Boat trip in the marsh in Vendée

Vendée is a land of sports and adventure. There's the ocean, of course, but also the marsh. In the south of the department, the Marais Poitevin is a Green Venice, a veritable cathedral of vegetation and nature that transports you through unique and wild landscapes. A real little Amazon, a total change of scenery. In the north of the department, the Marais Breton Vendéen (Le Marô, which is actually 90% in the Vendée department) also promises interesting river adventures. Travel the canals in a boat, the famous " plate " or the " yole " which is moved forward by poking the canal floor with a "pigouille" or a "ningue". Choose a region, a pier and off you go!

Photos © Vendée Guide unless otherwise stated

Guided tour of the Marais Poitevin or boat rental?

The boat guides will accompany you on a river trip that is as unusual as it is educational. The guardians of this natural temple will tell you about the fauna, flora and history of the Marshes. It is fascinating and will take you back to the beginnings of human know-how in land and water management. A true standard-bearer of green tourism, the Marais Poitevin is a pure marvel to discover with family or friends during your stay in Vendée. Note that most of the piers are open from Easter to All Saints' Day (roughly April to November) and it is strongly recommended to book in advance of your visit.

You can therefore take a walk accompanied by a boatman , but also rent a boat independently. A map will be provided with the possible navigation circuits on the " conches " or " étiers " (the canals). Don't worry, there is no danger and no rapids, it's a peaceful walk!

In spring and autumn, the lower light is very pretty on the Marshes, and reveals enchanting perspectives, which reveal the vegetation, the eddies on the shore and the surface of the water. In the heart of summer, the Marshes are a haven of freshness. Contrary to popular belief, there are no mosquitoes, as the boatmen explain to you, thanks to the presence of natural predators in water that seems stagnant, but is nevertheless always in motion. Frogs are the protectors of your skin, as are dragonflies which love mosquitoes. The fauna and flora are jewels to observe in the Marais Poitevins in Vendée where the calm, silence and tranquility that emanate are conducive to bird watching. Open your eyes wide!

Saint-Sigismond where the canals are wide

The Dry Marsh and the Wet Marsh

The Marais Poitevin has 2 types of landscapes and environments: the dried-up marsh and the wet marsh. The dried-up marshes exist because the wet marshes absorb excess water, which allows certain lands to remain dry! They are also called Polders, or Mattes, depending on the region. The wet marsh is the best known since it allows boat trips in the heart of the Green Venice for a unique escape in the heart of nature. A unique site in the world, the Marais Poitevin is a real labyrinth of canals lined with rows of trees that have been developed over time. In winter, these dug furrows have the advantage of absorbing excess water in the event of heavy rain to avoid flooding as much as possible. The Marais Poitevin is rich in history since in the past, market gardeners lived mainly from agriculture and cattle breeding, the products of which were sold on the market. Cabbage, lettuce, carrots, leeks and onions were the neighbors of dairy and beef cows. Dependent on flooding for crops, the latter constituted an interesting contribution for the fertilization of the soil thanks to water rich in nutrients.

Where to go boating in Vendée?

There are many options for exploring the Marais Poitevin in the south of the department. In the southeast, you'll find the most characteristic landscapes, with the protective and lush green tunnels! Check out the Marais Poitevin Tourist Map with the list of piers represented by pictograms. Here is a non-exhaustive list of places to go boating. Note that you can rent a boat or embark on a boat with a guide, but you can also go canoeing (more agile than boats for moving on narrow canals). Some piers also rent Stand Up Paddleboards, a fun way to discover the marshes from a different perspective (as you are standing up).

• Green Venice pier at Mazeau;
• Mallezais pier, which is also a place classified as a Grand Site de France;
• Pier at Saint-Sigismond;
• The Gué-de-Velluire pier;
• Damvix pier;
• Pier at Mareuil-sur-Lay-Dissais.
  

Some piers are labeled tourism and handicap, which means they are easily accessible. This is also something to consider for families with young children.

Boat trips are perfect for discovering local wildlife such as herons, swans, sometimes roe deer, frogs, water lilies, coypu, dragonflies, otters, European mink, a whole host of amphibians and reptiles... Consult the page on the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park: 70 Species of Birds in the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park.

Mareuil-sur-Lay-Dissais pier

Mazeau pier

In terms of vegetation, you'll see numerous poplars, water lilies, duckweed, and the famous pollarded ash tree! It's a feast for the eyes !

The Marais Breton Vendéen is also a 100% nature destination where respect for the fauna and flora is very important. Spread over two departments between Vendée and Loire-Atlantique, it is 90% Vendée, made up of meadows, salt marshes, fresh marshes, reed beds, polders, canals and villages. Naturally alive, the Marais Breton Vendéen offers you a unique experience through immense landscapes of great beauty. You can discover them on foot on hiking trails, but also by bike or on horseback on developed and marked routes. Birds love these wide open spaces and take advantage of spring for intense nesting. In autumn, it is the geese, white egrets and avocets who take up residence in the Bay of Bourgneuf where you can observe them. Sallertaine, Le Perrier, Notre-Dame-de-Monts, La Barre-de-Monts or Machecoul, visit Vendée and take the opportunity to stop at a pier for a trip in a traditional boat "la yole" or canoe. Alone or accompanied, you will love diving into the heart of unspoiled nature. In Sallertaine, we can only advise you to book a guided canoe trip on the Route du Sel for a fun and unusual day.

The Marshes at Sallertaine, in the Marais Breton Vendée, the Marô

We wish you a wonderful holiday on the canals of the Vendée Marshes!

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