Are you discovering the Marais Poitevin for the first time? Are you a connoisseur of channels? Don't hesitate to (re)set off on an adventure by boat through the wet marsh. Didier and Sylvie Vergnaud as well as their boatman guides, are waiting for you at the pier of their campsite “Le Lidon” in Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud, to offer you a moment of disconnection and a pleasant boat ride along the canals which border their property.
You have the choice between the traditional boat trip guided by an enthusiast who, while telling you the history of the marsh, maneuvers the boat using a pigouille: a pole used to propel it forward. Or rent a boat, to sail at your own pace and with the help of your muscles – which risk pulling if you start too quickly (!). Also called "flat", the name of this boat is due to its perfectly flat bottom which allows it to navigate in very shallow waterways.
This walk offers a change of scenery and adventure: in fact, for about an hour (or more, if you have small arms or you like to immortalize each little creature through your lens) you immerse yourself in the heart of the wet marsh. Don't panic, your feet will stay dry, we promise, as long as you don't move around in all directions. Perfect for sheltering you from the sun's rays, this walk takes place at water level, surrounded by the green landscape and overlooked by trees, as if the marsh was transformed into a cocoon of greenery around you.
This activity is perfect for spending a moment of sharing, relaxing, and even laughing with the family: it is rather advisable to avoid entering any trunks that obstruct your boat... It all depends on your dexterity and your coordination, because teamwork is essential to manage obstacles, speed and turns!
And if you are more comfortable on foot rather than in a boat, you can always explore the surrounding area by walking on the paths that run along the canals and fields, in order to stay close to the wildlife and the flora present in the marsh.
