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Marais
Poitevin
The Marais
poitevin is the largest of the three area of Marais (marshlands) in the Vendee.
It is what is left of the Gulf of Pictons before it was drained by the
Benidictine monks. In Roman times some 10 rivers drained into the gulf
,but today it is just the Sevre Noirtais, the Cure and the Lay rivers that now
exit into the atlantic.
Three Depatments, The Vendee, Deux Sevres and Charente-Maritime all have areas of the Marais Poitevin which is the second largest marshland in France covering approximatly 0.5% of the land mass of France.
The marshland which can be divided into three parts, the Wet marshes(Green Venice or Venice Vert), the Dry marshes and the salt marshes has over 200km of canals
Three Depatments, The Vendee, Deux Sevres and Charente-Maritime all have areas of the Marais Poitevin which is the second largest marshland in France covering approximatly 0.5% of the land mass of France.
The marshland which can be divided into three parts, the Wet marshes(Green Venice or Venice Vert), the Dry marshes and the salt marshes has over 200km of canals
Gulf of
Picton in Roman times
The Marais
in the 13th Century
The monks
from their abbey at Maillezais which was built in 1005 on the site of a ruined
chapel were responsible for all the early drainage work and they had great skill
as is evident by the aquaduct that was built between 1654 and 1662 on the
completion of drainage work on the marshes around Vix
Today the
Anse de L,Aiguillon which once merited the name gulf consists of 5000ha of
mudflats, a stopping off point for migratory birds and now a National Nature
Reserve
There are three distinct regions within the marais, the upper reaches of the Sevre Niortais and Vendee rivers more commonly refered to as the Venice Vert or Green Venice where tourism along with farming in small fields with tree lined canels. A very attractive part of the marais.
The Middle section, the largest area mainly devoid of trees where agriculture is in control, though within this area there are several nature reserves and areas of common land which belong to the communes and can be freely grazed. These areas measure between 100ha and 300ha and in total there are some 2000ha of grazing land.
The final section is that beyond the drainage control zone, a land of salt marshes and mudflats, washed at high tide by the sea and gradually silting up.
The Marais Poitevin is on of the richest natural habitats in France. There has recorded over 250 species of birds of which 130 nest in the marshes, 44 species of mammals, 23 species of amphibians and reptiles, 322 species of fish and over 700 species of wild flora. It attracts naturalists from all over the world.
There are three distinct regions within the marais, the upper reaches of the Sevre Niortais and Vendee rivers more commonly refered to as the Venice Vert or Green Venice where tourism along with farming in small fields with tree lined canels. A very attractive part of the marais.
The Middle section, the largest area mainly devoid of trees where agriculture is in control, though within this area there are several nature reserves and areas of common land which belong to the communes and can be freely grazed. These areas measure between 100ha and 300ha and in total there are some 2000ha of grazing land.
The final section is that beyond the drainage control zone, a land of salt marshes and mudflats, washed at high tide by the sea and gradually silting up.
The Marais Poitevin is on of the richest natural habitats in France. There has recorded over 250 species of birds of which 130 nest in the marshes, 44 species of mammals, 23 species of amphibians and reptiles, 322 species of fish and over 700 species of wild flora. It attracts naturalists from all over the world.
The
following lists some of the more interesting sites and features of the Marais
Poitevin
| · | The Green Venice |
| · | Maillezais |
| · | The salt Marshes |
| · | Le Port de Courdault |
| · | The Aquaduct of Maille |
| · | The Hydaulic Node at Bazoin |
| · | The Barrage at Boisse |
| · | The Canal Ceinture des Hollandais |
| · | Le bois de Loyaute |
| · | Les Portes a la Mer (tide gates) |
| · | The commons |
| · | Le Puits et le Lavoir de Fontaines |
| · | Le Bateau a Chaine |
| · | Le Lavoir du port d'Azire |
| · | Les anciens Marais Salants |
| · | L'ancient port de Lucon |
| · | L'Ile de la Dive |
| · | Les Polders autour de Triaize |
| · | L'Ecuse de la Pionte aux Herbes |
| · | Le Pont du Brault |
| · | La Pointe de L'Aiguillon Les Mizottes (salt Marshes) |
The Marais
Poitevin today.
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Marais poitevin by Tate