Marais Poitevin: let time take its course
In the south of the Vendée, straddling three departments, an island of calm awaits you: the Marais Poitevin. Make the most of your holidays to discover this corner of paradise, where the only sound is that of the water gliding along the hull or the only sight is that of ancient stones steeped in history.
The Marais Poitevin covers more than 110,000 hectares. It is largely artificial and is the result of work dating back to the Middle Ages. It is divided into three areas, including the wet marsh known as the ‘Green Venice’. To discover this very special environment criss-crossed with canals, you can hire a flat-bottomed boat, get a map and set off on your own. The other solution, which we recommend, is to go to one of the landing stages that dot the marsh (Damvix, Maillezais, Velluire, Saint-Sigismond, le Mazeau, Coulon, Maillé, etc.). Whether alone or with others, you can set off for one or two hours of total happiness and a feast for the eyes. Many of the boatmen, in addition to knowing the Marais perfectly, are also fabulous storytellers. While taking you to the rhythm of the water, they will tell you about history but also and above all... the stories of the Marais.
Water and nature blend with the sky
Whichever option you choose, the magic will happen once you're on board. Once you have left the landing stage behind you, you will have the feeling that someone has... switched off the outside world. Imagine an hour spent in the cool, an hour during which you will sometimes find it difficult to tell the difference between the water and what grows above it, an hour punctuated by encounters with the inhabitants of the marsh, herons and other coypus. Sometimes, coming out of a bend, you will pass under magnificent ruins such as those of Maillezais Abbey. With a bit of luck, your guide will tell you about Rabelais, the builder-monks and the Chouans. When you rest your foot on the bank, you will feel completely refreshed.
The marshes as a starting point
The magic of the Marais Poitevin also lies in the richness of its environment. Your holidays in the region can also be an opportunity to discover a fabulous natural heritage, of course, but also cultural, historical or architectural heritage, knowing that the two often blend together. The list sometimes resembles an inventory à la Prévert. Go for a walk in the Forest of Mervent and take the opportunity to visit the medieval town of Vouvant, which over the years has become a village of artists, specifically painters. Lovers of old stones, take half a day to visit the Royal Abbey of Nieul sur l'Autise, either alone or with a guide. Once you have disembarked from the boat, spend a few hours in the ruins of Maillezais Abbey, which you will have seen ‘from below’ during your trip on the water. Stop for a snack or a plate of frogs' legs or eels in Coulon, considered the capital of the Green Venice.
In conclusion, spending a holiday in the Marais Poitevin is, during one or more boat trips, an opportunity to switch off and take things as they come.
