# Marais Poitevin at Coulon

> According to the Routard guide, the Marais Poitevin is the second-largest wetland in France and spreads across the départements of Deux-Sèvres, Vendée and…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/marais-poitevin-coulon/

A network of green canals shaded by ash and poplar trees, explored in flat-bottomed boats pushed by a pole. The quiet punt trips run from spring to autumn and give a very different France from the coast nearby.

According to the Routard guide, the Marais Poitevin is the second-largest wetland in France and spreads across the départements of Deux-Sèvres, Vendée and Charente-Maritime. Its best-known part is called the "Venise verte", the Green Venice, and Coulon is regarded as its main village. A branching network of canals, known as "conches" and "rigoles", is lined with pollarded ash and poplar trees that form dense green tunnels.

You can explore the waterways in flat-bottomed boats, the "barques", which are propelled and steered with a long pole, the "pigouille". Several landing stages ("embarcadères") serve as starting points for guided trips or for punting yourself. The waterways are suited to visits from spring to autumn. If you stay longer, you will find more waterside villages, including Arçais, La Garette and Damvix.

- **Nearest town:** Coulon, France
- **Category:** Nature & parks
- **GPS:** 46.3112, -0.5906

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **France: Motorway tolls.** Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## Sources

- [Marais mouillé et Venise verte – Routard](https://www.routard.com/fr/guide/france/poitou-charentes/marais-poitevin/marais-mouille-et-venise-verte)

## Nearby

- [Île de Ré](https://camping-spirit.com/places/ile-de-re/) – 61 km
- [Fontevraud Abbey](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b12-fontevraud/) – 108 km
- [Royal Fortress of Chinon](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b12-chinon-fortress/) – 114 km
- [Château d’Ussé](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b12-usse/) – 124 km

## FAQs

### Where is Marais Poitevin at Coulon?

Marais Poitevin at Coulon is in Coulon, France, at GPS 46.3112, -0.5906. It is about 46 km from La Rochelle.

### Can you camp near Marais Poitevin at Coulon?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping l’Îlot du Chail, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Marais Poitevin at Coulon?

Places worth a stop nearby: Île de Ré (61 km), Fontevraud Abbey (108 km), Royal Fortress of Chinon (114 km) and Château d’Ussé (124 km).

### When is the best time to visit Marais Poitevin at Coulon?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)