{"id":37505,"date":"2025-05-16T16:44:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T14:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/marais-poitevin-a-birds-eye-view-of-southern-vendee\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:36:16","slug":"marais-poitevin-a-birds-eye-view-of-southern-vendee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/france\/vendee\/marais-poitevin-a-birds-eye-view-of-southern-vendee\/","title":{"rendered":"Marais Poitevin: A Bird&#8217;s-Eye View of Southern Vend\u00e9e"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marais Poitevin, a nature reserve for birdwatchers on the Vend\u00e9e coast<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Marais Poitevin, France\u2019s second-largest marshland, lies roughly between the well-known port city of La Rochelle and Brittany. I\u2019m here in the southern part of the Vend\u00e9e department. Read my tips on my 4-day trip through the Marais Poitevin.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Marais Poitevin, natuur in Vendee du Sud   Nature Travel Lab #maraispoitevin #vend\u00e9e\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6fSdrIxIh8g?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This name may not be very well known among the Dutch, but that certainly isn\u2019t the case for birds. The area is a vital stopover for migratory birds and an important breeding ground. Birdwatchers can therefore check off quite a few species from their list here. And outdoor enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy. In short, it\u2019s a fantastic <em>slow tourism<\/em> destination.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"956\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"20709\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gids-Louise-spot-een-blauwborst-in-de-baai-van-Aiguillon.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20709\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gids-Louise-spot-een-blauwborst-in-de-baai-van-Aiguillon.jpg 956w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gids-Louise-spot-een-blauwborst-in-de-baai-van-Aiguillon-480x482.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 956px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"20698\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Baai-van-Aiguillon-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Marais Poitevin - Aiguillon Bay\" class=\"wp-image-20698\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Baai-van-Aiguillon-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Baai-van-Aiguillon-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Baai-van-Aiguillon-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About 900 kilometers from Amsterdam, you find yourself at the gateway to the marshlands\u2014in a completely different world, and yet not quite, because it also has a Dutch feel to it. So let\u2019s start with a brief look at the history of the Poitevin Marshes.   <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dutch Belt<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the<sup>11th<\/sup> century, monks began reclaiming the marshes of Poitou to protect the land from the sea and to make agriculture possible. During the Hundred Years\u2019 War and the subsequent war between Protestants and Catholics, the monks\u2019 hard work was nearly destroyed. In the<sup>16th<\/sup> century, the French court enlisted the help of the Dutch to drain the polder. One of the canals is aptly named <em>the Ceinture des Hollandais<\/em>. One difference from the Netherlands, however, is that you don\u2019t see any windmills here. The French opted for a system of small locks.     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The area, which covers more than 100,000 hectares (almost as large as the province of Utrecht), consists of three parts:<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <em>Baie de l\u2019Aguillon<\/em>: On the Atlantic coast, the former <em>Golfe des Pictons<\/em> (named after the Picts, who originally lived in Scotland) was dotted with small islands. Today, at high tide <em>,<\/em> the coastal area <em>\u2014<\/em> the <em>Baie de l\u2019Aguillon\u2014<\/em> is almost entirely submerged. The salt marshes and mudflats are therefore teeming with life; a veritable smorgasbord for birds.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <em>Marais Dess\u00e9ch\u00e9<\/em> is the dry section: this part of the marsh resembles a prairie in places, and a few minutes later it becomes a rural area with lots of grasslands, cows, and few forests. It\u2019s ideal for a bike ride. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <em>Marais Mouill\u00e9s<\/em> is the third section. It\u2019s also known as the \u201cwet\u201d marsh. This section is often called <em>the \u201cGreen Venice\u201d<\/em> because of its maze of small canals where flat-bottomed boats with gondoliers sail in the summer. This section is located furthest inland, near the city of Niort. And don\u2019t worry\u2014you won\u2019t get bitten by mosquitoes. I\u2019ve been told this is due to the large number of dragonflies, but it surely also has to do with the fact that there\u2019s hardly any standing water.     <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"20750\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/stern-7580156_1920-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Caspian tern\" class=\"wp-image-20750\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/stern-7580156_1920-1-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/stern-7580156_1920-1-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20700\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Een-beverrat-schuilt-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20700\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Een-beverrat-schuilt-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Een-beverrat-schuilt-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 1: Birdwatching by the Sea<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My first base in the southern Vend\u00e9e is the seaside town of l\u2019Aiguillon-sur-Mer. My bed-and-breakfast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lysblanc.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Le Lys Blanc<\/a>, is just a stone\u2019s throw from the beach. Le Lys Blanc, run by Laurent, a Frenchman, and his German wife M\u00e9lanie, has five rooms. My room, with its French doors, overlooks a lovely garden. It\u2019s convenient that you can also store your bike here.    <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Michel Brosselin Nature Reserve<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have a birding excursion planned. Our guide, Katja, takes us to a bird-watching hut in the Michel Brosselin Nature Reserve. We walk along a long wooden boardwalk to an observatory equipped with telescopes and bird guides. Here, you can watch all the birds at your leisure. Katja has already spotted a Caspian tern, even before I\u2019ve barely finished focusing my telescope. She turns her telescope toward me, and all I can make out is a long orange-red beak and a beautiful white-and-black head. According to Katja, Caspian terns aren\u2019t often seen in France.      <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I can\u2019t take my eyes off it. I see spoonbills flying overhead; further away, there are shelducks. The males have a knob on their heads and a bright red beak. Size-wise, they\u2019re somewhere between a duck and a goose. Next, a small flock of skylarks flies overhead, calling out loudly. We also spot a coypu with shiny fur, sitting contentedly in the grass in the sunshine next to a few ducks, munching on aquatic and riparian plants. In French, coypus are called <em>\u201cragondins.\u201d That <\/em>sounds a lot cuter than the Dutch word.      <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A small group of sacred ibises wades through the water. Less than a minute later, we spot black-tailed godwits standing on their characteristic long legs. It really is a bird paradise here. The guide looks proud as she uses a marker to add to the whiteboard listing the birds spotted that day. At the end of the afternoon, we head off to the next birding mecca, about a twenty-minute drive from the nature reserve.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"20748\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shelduck-7899719_1920.jpg\" alt=\"mountain duck\" class=\"wp-image-20748\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shelduck-7899719_1920.jpg 960w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shelduck-7899719_1920-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 960px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" data-id=\"20747\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bluethroat-5270244_1920.jpg\" alt=\"blue-throated warbler\" class=\"wp-image-20747\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bluethroat-5270244_1920.jpg 960w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bluethroat-5270244_1920-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 960px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>400,000 migratory birds at Pointe de l&#8217;Aiguillon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Louise, a guide and bird expert with the French Bird Protection Society, is waiting for us at <em>Pointe de l\u2019Aiguillon with <\/em>a huge telescope. There are quite a few people there with binoculars. Apparently, this is the place to be if you want to see rare birds.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Louise knows an incredible amount about birds, and in no time at all she spots a bluethroat. That\u2019s quite an achievement, because this little bird usually hides among the bushes. You definitely hear it more often than you see it. Breathless, I peer through my binoculars. Its beautiful bright blue, orange, and brown colors shimmer in the sun.      <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the dunes, we also spotted a linnet, also known as a flax finch. It\u2019s a small bird, smaller than a house sparrow, with a soft red head and a proud red breast. What a beauty it is. We slowly walked on toward the sea. Louise tells us that more than 400,000 migratory birds are spotted here in France every year.    <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exceptional biodiversity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the breeding season, parts of the beach are cordoned off. During this time, sand plovers lay their eggs in the sand among the shells, and you can hardly see them because of their amazing camouflage. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Louise and her colleagues also devote a lot of time to educating tourists. Aiguillon Bay boasts exceptional biodiversity, but unfortunately it is also under significant pressure from human activities, such as shipping, agriculture, shellfish farming, and tourism. They are participating in various projects aimed not only at restoring this important coastal area for birds but also at protecting it effectively.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20696\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Algemeen-beeld-Marais-Poitevin-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Marais Poitevin - Nature Park Sign\" class=\"wp-image-20696\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Algemeen-beeld-Marais-Poitevin-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Algemeen-beeld-Marais-Poitevin-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"794\" data-id=\"20753\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1007-1024x794.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20753\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1007-1024x794.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1007-980x760.jpeg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1007-480x372.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 2: Cycling Tour of the Vend\u00e9e Peninsula<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next morning, the Vend\u00e9e du Sud tourist office in La Faute-sur-Mer is the starting point for a roughly thirteen-kilometer loop around the peninsula. We\u2019ll also ride a short stretch of the V\u00e9lodyss\u00e9e long-distance bike route, which runs from northern Brittany, along the Vend\u00e9e coastline, all the way to the Spanish border. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re taking a sort of tidal tour. That morning, it\u2019s low tide, and the boats are lying on their sides on the riverbed. The bike path takes us along the Lay River for a while. Halfway through the trip, we see the island of \u00cele de R\u00e9 in the distance. The landscapes vary, from wooded areas to sandy beaches, salt marshes, and river landscapes.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"20718\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Oesters-proeven-in-lAiguillon-sur-mer-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Oyster Tasting in L&#039;Aiguillon-sur-Mer\" class=\"wp-image-20718\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Oesters-proeven-in-lAiguillon-sur-mer-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Oesters-proeven-in-lAiguillon-sur-mer-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Oesters-proeven-in-lAiguillon-sur-mer-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"989\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"20701\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eigenaresse-Eva-Charneau-laat-ons-oesters-proeven-in-la-Faute-sur-mer.jpg\" alt=\"Owner Eva Charneau lets us taste some oysters in La Faute-sur-Mer\" class=\"wp-image-20701\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eigenaresse-Eva-Charneau-laat-ons-oesters-proeven-in-la-Faute-sur-mer.jpg 989w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eigenaresse-Eva-Charneau-laat-ons-oesters-proeven-in-la-Faute-sur-mer-980x951.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eigenaresse-Eva-Charneau-laat-ons-oesters-proeven-in-la-Faute-sur-mer-480x466.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 989px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Oysters at Les Amourettes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ll make a stop at the <em>Rade d\u2019Amour, a <\/em>protected area with rich biodiversity. From a lookout point, you can see the mouth of the Lay River. Oysters are also farmed in this area. At low tide, the area is teeming with birds foraging for food in the mud.     <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re here, you simply have to try some oysters. We\u2019ll do that at Eva Charneau\u2019s, who runs the Les Amourettes oyster farm in La Faute-sur-Mer with her husband and sons. At a real (raised) oyster bar overlooking the Lay, she shucks the oysters with incredible ease. She talks so enthusiastically and passionately about her \u201cbabies\u201d\u2014the little oysters\u2014that I almost want to train to become an oyster farmer myself. After tasting three oysters and wishing Eva a great oyster season, we hop back on our bikes.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We pass through the <em>La Belle Henriette<\/em> National Nature Reserve, one of the last true lagoons on the Atlantic coast. The sand here is a beautiful golden yellow. La Belle Henriette is constantly changing with the tides. You can also go for walks here on specially constructed trails.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just before we get back to l\u2019Aiguillon-sur-Mer, I suddenly spot a hoopoe sitting on the road. What a treat\u2014I\u2019ve never seen this beautiful pinkish-brown bird, with its lovely large crest and long beak, this close up before. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"20703\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20703\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-2-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-2-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"20705\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20705\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-4-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-4-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"646\" data-id=\"20702\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-1-1024x646.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20702\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-1-980x618.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Fontenay-le-Comte-1-480x303.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Day 3<\/strong>: Soaking Up the Culture in Fontenay-le-Comte<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today it\u2019s time to soak up some culture. And fortunately, in France, that\u2019s never far away. We\u2019re taking a walk through the historic center of Fontenay-le-Comte, located on the Vend\u00e9e River, with historian and guide Pauline Retailleau.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Until the French Revolution, Fontenay was the capital of the region. Napoleon then chose La Roche-Sur-Yon as the capital because of its central location. In the higher part of Fontenay, Pauline points out some remnants of the city wall. Much was destroyed during the Wars of Religion. We walk uphill past a beautiful fountain made of yellow sandstone. This is the symbol of Fontenay. Here and there are half-timbered houses.        <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our guide, Pauline, really knows everything there is to know about the town\u2019s architecture, and I\u2019m hanging on her every word. I can see why she\u2019s in such high demand throughout the Vend\u00e9e for giving guided tours. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We quickly pop into the Church of Our Lady. Pauline has the key to the Romanesque crypt, which is over 1,000 years old. The simplicity of the small space leaves me speechless. It\u2019s truly special! Before we say goodbye, she quickly gives us a tip for next time: \u201cBe sure to visit Terre-Neuve Castle. It\u2019s a gem from the Renaissance period, where you can see, among other things, furniture from the famous Chambord Castle in the Loire Valley.\u201d    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20711\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kanaal-bij-Le-Mazeau-en-voormalig-jaagpad-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Canal near Le Mazeau and former towpath\" class=\"wp-image-20711\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kanaal-bij-Le-Mazeau-en-voormalig-jaagpad-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kanaal-bij-Le-Mazeau-en-voormalig-jaagpad-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"20708\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gids-en-gondelier-Matthieu-e1747404497759-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20708\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 4: The Marais Poitevin from the Water<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today I\u2019m exploring the <em>\u201cGreen Venice<\/em>.\u201d In the Marais Poitevin marshes, there are several places where you can board a boat (or a kayak or stand-up paddleboard) for a short trip. I choose the hamlet of Le Mazeau, where you\u2019ll find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.la-venise-verte.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Embarcad\u00e8re de la Venise Verte<\/a> boat rental in the little harbor.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, you can rent a boat on your own, but it\u2019s much more fun to book one with a guide. The guides know an incredible amount about the marsh and the animals that live there. I go early in the morning so I can have the marsh pretty much to myself. Next to the little canal we\u2019re sailing on runs an old towpath, where horses and even cows used to pull barges loaded with food.     <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These days, it\u2019s mainly a bike and hiking trail. My guide, Matthieu, knows exactly where animals like muskrats tend to hang out. We soon see one swimming across, and a minute later we spot a couple of young muskrats in the bushes that aren\u2019t really afraid of our boat. The water\u2019s edge is lined mainly with ash and willow trees.     <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also incredibly green here. I never knew there were so many shades of green. Then suddenly it looks like it\u2019s starting to rain, but our guide Matthieu reassures me: it looks like rain, but it\u2019s actually caused by insects\u2014the cicada nymphs hiding under the leaves are covered in a whitish foam. When that foam comes loose, it looks like falling raindrops.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nieuwsgierige-Limousin-koeien-langs-de-waterkant-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Curious Limousin cows along the water&#039;s edge\" class=\"wp-image-20717\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nieuwsgierige-Limousin-koeien-langs-de-waterkant-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Nieuwsgierige-Limousin-koeien-langs-de-waterkant-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bird Species in Green Venice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They row in traditional boats using a thick pole, called a \u201cvaarboom.\u201d It\u2019s actually just like what the gondoliers in Venice do. Suddenly, we hear the song of a Cetti\u2019s warbler. I\u2019d never heard of it before, but it\u2019s a small brown songbird. It\u2019s also being spotted more and more often in the Netherlands. We also hear the chiffchaff and a wren.       <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A little further along the water\u2019s edge, a small herd of beautiful light-brown Limousin cows is grazing. They look up curiously as we glide past through the water. I booked a 1.5-hour boat tour, but you can also choose a shorter or longer one.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"20697\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BB-La-Parenthese-in-Le-Mazeau-1024x750.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20697\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BB-La-Parenthese-in-Le-Mazeau-980x718.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BB-La-Parenthese-in-Le-Mazeau-480x352.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20711\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kanaal-bij-Le-Mazeau-en-voormalig-jaagpad-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Canal near Le Mazeau and former towpath\" class=\"wp-image-20711\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kanaal-bij-Le-Mazeau-en-voormalig-jaagpad-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Kanaal-bij-Le-Mazeau-en-voormalig-jaagpad-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exploring the Marais Poitevin wetlands on an e-scooter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After seeing the area from the water, I have an electric scooter ride planned for the afternoon. From Le Mazeau, it\u2019s a ten-minute ride to the charming market town of Maillezais, where I\u2019ve booked a room in the center with Fran\u00e7oise at her stately mansion, Le Parenth\u00e8se Entre Abbaye et Venise Verte. A house full of character with creaky wooden floors and a lush garden with a pool. This is a place where I\u2019d love to stay longer.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"20719\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Op-de-E-step-in-Marais-Poitevin-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"On an E-scooter in the Marais Poitevin 2\" class=\"wp-image-20719\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Op-de-E-step-in-Marais-Poitevin-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Op-de-E-step-in-Marais-Poitevin-2-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Op-de-E-step-in-Marais-Poitevin-2-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20713\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Le-Mazeau-opstapplek-voor-boottochtjes-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Le Mazeau: Boarding Point for Boat Tours\" class=\"wp-image-20713\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Le-Mazeau-opstapplek-voor-boottochtjes-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Le-Mazeau-opstapplek-voor-boottochtjes-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m driving to meet Jean-Luc Grospelier, the owner of Nomad\u2019Trott, who has mapped out a number of routes for the e-scooter. The scooter is suitable for the mountains and has thick tires. It\u2019s incredibly handy in the swamp.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His website says that \u201cthe natural route is reminiscent of the challenges of a Dakar Rally, but without the time pressure.\u201d I swallow a few times, but Jean-Luc reassures me. After a little dry run on the scooter, I put on gloves and a helmet. It\u2019s high time to venture off the beaten path. What an amazing experience! Sometimes the scooter slips a little when there are other deep ruts, but it\u2019s so much fun to explore the marsh this way.       <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"20716\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Maillezais-avondlicht-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Evening Light in Maillezais\" class=\"wp-image-20716\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Maillezais-avondlicht-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Maillezais-avondlicht-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Maillezais-avondlicht-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20714\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Lunch-met-lokale-lekkernijen-zoals-prefou-knoflookbrood-en-kaasjes-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Lunch featuring local delicacies such as pr&#xE9;fou, garlic bread, and cheeses\" class=\"wp-image-20714\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Lunch-met-lokale-lekkernijen-zoals-prefou-knoflookbrood-en-kaasjes-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Lunch-met-lokale-lekkernijen-zoals-prefou-knoflookbrood-en-kaasjes-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"20693\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Abdij-van-Maizellais-2-3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Maizellais Abbey\" class=\"wp-image-20693\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Abdij-van-Maizellais-2-3-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Abdij-van-Maizellais-2-3-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The landscape is also very varied. After about an hour and a half, we zip past the <a href=\"https:\/\/nossites.vendee.fr\/abbaye-de-maillezais\/histoire-de-labbaye\/labbaye-millenaire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maillezais Abbey<\/a> on our scooter. This Benedictine abbey was founded around the year 1,000 on a small island in the marsh. Monks dug the canals to drain the Gulf of the Pictons. Before I leave, I\u2019ll definitely take some time to explore the impressive ruins of the abbey church, the monastic buildings, and the salt cellars on this enormous complex.      <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/achille_lacreperiedumarais?igsh=MWUycjgxc2JwenhhZA==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">, take a breather on the terrace at Achille\u2019s, La Cr\u00eaperie du Marais<\/a>, where you have a fantastic view of the abbey. I stayed here until sunset, enjoying a savory cr\u00eape and a glass of ros\u00e9 from the Vend\u00e9e. This is slow tourism as it\u2019s meant to be.  <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Tips for the Marais Poitevin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>900 kilometers from Amsterdam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where to Stay in L\u2019Aiguillon-sur-Mer: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lysblanc.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.lysblanc.fr\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Le Lys Blanc<\/a> Bed and Breakfast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where to Stay in Le Maillezes: <a href=\"https:\/\/chambresdhotes-laparenthese.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/chambresdhotes-laparenthese.fr\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Le Parenth\u00e8se Between the Abbey and Venise Verte<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vogelen: Michelin Brochellin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nl.francevelotourisme.com\/fietsroute\/la-velodyssee\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nl.francevelotourisme.com\/fietsroute\/la-velodyssee\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">La Velodyssee<\/a> Bicycle Route<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>E-scooters: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nomad-trott.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nomad-trott.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nomad&#8217;Trott<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pauline.retailleau?igsh=ZzA5dW5kNHFuMXp1\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pauline.retailleau?igsh=ZzA5dW5kNHFuMXp1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guide Pauline<\/a> in the Vend\u00e9e and Fontenay-le-Comte<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vendeedusud.com\/restaurants\/bar-a-huitres-les-amourettes\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.vendeedusud.com\/restaurants\/bar-a-huitres-les-amourettes\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Les Amourettes  Oyster Farm  <\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/category\/france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check out our other tips for nature trips to France here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marais Poitevin on the map<\/h2>\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1GYfOkIhyJOj5GXIWW_YuZkfTjwO_Sws&#038;ehbc=2E312F&#038;noprof=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marais Poitevin, a nature reserve for birdwatchers on the Vend\u00e9e coast The Marais Poitevin, France\u2019s second-largest marshland, lies roughly between the well-known port city of La Rochelle and Brittany. I\u2019m here in the southern part of the Vend\u00e9e department. Read my tips on my 4-day trip through the Marais Poitevin. This name may not be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":37507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[320,255,213],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vendee","category-france","category-green-travel-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37505"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37505\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}