The Poitevin Marshes is a unique place in France. Also known as the Green Venice, this natural beauty is classified Regional Natural Park and labelled Grand Site de France. These commitments make this territory an exceptionally well-preserved place of which several actors and in particular local people, work on a daily basis to to safeguard this market garden land.
Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park
The Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park was created in 1979 to to protect this unique and protected natural and cultural heritage, located in the departments of Vendée, the Deux-Sèvres and the Charente-Maritime, in the west of France. It covers an area of more than 100,000 hectares, spread over 92 municipalities and consists of marshes, canals, rivers, meadows and forests. It should be remembered that it represents the first wetland on the Atlantic coast. He is known for his exceptional ecological wealth and is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species, as well as remarkable landscapes, as evidenced by the Grand Site de France label.
The Park is managed by a team of professionals under a joint association, who work in close collaboration with the local people to promote a sustainable development of the region, to save, restore and value This is the only way to preserve this natural and cultural heritage, while promoting economic and social development in the region.
Composition of the mixed syndicate :
- both Regions : Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays de la Loire
- the three Departments : Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and Vendée
- the Public Establishments of Intercommunal Cooperation (EPCI), in addition to the above, there are a number of other countries, each for their own jurisdictions, at their request, among those situated partly or wholly within the perimeter defined by ministerial decree of classification:
- the Chambers of Agriculture of the Charente-Maritime, the Deux-Sèvres and the Vendée
- the 92 member municipalities.
In 2014, the Marais Poitevin became the 49th Regional Nature Park in France. This label represents an excellent lever to pursue the environmental excellence and economic, through the many actions of The Park and its partners have undertaken to preserve and enhance the site.
The main missions of the Park :
- Economic development ;
- Protection of the natural heritage ;
- Spatial planning, energy and climate ;
- Environmental education and sustainable development.
Regional Nature Park Values Mark
The Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park officially hands over theince 2016 the national brand "Valeurs Parc Naturel Régional". for all the products, know-how and services of local professionals who are committed to the environmental protection, the well-being of residents and employees and the local economy.
To date, the Park has awarded the mark to more than 80 professionals offering food products, traditional and innovative know-how and tourist services.
To consult all the labelled structures "Regional Nature Park Values on the 3 departments forming the Marais Poitevin, click here.
Grand Site de France
The Grand Site de France label is a distinction granted to the most remarkable natural or heritage sites in France. This label was created in 2003 to highlight the most exceptional sites and promote sustainable and responsible tourism.
The Grand Site de France label is awarded by a national committee composed of representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Energy, the Ministry of Culture and Communication, as well as representatives of local authorities and scientific experts.
The criteria for awarding the label are based on :
- The quality of the site ;
- Its management ;
- Involvement of the local population ;
- The ability of the site to accommodate a large number of visitors while preserving its unique character and fragility.
The sites awarded the label must therefore put in place management actions to preserve their natural and cultural heritage, while developing environmentally friendly tourism activities.
This Grand Site de France label is a prestigious recognition for labelled sites that benefit from a increased national and international visibility, this is the only way to ensure the sustainability of the tourism sector, as well as the funding of sustainable tourism development projects.
There are currently 44 sites with the Grand Site de France label, these include the Poitevin Marshes, of course, but also Mont Saint-Michel, the Gorges du Verdon, the Pointe du Raz, the Cirque de Gavarnie, the Baie de Somme, the Calanques de Marseille, or the Puy de Dôme.
