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.
Wildlife parks to visit
Dolus d'Oléron - the 'Parc Myocastors'
This park allows you to discover more about the myocastor or coypu which ressembles a large rat.
The 'Marais aux Oiseaux'
This is a discovery park that is great to visit as a family. Here you'll see hundreds of species of wild and domesticated birds.
