Histoiry of the marsh

Aspects of the Marais Poitevin

Chalky cliffs, fossiles fields
near Esnandes.

In western France, located below the Loire river and extending over 2 regions, the waterways of the MARAIS POITEVIN (Poitou fens, also called the Green Venice) occupies what was a very large depression with a surface of well over 80.000 hectares. Its western edge, from the city of Longeville down to Esnandes forms a very gracious curve 34 kilometers long facing the Atlantic ocean and called the "Baie de l'Aiguillon" (Bay of l'Aiguillon). Remnants of ancient limestone cliffs constitute the Marais northen border with the Vendee plain, and the southern border as well with the Aunis hills. As for the eastern border, it vanishes into the valley of the Sevre Niortaise river, some 40 kilometers from the ocean-side.

One must consider several distinct areas in the Marais Poitevin. First, the"Marais Mouilles" , or wet marshes, remain liable to flooding and are located in the eastern sector of the Marais Poitevin. Here the waterways are supplied with the waters from several neighbouring major rivers such as : the Sevre Niortaise, the Vendee and the Lay, but also from less important streams, called l'Autize, la Guirande, la Courance and the Mignon.

The total surface of this sector covers only 16 500 hectares, but it collects rainwater from 630 000 hectares of the surrounding sloops.

Better know to the tourists under the more attractive name of GREEN VENICE, the wet marshes are caracterised by an extremely dense maze of canals indenting numerous small pieces of land bordered with poplars and pollared ash-trees. These lands are dedicated to market-gardening or used as pastures for cattle breeding. This typical area is the perfect frame for enchanting boat rides.

However, let it be known that the wet marshes in southern Vendee are less visited due to the fact that they present a totally different aspect (less woods and very few trees). This is also true for the river Lay area. Subject to the same hydraulic effects as the rest of the wet lands. These two sectors are nevertheless of major ecological interest.

Located in the center of the Marais Zone, the dry marsh extend over 55 000 hectares and present to one's eyes a completely different lanscape : large monotonous meadows without woods nor edges, separated by large straight canals, strictly and extensively given over to cereals and grazing. These methods of using this land depend on a sophisticated waterworks : dikes called "levées" divide the dry from the wet marsches. In wintertime, the rise of canals water level allows to built up large water reserves to be used later on when the dry season arrives. Then the water is distributed over to the dry lands by opening the floodgates.

We will talk later on about the historical origines of this very important hydraulic system, so necessary to the Marais Poitevin maintenance and preservation. In between the dry and wet marsches, we find the Marais "mixtes" which can be considered as an intermediate zone of imperfect dryness.

The recently builtPolders called "prises" have allowed to gain land by mean of a system of dikes. Most of them were constructed during a period extending from the XVIII to the XX centuries. Without these dikes, separating the Marais from the nearby Atlantic ocean, salted waters could rise up to the village of IRLEAU, some 10 kilometers away from the city of NIORT. This of course during the spring tide season.On the Atlantic coast, the littoral fringe shows series of dunes , lines, very fragile due to the action of the Ocean and the winds. Here, the area called Pointe d'ARCAY (Arcay Point) is classified as national hunting preserve.

Finally, in the so-called L'Aiguillon Bay, we find "Mizotte" or schorre, a salted meadow created by drying sludge turning into soil, and a muddy area called "vasière or slikke". This area enjoys a good reputation for its fine bouchotmussels growing on poles stucked into the sea ground. It is also famous for its exceptionnal wading bird colony which thrive on the estuary. However, the Marais Poitevin can be considered as a new land. All along the passed centuries it has constantly evolved first with the everchanging action of mother Nature, then under the slow domestication by its inhabitants, true pionner of the waters.

Histoiry of the marsh

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EMBARCADERE DU MARAIS BAZOIN
BATEAUX Jacques RENAUD
Canal du Mignon
17170 LA RONDE - FRANCE
Tel : 33 (0) 5.46.27.87.60.
Fax : 33 (0) 5.46.27.88.98.
E-mail : bjrtourisme@bjr-tourisme.com

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Aspects of the Marais Poitevin

Chalky cliffs, fossiles fieldsnear Esnandes.

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Chalky cliffs, fossiles fields
near Esnandes.