Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, booking is strongly recommended, especially during busy periods. Contact your chosen pier directly.

What is the difference between a guided walk and a self-guided walk?

The guided tour includes explanations, anecdotes and demonstrations by the boatman. If you prefer, you can choose your own boat and navigate freely, unaccompanied but with a map of the route to follow.

Can you capsize in a traditional boat? Is it risky?

No, this is extremely rare. Traditional flat-bottomed boats are designed to offer excellent stability. In the past, they were even used to transport cows from one meadow to another.

Is there a minimum age for boat trips?

No. Even small children can board. Babies travel on their parents’ laps and all children are fitted with a life jacket, which is compulsory up to the age of 12.

Is it accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Yes, if the person can maintain themselves independently without their wheelchair. The boats are equipped with backrests and human assistance is available to make boarding and disembarking easier. A life jacket is provided. Unfortunately, however, the activity is not accessible to people who cannot leave their wheelchair.

Are dogs allowed on board?

Yes, dogs are welcome and can enjoy the ride too.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

The walks will continue even if it rains. All you need is suitable clothing and an umbrella. However, in the event of really extreme conditions (violent winds, thunderstorms, etc.), it is advisable to contact the pier directly for information.

Do you need to worry about mosquitoes on your walk?

No, you won’t be devoured. Bites are rare in boats on the water . Mosquitoes are generally more prevalent on certain hiking trails, depending on the season. For complete peace of mind, a little mosquito repellent cream before you set off will do the trick.

Guided boat trip in the Marais Poitevin: everyone to the pier! | Pays de Fontenay-Vendée Tourist Office

Everyone to the pier!

What would a holiday in the Vendée Marais Poitevin be without a classic boat trip? Much less successful! As a brave freshwater sailor, take a leisurely trip along the canals of the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park.

A trip guided by the anecdotes of your boatman, a striking magic trick and a (well-deserved) rest on the Venise Verte… 5 piers with boatmen’s guides to guide you. Are you listening? It’s the gentle way of life that’s calling you!

About your adventure…

Rendezvous at one of our landing stages

Choose from a number of piers in the Marais Poitevin offering guided trips with a boatman.

Open in summer

Most landing stages are open from the spring to the autumn holidays.
TheEmbarcadère de l’Autize at Saint-Sigismond is open all year round.

Accessible to all

No age limit

Booking is strongly recommended

We strongly advise you to book your guided boat trip in advance, and in some cases it is compulsory.

Free car parks

Free parking is available close to each pier.

Accessible to people with reduced mobility

The boat trip is accessible if the person can stand independently without their wheelchair. Remember to inform the pier when booking.

3 heroic reasons to get involved!

Share a special moment with a child from the marshes

On board, you won’t just be listening to a commentary. The boatman tells the story of his day-to-day life in the marsh, with heartfelt anecdotes and an intimate knowledge of the area.

A moment out of time

The pace slows down, the landmarks disappear. The Marais Poitevin sets the pace and invites you to savour the moment. It’s a rare experience, calm and profoundly different from the rest of the world.

Watching a fire on the water

When the flame rises to the surface of the canal, silence falls. A surprising, almost unreal moment, orchestrated by the boatman and engraved in our memories.

Your adventure in detail

Choosing your landing stage: a boat trip to suit everyone in the Marais Poitevin

Even the greatest heroes sometimes need a breather! And what better way to take a breath of fresh air than in the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park? With over 8,000 km of canals ( you can’t explore them all!), it’s the perfect place to take it easy and relax!

But here, every explorer has his or her own favourite pier! The one at Maillezais, a stone’s throw from the abbey, offers a unique view of the Gothic ruins from the water. As for Saint-Sigismond, theAutize pier at Saint-Sigismond invites you to take a wilder plunge, away from the hustle and bustle. Or are you more inclined towards Le Mazeau? TheVenise Verte embarcadère plunges you into the heart of the famous “cathedral” of greenery. Finally, at Damvix, theGrenouille Bleue jetty offers a lovely escape from a typical Marais Poitevin village.

As you can see, these 5 Vendée Marais Poitevin landing stages each have their own identity… And the boatmen each have their own secrets to help you discover the Venise verte, whether you opt for a 45-minute or 3-hour trip! So which port will you choose, dear unconquered hero?

The guided boat trip and the spectacle of fire on the water!

You’ve made your choice, opted for this pier rather than that one, and now you’re on your boat*, in the company of your boatman and the silent charm of the cathedral of greenery. The only disturbing sounds are those of the oar and the pigouille**! Along the canals, your guide will also tell you about the history of the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park and introduce you to its traditions.

And it’s a good thing he’s got one to show you: just like that, he’s thrusting his oar into the water, stirring up the mud and taking out his lighter. Poof! A flame appears as if by magic, lasts a few seconds and then disappears before your very eyes.
Surprised, you ask your guide what spell your boatman has just used. ” It’s very simple: nature’s spell”, he replies. The vegetation that has fallen to the bottom of the conches decomposes and forms pockets of carbon dioxide in the mud. All you have to do is stir it up and the highly flammable methane gas rises to the surface, where it is consumed by a spark. Not to be reproduced unless you’re an experienced sorcerer!

*Flat-bottomed boat traditionally used in the Marais Poitevin.
** traditional pole used to manoeuvre the flat-bottomed boat.

Dare to be adventurous without a guide: “en-barque” in the Marais Poitevin!

Want to sail in complete freedom? In the Vendée Marais Poitevin, you can also leave the boatman in the harbour. You can hire a boat and enjoy the pleasure of sailing in total autonomy in the heart of the Marais Poitevin.

Traditional flatboat, canoe, paddle, kayak or pedalo… Each freshwater sailor chooses his or her own vessel and charts his or her own course. Greet a group of cyclists at the bend in a canal, stop to watch a heron or a coypu, speed up to overtake more leisurely sailors… Here, to each his own course, to each his own rhythm!

Funny slices

Why not take a piece of the Marais Poitevin with you?

With the Abbaye pier in Maillezais, the Autize pier in Saint-Sigismond and the Venise Verte pier in Le Mazeau, the Tourist Office has come up with “Drôles de tranches”: a slice of pollarded ash made by craftsman Benjamin Melin, giving a second life to this emblematic wood, which is now ill (Chalarosis).

You can obtain it by taking part in one of the summer events on offer at these 3 piers:

Guided boat trip at dusk – Le Mazeau, Embarcadère de la Venise Verte
Le marais qui s’éveille: an exceptional morning adventure – Saint-Sigismond, Embarcadère de l’Autize
Immersive getaway in Venise Verte: an introduction to pigouille or rowing and watering young ash trees to actively help preserve the marsh – Maillezais, Embarcadère de l’Abbaye

This slice of wood is more than just a memory, it’s a meaningful fragment of the land. In short, a little piece of the Marais Poitevin with a big story to tell.

Live the Drôles de tranches experience

Your guides, your allies

Without them, the magic won’t work!

The guides boatmen

Marsh guardians

As part of your adventure, the boatmen reveal the mysteries of the Marais Poitevin with passion and expertise. Often young and originally from the marsh, they work here for the duration of a summer job.

More than just guides, they are the true guardians of the marsh!

Your mission starts here

Free parking is available close to each pier.

Good advice from the Tourist Office!

Book your guided boat trip in advance

You’ll be sure to leave at a time that suits you, especially at the busiest times.

Choose the right duration

1 hour for a break (be careful, it goes by really quickly!), 1? or 2 hours to soak up the sights (ideal, we recommend!), 3 hours to get away from it all (escape mode activated, it may be a little too long with children).

Choose the morning or the end of the day

The marshes are quieter than between 11am and 5pm, and the soft light sublimates the landscapes.

Prepare your mission!

Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, booking is strongly recommended, especially during busy periods. Contact your chosen pier directly.
What is the difference between a guided walk and a self-guided walk?
The guided tour includes explanations, anecdotes and demonstrations by the boatman. If you prefer, you can choose your own boat and navigate freely, unaccompanied but with a map of the route to follow.
Can you capsize in a traditional boat? Is it risky?
No, this is extremely rare. Traditional flat-bottomed boats are designed to offer excellent stability. In the past, they were even used to transport cows from one meadow to another.
Is there a minimum age for boat trips?
No. Even small children can board. Babies travel on their parents’ laps and all children are fitted with a life jacket, which is compulsory up to the age of 12.
Is it accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Yes, if the person can maintain themselves independently without their wheelchair. The boats are equipped with backrests and human assistance is available to make boarding and disembarking easier. A life jacket is provided. Unfortunately, however, the activity is not accessible to people who cannot leave their wheelchair.
Are dogs allowed on board?
Yes, dogs are welcome and can enjoy the ride too.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
The walks will continue even if it rains. All you need is suitable clothing and an umbrella. However, in the event of really extreme conditions (violent winds, thunderstorms, etc.), it is advisable to contact the pier directly for information.
Do you need to worry about mosquitoes on your walk?
No, you won’t be devoured. Bites are rare in boats on the water. Mosquitoes are generally more prevalent on certain hiking trails, depending on the season. For complete peace of mind, a little mosquito repellent cream before you set off will do the trick.