Poitevin Marsh, the second largest wetland in France and Great Site of France
The Poitevin Marsh is a vast wetland, a remnant of the Gulf of Poitou, an ancient limestone plateau dating back to the Jurassic period.
The retreat of the sea during the Würm glaciation marked the beginning of a transformation of the Marais Poitevin. Indeed, rivers and rain gradually eroded the limestone plateau, leaving only resistant rocks form a series of islets. These islets served as the foundation for villages and abbeys such as Mazillais, Saint-Michel-in-Herm, and Marans. Extending from the Bay of Aiguillon on the Atlantic coast to Niort in the east and Fontenay-le-Comte in the north, the Poitevin Marsh offers a vast expanse of wetlands.
Over the centuries, the inhabitants of the marsh, known as maraîchins, tirelessly drained and reshaped the landscape, dividing it into two distinct zones: the dry marsh and the wetland. Thus, the Poitevin Marsh was designated a Grand Site de France in 2010, becoming the seventh major natural site and the second largest wetland in France, after the Camargue. Spanning 112,000 hectares across three departments, Vendée in Pays de la Loire region and Deux Sèvres and Charente Maritime in Nouvelle Aquitaine region, it is also classified as a Regional Nature Park for its ecological diversity.
Dry marsh and Wetland, known as Green Venice
The drained marshland covers two-thirds of the Poitevin Marsh and stretches from the Bay of Aiguillon to Marans.
The landscape is dotted with numerous rocky islets, remnants of the marsh’s geological past.
In the 13th century, monks and villagers undertook the ambitious project of draining the marsh to make it suitable for agriculture and livestock farming.
Thus, they meticulously constructed a vast network of straight canals, called “conques,” to demarcate their plots of land.
They also built reservoirs, sluice gates, and locks to regulate the water level and facilitate irrigation.
The remaining third of the Poitevin Marsh constitutes the wetland, which experiences seasonal flooding during the winter.
In the 19th century, further human interventions reshaped this wetland landscape.
The inhabitants indeed dug hundreds of kilometres of canals to facilitate the transport of their agricultural products to various markets and establish communication links with the outside world.
They transformed their plots of land into orchards, meadows, and fields for growing vegetables, and combated soil erosion by wisely planting poplars and ash trees along the waterways.
The best way to discover the Poitevin Marsh?
The best way to discover the wild beauty of the Poitevin Marsh is by boat. Glide silently across its tranquil waters, in the shade of a lush canopy that has earned it the nickname Petite Venise Verte – Little Green Venice. With 28 boat landings spread throughout the region, 10 in Vendée, 13 in Deux-Sèvres, and 5 in Charente-Maritime, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to your boating adventure.
You can rent a boat and explore on your own, or opt for a guided tour with an experienced boatman who will reveal the rich flora and fauna of the marsh.
To better understand the history and ecological importance of the marsh, visit the Maison du Marais Poitevin (Poitevin Marsh House) in Coulon. There, you’ll discover how humans have shaped the marsh over the centuries.
If waterways aren’t your preferred way to explore, no worries! You can explore the marsh by horse-drawn carriage or by taking advantage of its many hiking and cycling trails.
Nature lovers will be delighted to visit the Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud bird park, where they can observe the diverse wildlife of the marsh. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic kingfisher, the charming Marrans chicken, and if you’re an early riser, you might even spot the elusive nutria (coypu).
However, the true emblem of the marsh is the dragonfly, delicate and graceful, which lands elegantly on the surface of the water.
Angelica, the emblematic flower of the Poitevin Marsh
The flora of the Poitevin Marsh is diverse and abundant, but one plant stands out as the undisputed star: angelica (Angelica archangelica).
Since antiquity, angelica has been revered for its medicinal properties. It was indeed used as a remedy against the plague, and witches added it to their magic potions!
Today, we still utilise its medicinal benefits, particularly for aiding digestion, disinfecting, and soothing the nervous system.
Angelica also lends its unique flavour to confectionery and liqueur production.
Finding the optimal conditions of the Poitevin Marsh, angelica has become the emblematic flower of the region.
It is characterised by its thick, hollow, and grooved stems, which can reach 1.70 metres in height, as well as by its unique fragrance.
Niort earned the title of “Angelica Capital” thanks to the local nuns who pioneered its use in confectionery and liqueur production in the 18th century.
This spurred the city’s commercial development, further boosted by the patronage of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, who developed a passion for candied angelica sticks during his visit in 1852.
Since then, Angelica has been an integral part of the heritage of the Poitevin Marsh.
The commune of Prin-Deyrançon is particularly renowned for its angelica plantations, where the plant is primarily cultivated for the production of candied angelica sticks, jams, sweets, and liqueurs.
Coordinates Coulon: Lat 46.362703 – Long -0.579729
The short video below will give you an overview of a boat trip from Coulon
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Nutria by Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert CC BY-SA 4.0 – Angelica Archangelica by Ryan Hodnett CC BY-SA 4.0
