LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE

We depart our ship by coach for the Marais Poitevin, a marsh area situated north east of La Rochelle, near Niort. The waterways are sometimes likened to the bayous of Cajun country, for man hardly appears to have made an impact on the landscape.

We depart our ship by coach for the Marais Poitevin, a marsh area situated north east of La Rochelle, near Niort. The waterways are sometimes likened to the bayous of Cajun country, for man hardly appears to have made an impact on the landscape. But unlike the bayous, this is not alligator-rich swampland! In fact, the mazes of canals are all man-made. They date from the Middle Ages, when monks started a huge project to drain the Golfe du Poitou. Local authorities regularly tend the avenues as though they were roads, which to all intents and purposes they are. The more picturesque name given to the area is ‘La Venise Verte’, or ‘Green Venice’. The land around here is waterlogged to such an extent that if you jump up and down on it, it moves! After an enjoyable traditional flat-bottomed boat tour, lasting approximately one hour, we will return to our ship in La Rochelle. Please note that this tour is subject to favourable weather conditions. Please be advised that no commentary is made during the boat trip to enable passengers to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the marshes. This tour does involve approximately 1 hour of walking in Coulon.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2007 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES