1 km
Petit train touristique
6.3 kmReviews
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