The Marsh of Brouage

A dozen kilometres in the marsh of Brouage, an unforgettable drive

From Marennes, go north on the D3 road in the direction of Hiers and Brouage. After about 3 km, at the entry of the village of Hiers', level with the church, take the road to the left which leads directly to Brouage and go through Hiers and continue straight ahead on the D238.

Going along by the side of canals through the middle of the salted meadows, one finds here a landscape typical of the marsh area. After about 3 km on this D238, go left onto a small, very quiet road. Be careful not to miss it because the sign for Brouage is not easy to see. This small road leads to Brouage.

Every bend on these small sinuous roads brings a new delight. It is a paradise of herons, egrets, storks, …

At one moment, on your right-hand side, a short distance away, it is possible to see a nest of storks in a field. Near a small bridge on a canal, you will find a little information board which gives a summary of the wealth to be found in the marshes.

More than 150 types of birds

"More than 150 types of birds frequent the swamps of Brouage. It is a nesting place for herons and egrets.

As far as the white storks are concerned, they have nested there since 1978, helped by various bodies, notably the ornithological group Aunis-Saintonge which installs artificial nests for them.

At the present time, 15 pairs live on the marsh of Brouage .
There are plenty of sparrows to be seen as well as rarer species such as whiskered tits.

All of them find plenty of food and the insectivores do not hesitate to draw from the vast reservoir offered by lepidoptera, butterflies, and dragonflies. Marshes offer a very privileged environment for the preservation and development of a large variety of birds and are internationally of interest because they are used as a stopping place for large populations of migratory birds".

Notes