Explorateurs du Marais poitevin, an escapade in the heart of the Green Venice
Breathing in the fresh air, you're ready to plunge into a labyrinth of greenery, where birdsong and lapping water are the only sounds around. Welcome to the Marais Poitevin, where nature reveals its secrets to the most curious.
You'll love
Pedal to the rhythm of secret canals and unique landscapes
Meet passionate producers and visit a Breed Maraîchine farm
Soak up the peaceful atmosphere of the villages and their stories
Share moments of complicity as a family or duo in the heart of nature
Day 1 : A first foray into the marsh by bicycle
Morning: Arrival and installation
Arriving at your accommodation, Le Petit Paradis de Morphée, you'll be warmly welcomed by your hosts, proud ambassadors of the Marais Poitevin. Once you've set down your suitcases, you'll pick up your bikes, your faithful steeds for the next few days.
Afternoon: The Circuit des Garennes, a gentle way to discover the area
By bike, you're off on the Circuit des Garennes, a 27-kilometer loop winding between canals and meadows. The sun's rays play hide-and-seek with the foliage, while you hear the croaking of the frogs.
Evening: Sharing Marais Poitevin experiences
Back at your accommodation, it's time to chat with your hosts about their favorite Marais Poitevin sites and anecdotes. It's sure to be a convivial evening, rich in discoveries.
Day 2 : The treasures of Nieul-sur-l'Autise, between heritage and gastronomy
Morning: Off to Rives-d'Autise
After a gourmet breakfast, you're off to Rives-d'Autise by bike. Along the Vendée cycle route, the scenery flies by and the kilometers tick by effortlessly.
Afternoon: Nieul-sur-l'Autise, a "Petite Cité de Caractère
In Nieul-sur-l'Autise, stroll along the cobbled streets and discover the architectural treasures of this Petite Cité de Caractère®. For heritage lovers, don't miss a visit to the Royal Abbey, testimony to the region's rich historical past. Then head for the Maison de la Meunerie, an eco-museum that plunges you into the world of flour-making. See how a water mill and an 18th-century dwelling work.
Before heading home, take a detour to Graines d'Autise, a cereal farm and producer of organic pasta and oils. An authentic encounter with people passionate about the land and taste.
Day 3 : La Venise verte, an unforgettable boat trip
Morning: Immediate departure for Green Venice
Today, you leave your bikes at rest for a boat trip through the mysterious Green Venice. Your guide, an outstanding storyteller, will reveal the secrets of the canals and local legends.
Afternoon: The Marais Poitevin farm, a world apart
Back on terra firma, visit the Marais Poitevin farm in Benet. Immerse yourself in the life of a traditional farm, where animals live in harmony. The more adventurous can try the Marai'scape experience, a life-size escape game where you'll have to solve riddles to save the farm. Based on a scenario inspired by the place, the "Farmer's Cabin" combines excavation activities, manipulations and puzzle-solving in keeping with the theme!
Day 4 : Morning walk and departure
To round off your stay, enjoy a final stroll through the marsh, on foot or on an all-terrain electric scooter. Enjoy the superb colors of nature that accompany you in these moments of serenity.
It's already time to say goodbye to the Marais Poitevin. With your head full of memories and your eyes full of images, you'll leave with the certainty of having had an irreplaceable, authentic experience.
Extend your stay
Why not continue your exploration of the Marais Poitevin with a visit to the medieval town of Vouvant, which has also been awarded the Petites Cités de Caractère® label. This walled town boasts the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame, with its chiselled portal, a series of flower-lined alleyways and the Mélusine tower, a vestige of the feudal Lusignan castle.