Covering 4 hectares and classified as a National Nature Reserve, Aiguillon Bay is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. You enter a magical place between land and sea, between fresh and salt water, a transition between the continent and the ocean. With the tides, Aiguillon Bay submerges and uncovers itself, creating a lunar landscape marked by vast expanses of mudflats and salt meadows.
Aiguillon Bay, naturally wild
This coastal area in northern Charente-Maritime extends about twenty kilometers from La Rochelle, at the mouth of the Sèvre Niortaise River, the backbone of the Marais Poitevin , which forms the border between the Vendée and Charente-Maritime departments. The area is sparsely urbanized, giving way to a preserved natural landscape where pebble beaches, cliffs, marshes, and fields of grain coexist. This haven for migratory birds allows more than 230 species to enjoy diverse landscapes in complete tranquility and abundant food resources.
A bit of history
The bay's current appearance is due to the successive construction of dikes that silted up a large part of the former "Gulf of the Pictons," creating the Marais Poitevin. Composed mainly of mudflats and salt marshes, the Bay of Aiguillon, a basin shared with the neighboring department of Vendée, covers nearly 5,000 hectares. With a production reaching 10,000 tons per year, the site is also the leading mussel farming area in France. From the port of Charron, you can watch the bouchot mussel farmers bringing their boats in and capture the light of the sunset.
Birdwatching
A true migratory crossroads for birds from Northern Europe, Siberia, and Canada, Aiguillon Bay has been classified as a national nature reserve and is coveted by birdwatching enthusiasts. Autumn is a particularly popular time for experts and amateurs alike, when nearly 100 wintering birds come to seek refuge there. Depending on the season, the weather, and the tides, birdwatching is different every day. All winter long, you can admire thousands of waterbirds, whether resident, migrating, or wintering, such as the Common Shelduck, the Green-winged Teal, or the Black-bellied Plover.
In spring, as Aiguillon Bay is located on a major migratory route, species from the African continent heading north stop for a few days or stay to breed in the marsh. This is the case for the Black Tern, the Bluethroat and the Kentish Plover.
Summer is not the best time to observe birds, due to the heat, but the species that have taken up residence in the marsh see their young born in spring grow up, such as the Pied Avocet or the Marsh Harrier.
At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the many species coming from the north and flying towards the African continent stop here for a few days, benefiting from favorable conditions, such as the osprey and the Aquatic Warbler, the rarest passerine bird in Europe!
The opinion of the Local Counter
Birdwatching is a magical experience for all ages. Bring a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to observe birds in their natural habitat without disturbing them. In the Aunis Marais Poitevin, the port of Le Pavé in Charron is a great vantage point; you can find all the sites on the Nature Reserve map . The best time to go is two hours before or after high tide.
The various observation sites are located in protected areas, and access to them may be regulated. Guided excursions are available with the Aiguillon Bay National Nature Reserve:
Can I fish in Aiguillon Bay?
As the Bay of Aiguillon is a national nature reserve, fishing is strictly regulated. Shore fishing is permitted only during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset. The permitted sizes and quantities for each species are very specific. Please note that shore fishing is prohibited within 25 meters of marine aquaculture concessions (oyster beds, raised oyster beds, mussel beds, fish weirs, etc.), even if these areas are not currently in use. Don't forget to pick up the regulations for shore fishing and the tide times at our local shops!
Put on your boots, grab your basket, of course check the tide times and head to Pointe Saint-Clément in Esnandes for some shore fishing.