Marshland fauna
Ornithology
The Charente-Maritime region bordering the Atlantic Ocean is resting place for migratory birds heading back north after the winter. Many other species live here permanently.
Bird-lovers should be on the look-out for owls, buzzards, falcons, hawks, northern lapwing, kingfishers, green woodpecker, eurasian golden plover, geese, herons, ducks, and swans as well as other species.
Waterside fauna
Take a stroll along the many tiny waterways and channels that criss-cross the marshes and be on the look-out for the otters, coypu, frogs and snails that live in these wetlands.
It's here also that you might spot the civelle, a type of eel specific to the region and cherished by chefs and food lovers alike.
Orchids
In the 5 departments that make up the region of Poitou-Charentes more than 50 species of orchids have been listed, some being very rare.
Pôles Nature to visit…
Maison du Fier - Les Portes-en-Ré
Located in the bay of Ars, the national Reserve of Lilleau des Niges spreads over 220 ha of former salt marshes, managed by the league of bird protection. In spring and summer, little egrets, common shelducks, black-winged stilts and terns house the marshes. In autumn and winter, the salt licks attract Eurasian curlews, blak-tailed godwits and brant goose.
Écomusée du Marais Salant - Loix-en-Ré
At the heart of the peninsula of Loix, you can discover al the secrets about the making of salt on the island of Ré, but also the particular flora this marsh is made of, like salicornia and mustard.
Pôle-Nature du Marais Poitevin - Taugon
Plunge at the heart of the Marais Poitevin in this nature reserve decicated to marshes: an outdoor interpretation trail and animations for the entire family, a scenographic area and visits in nature to discover the flora and fauna of the Marais Poitevin.
Donkey farm Baudet du Poitou - Dampierre-sur-Boutonne
This nature reserve is located at the Tillauderie farm, on a protected site of more than 20 ha. You'll be meeting with the oldest race of donkeys: the Baudet of Poitou! On the program: safari trip on horse and carriage, trip on a Poitevin donkey, GPS trip with a laden donkey...
Réserve Naturelle du Marais d’Yves
A few kilometers from Rochefort, you can plunge at the heart of the flora and fauna of sea nature in this nature reserve filled with remarkable landscapes: dunes, marshes, lagoon... and inhabited by a great number of migratory birds, goose, ducks, herons, storks and other stilts of the coast. The bay of Yves offers a panoramic view on the bay, the islands, the fortresses...
Cabane de Moins - Breuil-Magné
Nestled at the heart of a 150 ha hunting reserve made of vast water ponds and wet prairies, this renovated farm invites you to discover the freshwater marshes where birds take a break on their long migratory journey. During a crepuscular outing, visitors can discreetly watch various types of ducks, common shelducks, northern pintails or northern shovellers but also big egrets and otters live in the reserve of Cabane de Moins.
Station de lagunage - Rochefort
Set on the banks of the Charente, the waste stabilization pond of Rochefort stretches over 70 ha. It allows an economical and ecological way to treat the waste water of Rochefort. The site welcomes thousands of water birds (ducks, stilts, grebes, passerines...) because of the abounding plankton and the construction of specific basins on the banks of the Charente by the league of bird protection.
Marais aux oiseaux - Dolus-d’Oléron
This park of wild and domestic fauna is set at the heart of the island of Oléron in the towns of Dolus-d'Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron. It invites you to discover more than 500 animals representing 60 different species in an area of 130 ha of leaved trees and former salt marshes. All through the year, you can participate in guided visits, learning trails, workshops, exhibitions... for all ages.
Port des Salines - Le Grand-Village-Plage, Île d’Oléron
Located in Le Grand-Village-Plage on the island of Oléron, the Port des Salines will tell you all about salt making on Oléron and the know-how of saltmakers. The ecomuseum will take you from cabin to cabin to discover the working materials of saltmakers, the revival of the activity, the seasons of the salt marshes... You'll find out everything about the functioning of a salt marsh and the traditional handlings of a saltmaker. You can rent a small boat and enjoy the landscapes of the marshes or follow an interpretation trail and admire the great variety of flora and fauna.
Réserve Naturelle de Moëze-Oléron
The nature reserve of Moëze-Oléron counts 5000 ha of salt licks subject to the tides, between the marshes of Brouage and the dunes of the island of Oléron. 270 bird species have been observed here, including 69 nestling birds. Besides the birds, the reserve also counts about ten different species of freshwater fish, amphibiens and reptiles (European turtle, green and yellow grass snake, viperine snake), without forgetting about the European otter, the water shrew and the dolphin.
Pôle-Nature de la Pierre de Crazannes
This nature reserve is filled with history. The quarries of Crazannes offer an original landscape of lost arches invaded by trees and lianas and where mammals, birds and bats have chosen to live. On the program: visit to the museum, guided tour through the quarries, sculpture workshops, monthly events (art days, orchid outings, mushrooms ...)
Parc de l’Estuaire - Saint-Georges-de-Didonne
Discover the estuary of the Gironde, the biggest estuary of Europe! This unique nature site spreads over 4 ha at the heart of the Suzac forest, between pine trees, ferns and Mediterranean flora! To see, to do: the Machine Room with a submarine setting, the watchtower (breathtaking view on the estuary, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, the Médoc, the lighthouse of Cordouan…), the forest track…
Maison de la Forêt - Montlieu-la-Garde
The Maison de la Forêt is set at the heart of 30 000 ha of the forest of Haute-Saintonge. This area is dedicated to trees and its human activity. To see, to do: the watchtower, with a splendid view on the landscapes of Haute-Saintonge, a learning trail at the heart of the forest (discovering the flora, fauna and essences...), the village of the woods and the traditional cabins, the butterfly reserve, workshops for children, outings in nature, evening entertainment...
Pôle-Nature de Vitrezay - Saint-Sorlin-de-Conac
At the heart of the marshes and the banks of the Gironde estuary you can discover an atypical site. This nature reserve is the starting point for hikes along the famous "carrelets" fisherman's huts where you'll find a typical and remarkable flora and fauna in a humid zone. On the program: fishing from a carrelet in freshwater of ponds or the estuary, boat trips to explore the estuary of the Gironde, visiting the islands, the Médoc, the harbour festival, the festival of traditions, the sheep festival and the inter village games...
