The Breton marsh

  • The Breton marsh Villeneuve en Retz
  • The Breton marsh Villeneuve en Retz
  • The Breton marsh Villeneuve en Retz
  • The Breton marsh Villeneuve en Retz
The Breton marsh Villeneuve en RetzThe Breton marsh Villeneuve en RetzThe Breton marsh Villeneuve en RetzThe Breton marsh Villeneuve en Retz

Presentation

A protected natural area classified as “Natura 2000”, I cover the southern half of the commune of Villeneuve-en-Retz.

With a total area of ​​approximately 36,000 hectares, I extend today from Port du Collet, to the gates of Machecoul, passing through the villages of Bourgneuf, Saint Cyr and Fresnay, and further south, to 'at the forest of Monts.
Who am I ?
Historically located between Brittany and Poitou, some say of me that I am Breton, others Vendéen... that is why today, I am called "marais Breton-Vendéen or Marô".

How do I discover myself?
On foot or by bike, nothing could be easier... by following these three hiking trails to know where to go: from the Tourist Office located in the village of Bourgneuf:
- the circuit: Les Aigrettes,
- the circuit: The Migrators, from the village of Fresnay:
- the circuit: Loyau.

At what moment ?
In any season...or almost;
- not when it is too hot in summer; here there are no trees for shelter,
- nor when the winter rains have filled the shelves... to avoid having wet feet!
 
What are my hidden treasures?
- salt marshes, salty and sweet,
- an astonishing network of wetlands and meadows,
- a rich and diverse flora: many species of plants can be observed there; samphire, soda, black mustard, tamarisk, bulrush, rush, or even obione...
- protected and preserved fauna: many birds inhabit the marsh; the spoonbill, the little egret, the gray heron, the swans, the lapwing, the white stilt, the black-headed gull, the pied avocet, the brown and silver gull, the common kestrel, the reed bunting, etc. ...And many other animals; cows and horses, the Poitou donkey, the Ouessant sheep, the coypu, the eel, the mule... and you can sometimes hear a few frogs singing!
- a small vernacular heritage is still visible there; bugs, stone bridges, fisheries, a fountain, locks...

And for guided tours?
- I get information from the Fresne educational farm HERE to discover a preserved place in complete serenity,
- or I look HERE in the Tourist Office calendar to find suggestions for ornithological outings...
- and to discover the salt marshes, go HERE with the salt workers!

To bring back good memories and keep smiling, I don't forget to bring:
- binoculars and my sunglasses,
- a hat and water if it is very hot,
- rain gear, if it's gray,
- hiking shoes to protect my feet... or boots, if it rains downpour!
- something to drink and eat, because there is no small café to stock up on in the marsh,
- a small bag so as not to throw away my waste,
- enough to take pretty photos to put on the networks!

Need other information in any season?
a quick phone call, it's always easy to the Villeneuve en Retz Tourist Office: 02 40 21 17 88.
Opening day(s)

All year long -2023

Every day

Information
  • TYPE OF SITE :
    • Marshes - wetlands
    • Viewpoint / Panoramic view
  • NATURAL HERITAGE CATEGORY :
    • Natural area
    • Voluntary or National Nature Reserve
    • ornithological observatory
    • NATURA 2000 zone
  • CAPACITY :
    • Authorised coach stop
  • PETS :
    • Pets allowed
  • ACCESSIBILITY :
    • Access with help
  • TOWN :
    • Villeneuve-en-Retz
Equipment/services
  • FACILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES :
    • Free car park all the year long
Comfort
  • Facilities and services :
    • Car park

Map

Map

FICHE_INFO_SIMPLE_LIBELLE_DESTINATION
Le Marais Breton
Les Rivières aux Guérins
Bourgneuf-en-Retz
44580
VILLENEUVE EN RETZ
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 47.03477
Longitude : -1.94180
See The Breton marsh on GoogleMaps
  • Distance from the center (church ) :
    • 18 km. from the center of Pornic
    • 25 km. from the center of la Plaine sur Mer
    • 27 km. from the center of Préfailles
    • 25 km. from the center of Tharon-Plage
    • 7 km. from the center of Les Moutiers
    • 12 km. from the center of Arthon
    • 0,9 m du centre de Fresnay
    • 0,9 m du centre de St Cyr
    • 0,9 m du centre de Bourgneuf
    • less than 1 Km. from the center
LIEN_ACCES_MOTEUR_RESA_FICHE
Contact details
The Breton marsh
Les Rivières aux Guérins
Bourgneuf-en-Retz
44580
VILLENEUVE EN RETZ
mail / message
Phone : +33 2 40 21 17 88
Website "The Breton marsh"
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