23 September 2018
What better way to fight against hot summer temperatures than a boat trip in the Marais poitevin? The meeting was planned at the jetty of the Green Venice in Le Mazeau, in Vendée for a guided ride. Now boarding!
Located on the border of the Deux-Sèvres and Vendée departments, Le Mazeau is the perfect place for those who want to discover the Marais poitevin by moving away from tourist attractions. The easily accessible jetty has a car park just a few metres away. A few tables complement the site for a picnic break before boarding or just to stop and enjoy the freshness of the river banks. The restaurant “Au Bord de l’Eau”, located on the same site, offers specialties from Vendée and seasonal menus at great prices. You can even bring the packed lunch to the boat!
Green Venice jetty in Le Mazeau
With his pigouille pole, our boatman, Julien, boards us in his world for the very first metres. “Pigouille”, what an incongruous word. The pigouille, a big pole carved in ash wood, is an emblem of the Marais poitevin. It is used to manoeuvre the boat which has a flat bottom, also known as the “plate”. And it is to say that he is a professional based on his technique. Through his explanations about the Marsh, including its history, its fauna and flora, his passion and respect for this site are undeniable. Julien is passionate and shares his love for the Marais poitevin. During the boat ride, each question has its answer or is even expected. We learn as much as we enjoy the landscapes, the freshness and the surrounding quietness.
Landscape of the Marais Poitevin seen during a ride in a boat.
The “fire on water” moment is the must-event part of the ride. With his paddle and his lighter, Julien literally puts the water on fire. As surprising as it is, this moment will be the high point of the ride! You can’t miss it!
The jetty of the Green Venice benefits from its quiet location and the wild “conche” canals surrounding it. During the whole ride, we meet only one canoe, reinforcing this feeling of being alone in the heart of nature, escorted by dragonflies and damselflies. A tranquillity reinforced by the smooth and silent navigation of our boatman. All the ingredients are here to spend a rare moment in the heart of a Marais poitevin where quietness and authenticity surround us!
This jetty is marked Valeurs Parc naturel régional.
The boat ride can also be narrated, done at sunset or in the early morning for the bravest, with or without a guide; it is up to you!
22 May 2024
Editions filled with plenty of ideas to create a tailor-made stay!! Documents to download: Download the map of the Marais Poitevin Find all the tourist activities available in the Marais Poitevin: boat rides, canoeing, sightseeing spots, bike rentals, bird-watching locations, seaside activities… Download the magazine Inspirations Along the Water… A […]
28 April 2024
The Marais poitevin, a highly appreciated tourist destination The Marais poitevin Regional Nature Park is a tourist destination in its own right. Every year, 1,400,000 visitors come to explore this region that’s one of a kind: largest wetland on the Atlantic coast, 8,200km of waterways, 1,000km of dykes, 594 hydraulic structures, 330 bird species, 750 […]
02 July 2024
The Vélidéale, a route of the Parks A new bike route has been created: the Vélidéale. Stretching over 665 kilometers, it connects Lake Vassivière in Creuse to the Brière marshes near Saint-Nazaire, passing through 6 departments: Creuse, Haute-Vienne, Charente, Deux-Sèvres, Vendée, and Loire-Atlantique. Download the brochure with the map of the Vélidéale It is […]
30 May 2024
A book written and illustrated by a local The author, Romain Gaillard, is a native of the Marais and resides in Sansais. A lover of this region, he has been exploring it for many years aboard his boat. He knows every corner of it and already shares his outings on his blog, “Le Blog du […]
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