The flora, fauna and landscape of the Marais Poitevin is carefully protected and supervised to maintain the delicate balance of nature. Without this human intervention, the smaller waterways would quickly become clogged up, causing adjacent pastures to join together into larger fields. So every year, more trees are planted andprotected, meadows restored and waterways cleared by the expert staff of the Inter-Regional Nature Park. Small wooden bridges have been installed to facilitate the movement of cattle too, although you may still be lucky enough to see animals being ferried to their pastures by cattle boat.

Every winter, the Marais Mouillé becomes saturated for anything from a few days to several weeks as seasonal rains flood the landscape and transform Green Venice into the “Marais Blanc” or White Marsh. To the local boatman, this wide, watery wilderness is a very special place, a welcome opportunity to enjoy a different perspective on the usual patchwork of pastures and canals. As well as explaining the history and formation of the Marais, the four Maisons du Parc help visitors understand the importance of looking after it – not just for the people who live there and those who visit, but also for the abundant wildlife that uses the marshland as a permanent or temporary home.

Keep your eyes and ears open in the Marais Mouillé for instance and you may spot deer hiding in the vegetation or hear the piercing cry of a kingfisher. Take your binoculars to the coast and you can see different species throughout the year in the habitats bordering the Baie de l’Aiguillon. Magical moments for any nature lover.