Marais de la Seudre

Description

Covering more than 10,000 hectares around Marennes, Saint-Just-Luzac, Nieulle-sur-Seudre, and Le Gua, the Seudre Marshes are one of the most important wetlands in France.

During the Roman era, this vast area was converted into salt marshes, which were the source of the Saintonge region’s wealth until very recently. Starting in the 17th century, part of the marshes began to be transformed into oyster beds, an activity that came to dominate all others beginning in the 19th century.

The saltworks became “claires” or maturation ponds, where the Marennes-Oléron oysters develop their distinctive flavor.



Shaped over the centuries by human activity, this marshland is now home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Among the most common habitats are Mediterranean-type wet meadows, Atlantic salt meadows, alluvial forests, and coastal lagoons.

Frequented by numerous bird species, the Seudre Marsh is a key area for the breeding of both local and migratory birds (great egret, stork, Montagu’s harrier, peregrine falcon, etc.). The flora is diverse, as some plants thrive in brackish environments—such as glasswort—while others prefer freshwater habitats, like fennel and mustard, which add color to the salt marshes on sunny days.

Numerous walking trails will allow you to explore these unique natural areas.