A bucolic getaway in the heart of Green Venice
For this new bucolic getaway in the heart of the Marais Poitevin, you'll need to set your alarm clock. There's no need to get up at dawn, but we still advise you not to leave the campsite after 9am if you want to make the most of the day.
If you haven't been to the Marais Poitevin before, you're in for a real treat.
A hymn to beauty, a living tableau where man and nature are closely intertwined, the Marais Poitevin is a masterpiece that changes every day and every season to our great delight.
Here, the range of possibilities is so wide that a single day won't be enough to cover it all. But if you want to soak up the magic and feel the power and beauty of the place, we've put together a programme that should fill your memory box.
Come on, let's get going! Off to Maillezais Abbey.
It will take around 1 hour 15 minutes to get to our departure point.
It is the gateway to the Marais Poitevin. From the 11th to the 17th century, the Abbey rose in the middle of these waterlogged lands. The challenge was immense, but the men who shaped the Marais tamed it. Over the years, as well as welcoming a number of illustrious figures, the most famous of whom is undoubtedly François Rabelais, the abbey has had to deal with many upheavals. The jealousy of some, the vanity of others, conflicts of all kinds, the wars of religion, nothing spared it and it was finally abandoned during the 17th century.
💡It's worth knowing:Every summer, shows and musical entertainment punctuate the days.
You can also watch a spectacular projection on the walls of the abbey, which lasts around twenty minutes, and tells the tormented history of this building.
Let's continue this experience in Coulon, the capital of the Marais Poitevin...
Just a 15-minute drive from Maillezais, this town is the emblematic capital of the Marais Poitevin, and a must-see destination for romantics such as ourselves. Flower-filled terraces, landing stages with gondoliers, some dressed in traditional costumes, the town's main thoroughfare, the canal, where boats sail past, and this delightful atmosphere that seems to cut us off from the modern world - yes, we are in Coulon, a charming little town with character that has everything to please.
What to do in Coulon
To begin with, and to get the full flavour of the town, take a stroll down its narrow streets: whitewashed walls, low houses with blue shutters, flower-filled quays - take the time to stroll around and let yourself be carried away by the lightness of the atmosphere.
The right address: To do some shopping, head to Saveurs Régionales. Monsieur Godard's bonhomie and love of the Marais will introduce you to his local produce.
Before tackling the afternoon's programme, give yourself a break for lunch...
1st option:
You choose to hire your boat now and stop off at a picnic area set up along a canal. There's no doubt that you'll remember this picnic under the poplars for a long time to come.
2nd option:
If you haven't planned a picnic, there are some great addresses waiting to satisfy your taste buds. There's something for every taste and budget.
How about sampling some of the local specialities?
Coypu pâté, frog legs, eel fricassee, Poitevin stuffing...
Humm! We can tell from here that you're licking your lips...
An afternoon to suit your mood...
The not-to-be-missed boat trip to La Garette
Fancy a trip along the canals of Green Venice?
Whether you're on a guided tour or on your own, you can choose the type of walk that suits you best.
We've tried out a whole host of them for you, and here are the two 'spots' we've chosen.
The first is just outside Coulon. Take the Route de la Garette and park just after the bridge on the Place du Port. Walk up Rue des Gravées on your right. This is the Frênes à Sansais landing stage. You're sure to fall in love with this place!
We won't tell you any more about it, as the surprise will be all the better.
Au Martin-pêcheur landing stage at Arçais
We chose this landing stage as our second option because, as well as being sure you won't be disappointed by the ride, you'll also be able to discover the charm of this typical Marais Poitevin village.
A bike ride in the heart of the Marais Poitevin
With its countless cycle paths and footpaths, the Marais Poitevin is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Here, the terrain presents no difficulties whatsoever, so you can watch the lush green landscapes unfold at your own pace, and take advantage of the opportunity to discover an area rich and diverse in flora and fauna.
NB: For full details of the routes, contact the Coulon tourist office.
If you still have some strength left and want to make the most of it to the end...
We advise you to go through and why not visit the villages of Arçais and Damvix.
These are typical Marais villages that are well worth a visit.
