Want a nature getaway? to discover the local fauna and take a boat trip in the Marais Poitevin? All this is possible at the ornithological park of Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud!
With friends, we left at the end of the morning for the destination… the ornithological park! After a short journey through the wheat fields of parched swamp, here we are in the heart of wet marsh in this park which is home to hundreds of birds.
We were able to picnic there on one of the many picnic tables where you can have a snack, surrounded by birds.
We start by heading towards the pier where our boatman guide is waiting for us to show us around the Marais Poitevin in a boat with his pigouille. He first explains to us how the Marais Poitevin was formed over the centuries thanks to man and the various abbeys located in the area. Then we settle into the boat, amazed by the greenery and the passing landscapes.
Throughout the walk, we enjoy the silence of nature, only broken by the songs of the birds and the explanations of our guide. We see the hiding places used by birds to make their nests and learn the importance of trees in the balance of the marsh.
Walk on the water over, we go around the park in an hour; explanatory panels are there to give the characteristics of the birds and plants present. From time to time, we give way to ducks passing in front of us and we enter the large enclosures of majestic birds.
We end our visit by crossing the famous ''Momo's labyrinth'', perfect for children but also for older children with its playful and educational panels on bird migration. Good luck getting out of the maze!
After this beautiful day in the middle of nature, we returned satisfied with this moment spent among the birds. You can even watch a 20-minute film at the end of your visit if you wish. It provides a better understanding of the life and behavior of birds in the Marais Poitevin, over the course of a year.
Moreover, we went to this park at an ideal time since the month of May is the mating season. It is a park that I recommend if you want a fresh getaway in the middle of nature, in contact with animals in the Marais Poitevin.
