Le Marais Breton Vendée
The Marais Breton Vendéen, which stretches between the Vendée and Loire-Atlantique departments, is a place that has been built up over the years to the delight of holidaymakers. Known today as the Marô, this extraordinary wetland, comprising 18 communes, welcomes visitors every year to this local jewel. And indeed, the Marais Breton Vendéen is well worth the detour! From our campsite in Notre Dame de Monts, you can discover the many attractions of the area.
Discover the Marais Breton Vendéen near the campsite
You can easily discover the Marais Breton Vendéen from the 4-star Le Grand Jardin campsite, ideally located south of the Marô. This friendly, family-friendly campsite is located in Notre-Dame-de-Monts, in the heart of the Vendée, on the Côte de Lumière. You’re close to beaches, forests and the gateway to the islands of Noirmoutier and Yeu.
What is the origin of the Marais Breton Vendéen?
The islands of Noirmoutier and Sallertaine (etc.) belonged to the Bay of Bourgneuf, once invaded by the ocean. Over time, the islands became accessible from the mainland. In this way, the inhabitants gradually conquered space on the bay by creating dykes and canals. The salt marshes were settled by Benedictine monks between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Today, the marsh is only a few meters above sea level. There are a few raised areas, where the villages are located, corresponding to the sites of the former islands.
Freshwater has replaced seawater, and salt production has declined in favor of agricultural activities.
What is the purpose of the Marais Breton Vendéen today?
The Marô is an immense, unique, varied and well-preserved site. The main aim of the marsh is to preserve the environment and develop ecotourism.
The Ramsar label (wetland of international importance) enables all those involved in the Marais Breton Vendéen to work together to preserve this historic natural and socio-cultural heritage.
What to do in the Marais Breton Vendéen?
Would you like a quality welcome, close to the local people and the land? The Marais Breton Vendéen has it all.
On arrival, if you’d like to immerse yourself in the Marais Breton Vendéen and find out all about it (the formation of the marsh, the life of the Maraîchins, etc.), don’t miss theLe Daviaud exhibition at La Barre de Monts. It’s not only an observatory of the Marô’s history, but also a major birdwatching site in the Vendée.
By the end of your visit, you’ll know everything there is to know about the Marais Breton Vendéen!
A vacation in the Marais Breton Vendéen is an immersion in nature, in a naturally living marshland.
Discover the biodiversity of the site, a paradise for birds, either on the water (by canoe, paddle, kayak, etc.) or on foot, horseback or bike.
But the Marais Breton Vendéen would not be what it is without its inhabitants. Don’t hesitate to visit the pretty ports, towns and villages of the marshes.
They’ll be delighted to help you discover local products. You’ll be able to sample a number of specialties, including tasty Vendée Atlantique oysters, Maraîchin flan, salt of course, the “white gold” of the marshes, and samphire, which grows only in salty environments.
The Marais Breton Vendéen is a wonderful destination for a vacation in a unique, unspoilt natural environment, offering a wide range of activities for the whole family.
