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{{Short description|Marshland in western France}}
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{{Coord|46|20|N|0|40|W|region:FR_scale:200000_source:frwiki|display=title}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2017}}
[[File:MaraisPoitevin.jpg|thumb|"The Green Venice": an inner canal seen from a flatboat.]]
[[File:MaraisPoitevin.jpg|thumb|"The Green Venice": an inner canal seen from a flatboat.]]
[[File:CoulonQuaiTardy-France.jpg|thumb|Quay at the small town of [[Coulon, Deux-Sèvres|Coulon]].]]
[[File:CoulonQuaiTardy-France.jpg|thumb|Quay at the small town of [[Coulon, Deux-Sèvres|Coulon]].]]
The '''Marais Poitevin''' ({{IPA-fr|maʁɛ pwatvɛ̃|pron}}, '''Poitevin Marsh''') is a large area of marshland in western [[France]], a remnant of the former [[Gulf of Poitou]] (the name meaning "[[Poitou]]'s Marsh", "Marsh of Poitou region"). It consists for two thirds of a western zone near the sea called the "dry marsh" (or "dried marsh"), used for farming and breeding, and for one third of an eastern zone called the "wet marsh", a maze of islets criss-crossed by picturesque canals now used for tourist rowboating and nicknamed '''The Green Venice''' (''la Venise Verte'').


The '''Marais Poitevin''' ({{IPA|fr|maʁɛ pwatvɛ̃|pron}}) or '''Poitevin Marsh''' is a large area of [[marshland]] in the former province of [[Poitou]] in western France.
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==Overview==
With a surface of {{convert|970|km2}}, it is the largest marsh on the [[Atlantic (ocean)|Atlantic]] coast and the second largest of the whole country (after the [[Camargue]]). Extending across three departments ([[Vendée]], [[Deux-Sèvres]], and [[Charente-Maritime]]), it is situated west of [[Niort]], north of [[La Rochelle]], and south of [[Fontenay-le-Comte]].


It is a remnant of what was the former {{ill|Gulf of Poitou|fr|Golfe des Pictons|vertical-align=sup}}. The western zone near the sea (about two-thirds of the area) is called the "dry marsh" (or "dried marsh"). It is used for farming and livestock breeding. The eastern zone, called the "wet marsh", is a maze of islets crisscrossed by picturesque canals, primarily now a tourist destination for boating. It is nicknamed '''The Green Venice''' (''la Venise Verte'').<ref>{{cite web|title=The Marais Poitevin|url=https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/france/poitou-charentes-atlantic-coast/marais-poitevin/|website=Rough Guides|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905231013/https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/france/poitou-charentes-atlantic-coast/marais-poitevin/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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The area was declared a [[Regional natural parks of France|Regional Natural Park]] (''Parc naturel régional'') in 1979, but it lost that status in 1997 as intensive agricultural development around the Marsh meant the unique character of the region was endangered, leaving only a core Interregional Park (''Parc Interrégional du Marais poitevin'') of {{convert|185|km2}}. Attempts to get back the full Park label started in 2002, leading to a new chart being proposed in 2006; accepted by the local authorities, it was rejected in late 2008 by the government due to a perceived "juridical fragility".


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==Overview==
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Tourism includes boating in traditional barques, which is a form of [[Punt (boat)|punting]]. There are several piers (''embarcadères''), from which boats can be hired. The myriad canals are covered in green [[duckweed]] (hence the Green Venice nickname) and the drained marsh land is home to a varied fauna.
With an area of {{convert|970|km2}},<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rushby|first1=Kevin|title=Canoeing and cycling in France's Marais Poitevin wetlands|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/may/16/canoeing-france-waterways-marais-poitevin-cycling-holidays|website=The Guardian|date=15 May 2009 |access-date=5 September 2017}}</ref> this is the largest marsh on France's [[Atlantic (ocean)|Atlantic]] coast and the second largest of the country, after the [[Camargue]] in Provence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marais poitevin|url=http://www.visit-poitou-charentes.com/en/Marais-poitevin|website=Visit Poitou Charantes|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824201328/http://www.visit-poitou-charentes.com/en/Marais-poitevin|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Marais Poitevin is the most important area of [[angelica]] cultivation in France. Extending across three departments ([[Vendée]], [[Deux-Sèvres]], and [[Charente-Maritime]]), it is situated west of [[Niort]], north of [[La Rochelle]], and south of [[Fontenay-le-Comte]].


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In 1979 the Marais Poitevin was declared a [[Regional natural parks of France|Regional Natural Park]] ({{langx|fr|Parc naturel régional}}), in an effort to help preserve it. The marsh lost that status in 1997, due to intensive agricultural development around the Marsh that endangered the unique character of the region. Only a core Interregional Park (''Parc Interrégional du Marais poitevin'') of {{convert|185|km2}} remains. Attempts to regain the full Park classification started in 2002, and supporters proposed a new charter in 2006. While this was accepted by the local authorities, it was rejected in late 2008 by the national government due to a perceived "juridical fragility".
The ''Marais Poitevin'' is also the most important area of [[angelica]] cultivation in France.

⚫
Tourism includes boating in traditional barques, which is a form of [[Punt (boat)|punting]]. There are several piers ({{langx|fr|embarcadères}}), from which boats can be hired. The myriad canals have become covered in green [[duckweed]] (hence the Green Venice nickname). The drained marshland is home to a varied fauna.


==Geology==
==Geology==
The marsh sits on [[limestone]] plateau, dating from the [[Jurassic]] period, which covered much of the former province of [[Poitou]]. The [[Würm glaciation|Würm]] glaciation, ca. 24,000–10,000 ybp, caused significant marine regression and the recovery of much river erosion (a watershed of ca. 535,000 ha), thus exposing the marl-limestone formations. Upon such mounds like the villages of [[Maillezais]], [[Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm]] and [[Marans, Charente-Maritime|Marans]].
The marsh developed above a [[limestone]] plateau, dating from the [[Jurassic]] period.<ref>{{cite web|title=HISTORY OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN|url=http://bjr-tourisme.com/enpage/marsh-history.php3|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217084121/http://bjr-tourisme.com/enpage/marsh-history.php3|archive-date=2009-02-17}}</ref> This plateau covered much of the former province of [[Poitou]]. The [[Würm glaciation]], c. 24,000–10,000 [[Before present|YBP]], caused significant marine regression and the recovery of much river erosion (a watershed of c. 535,000 ha), thus exposing the marl-limestone formations. The villages of [[Maillezais]], [[Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm]], and [[Marans, Charente-Maritime|Marans]] developed on such hillocks.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Le Vanneau-Passerelle.jpg|A footbridge over a canal.
File:Le Vanneau-Passerelle.jpg|A footbridge over a canal.
File:Canaux du marais à Maillezais.jpg|Canal green with duckweed.
File:Canaux du marais à Maillezais.jpg|Canal green with duckweed.
File:MaraisPoitevinMoutons.JPG|Sheep on an islet.
File:MaraisPoitevinMoutons.JPG|Sheep on an islet.
File:Marais_poitevin.JPG|Traditional house by a canal.
File:Marais_poitevin.JPG|Traditional house by a canal.
File:Marais-poitevin boats.jpg|Typical boats (barques) of Marais-poitevin.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
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* [[Jean Hoeufft]]
{{Portal|France}}
{{Portal|France}}
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* [[Jean Hoeufft]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* [http://www.bjr-tourisme.com/enpage/marsh-history.php3 "History of the Marais Poitevin"] (from the Pliocene to 1979)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090217084121/http://bjr-tourisme.com/enpage/marsh-history.php3 "History of the Marais Poitevin"] (from the Pliocene to 1979)


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Marais Poitevin}}
{{Commons|Marais Poitevin}}
* {{fr}} [http://www.marais-poitevin.com/ Tourism in the Marais Poitevin]
* {{in lang|fr|cap=yes}} [http://www.marais-poitevin.com/ Tourism in the Marais Poitevin]
* {{fr}} [http://www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr/en/ Parc naturel régional du Marais Poitevin]
* {{in lang|fr|cap=yes}} [http://www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr/en/ Parc naturel régional du Marais Poitevin]
* {{fr}} [http://marais-poitevin.org/ Organisation for the defence of the Marais Poitevin]
* {{in lang|fr|cap=yes}} [http://marais-poitevin.org/ Organisation for the defence of the Marais Poitevin]
* {{fr}} [http://www.angles.fr/tourisme/regional/balades_marais.htm A guide to punting on the Marais Poitevin (Venise Verte)]
* {{in lang|fr|cap=yes}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060516094814/http://www.angles.fr/tourisme/regional/balades_marais.htm A guide to punting on the Marais Poitevin (Venise Verte)]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/themes-destinations/countries/france/the-grand-site-du-marais-poitevin Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2010]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121103133446/http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/themes-destinations/countries/france/the-grand-site-du-marais-poitevin/ Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2010]


{{Authority control}}
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{{coord|46|20|N|0|40|W|region:FR_scale:200000_source:frwiki|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Poitevin, Marais}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Poitevin, Marais}}
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[[Category:Landforms of Charente-Maritime]]
[[Category:Landforms of Charente-Maritime]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Vendée]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Vendée]]
[[Category:Landforms of Pays de la Loire]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in Metropolitan France]]
[[Category:Landforms of Poitou-Charentes]]

Latest revision as of 18:50, 24 October 2024

46°20′N 0°40′W / 46.333°N 0.667°W / 46.333; -0.667

"The Green Venice": an inner canal seen from a flatboat.
Quay at the small town of Coulon.

The Marais Poitevin (pronounced [maʁɛ pwatvɛ̃]) or Poitevin Marsh is a large area of marshland in the former province of Poitou in western France.

It is a remnant of what was the former Gulf of Poitou [fr]. The western zone near the sea (about two-thirds of the area) is called the "dry marsh" (or "dried marsh"). It is used for farming and livestock breeding. The eastern zone, called the "wet marsh", is a maze of islets crisscrossed by picturesque canals, primarily now a tourist destination for boating. It is nicknamed The Green Venice (la Venise Verte).[1]

Overview

[edit]

With an area of 970 square kilometres (370 sq mi),[2] this is the largest marsh on France's Atlantic coast and the second largest of the country, after the Camargue in Provence.[3] The Marais Poitevin is the most important area of angelica cultivation in France. Extending across three departments (Vendée, Deux-Sèvres, and Charente-Maritime), it is situated west of Niort, north of La Rochelle, and south of Fontenay-le-Comte.

In 1979 the Marais Poitevin was declared a Regional Natural Park (French: Parc naturel régional), in an effort to help preserve it. The marsh lost that status in 1997, due to intensive agricultural development around the Marsh that endangered the unique character of the region. Only a core Interregional Park (Parc Interrégional du Marais poitevin) of 185 square kilometres (71 sq mi) remains. Attempts to regain the full Park classification started in 2002, and supporters proposed a new charter in 2006. While this was accepted by the local authorities, it was rejected in late 2008 by the national government due to a perceived "juridical fragility".

Tourism includes boating in traditional barques, which is a form of punting. There are several piers (French: embarcadères), from which boats can be hired. The myriad canals have become covered in green duckweed (hence the Green Venice nickname). The drained marshland is home to a varied fauna.

Geology

[edit]

The marsh developed above a limestone plateau, dating from the Jurassic period.[4] This plateau covered much of the former province of Poitou. The Würm glaciation, c. 24,000–10,000 YBP, caused significant marine regression and the recovery of much river erosion (a watershed of c. 535,000 ha), thus exposing the marl-limestone formations. The villages of Maillezais, Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm, and Marans developed on such hillocks.

[edit]
  • A footbridge over a canal.
    A footbridge over a canal.
  • Canal green with duckweed.
    Canal green with duckweed.
  • Sheep on an islet.
    Sheep on an islet.
  • Traditional house by a canal.
    Traditional house by a canal.
  • Typical boats (barques) of Marais-poitevin.
    Typical boats (barques) of Marais-poitevin.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Marais Poitevin". Rough Guides. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  2. ^ Rushby, Kevin (15 May 2009). "Canoeing and cycling in France's Marais Poitevin wetlands". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Marais poitevin". Visit Poitou Charantes. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. ^ "HISTORY OF THE MARAIS POITEVIN". Archived from the original on 2009-02-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marais Poitevin.
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