Marans, the sweetness of the Marais poitevin

12 June 2018

Nestled between La Rochelle and Niort in the heart of the Marais poitevin Regional Natural Park, Marans a beautiful small town between land and sea to which we quickly got attracted. Marans is, with its history that goes back to the Middle-Ages, one of the largest towns of Charente-Maritime -almost the same area as the whole Island of Ré! It thus made this city a strategic place for exchanges thanks to its powerful commercial port. Today, the town keeps its unique historic attractivity which gives you a good reason to visit Marans.

Couple walking on the quays of the port of Marans

A multi-facetted town

But Marans is also looking to the future, as reflected in the futuristic bell tower of the Our Lady of Assumption Church, made of glass and aluminium, which surprises the onlookers visiting Marans. However, Marans doesn’t forget its past and faithfully restored the 17th-century Windmill of Beauregard.

If nowadays, marine and river tourism prevails in Marans, the city is also specialised in breeding with the Marans. This chicken breed is known for the quality of its flesh and the dark and shiny hue of the eggshell.

Crossed by the Sèvre niortaise river which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at the Aiguillon Bay, sweetness is everywhere in Marans. It’s a 4-flower city (the best!) and the former commercial port is now a marina that can welcome 180 boats throughout the year and allows the development of tourism in Marans.

GO AND SEE THE VILLAGES OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN

Marans, an invitation to discover the Marais poitevin

All this makes Marans an ideal starting point to explore the Marsh, whether by bike, on foot or by renting a boat or even a pedal boat at the marina.
At the junction of land and sea, close to the main cities and nature, Marans is a privileged front door to visit the Marais poitevin.

DISCOVER ALL THE VILLAGES AND CITIES NEARBY THE MARAIS POITEVIN