The region
Exploring the Marais Poitevin (Poitevin Marsh)...
Following the stream...
Marais Poitevin (Poitevin Marsh) is primarily a wetland with canals, dykes and rivers crossing the region. Find out interesting stories about the region by visiting the Maison des Marais Mouilles in Coulon and participating in activities organised by local actors or by taking a guided river barge tour by day or night (there are 400km of navigable rivers in the marshland). To explore the wildest areas of the marshland you will have no choice but to try your hand at canoeing !
Marais Poitevin is a diverse landscape of fens and meadows that join the Atlantic at la Baie de l’Aiguillon (Aiguillon Bay).
Inland water shipping and its history
Until the 60's the marshland was only accessible by barges. Different sized barges were capable of transporting merchandise, people or maraîchines cows (a regional cow breed).
Wildlife and plant life
Take the opportunity to see nature up close in all its glory. Numerous plant and animal species are found living in the marshland including herons, otters, harriers, owls...
Bird and animal lovers can follow their passion at various places in the area including the bird park near to the campsite, at Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou where the protected Poitou donkey is looked after, the European Zoorama, the very beautiful Chize forest, the bird reserve on the Ile de Ré, the superb aquarium at la Rochelle or even at the must see Palmyre zoo on the wild Royannaise coast, the natural reserve of la Baie de l’Aiguillon (Aiguillon bay).
Allow yourself to be charmed by the small ports, wash houses, locks and alleys that lead down to the canals that you will find in many villages of the area from Coulon, ranked as one of the most beautiful French villages, to Arcais, la Garette, St Georges and more …. Discover the secrets and history of the locals of this area made habitable by man for man.
Niort (dungeon, halls, town centre) and the Sud Vendée abbeys (Maillezais and Nueil sur l'Autize) are situated very close by. Not much further away you will find Poitiers, Saintes (roman art), La Rochelle (port, museums..) and Rochefort (Corderie Royale museum, Hermione's boatyard : accurate reproduction of the frigate in which Lafayette set sail in 1780) Royan, the fortified city of Brouage (built by Vauban) and the medieval town of Partheney. Discover the history of all these towns which is also your history.
And finally the town where Le Lidon campsite is located : Saint-Hilaire-La-Palud
Coulon - Quai Tardy
Maraîchines flavours...
The emblematic plant of Marias Poitevin (Poitevin marsh) has a strong aroma and stimulating properties. It is used in local dishes and also confectionaries and liquor.
You can also treat yourself to mogettes (local variety of green bean), maraichin or poitevin farci, (local type of farci) lumas (snails) eel fricassee, frogs legs and goats cheese.
By travelling a bit further you can try oysters and mussels from Aiguillon bay, discover Cognac cellars and Pineau from Charentes. All to be consumed in moderation of course !
Between history, future and fantasy...
Take a day trip to :
- Futoroscope at Poitiers (photo opposite) : Dive into 3D and explore new worlds, meet the dog from the future and dance rock and roll with a giant robot !
- Puy du Fou park in the Vendee where you will embark on a voyage through history. Watch exciting shows and relive the eras of Roman gladiators, the Vikings, knights and musketeers. Make sure to reserve your places in advance for the highly popular sound and light shows.
- The Nombril du monde (the navel of the world) at Pougne Herisson, is a garden of stories, myths and fairytales, for the great pleasure of both young and old. A must see.
