Deux-Sèvres: Marais Poitevin, cycling routes and cheese culture

In the Marais Poitevin, waterways, rows of trees, meadows and canals shape a landscape formed by human activity. There are also walking and cycling routes, museums exploring the area's history, and regional specialities. You can plan your trip to Deux-Sèvres around your interests, whether you are most drawn to the marshland, outdoor activities, culture or cuisine.

Marais Poitevin: water, meadows and routes

The Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park extends across 88 municipalities in Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and Vendée. Within Deux-Sèvres, 11 municipalities are part of the designated Marais mouillé poitevin area. The wetlands of the Marais Poitevin cover 28,000 hectares of canals, wooded plots and natural meadows. In the Marais mouillé poitevin, the landscape is a human-shaped patchwork of waterways, rows of trees and meadows.

The drained marsh areas have their own character, too: straight canals and reed beds define them, and cycling and observing plant life are among the activities available here. Coulon is a starting point for exploring the Marais Poitevin. The approximate journey time to Deux-Sèvres is under two hours from Paris and Bordeaux, and about 30 minutes from La Rochelle.

Plan your walks and cycle rides

Deux-Sèvres has 288 marked circular walking routes, covering a total of 4,713 kilometres. The département regularly updates the route markings. In addition, the network includes 2,500 kilometres of signposted and maintained trails for cycling, walking and horse riding. A dedicated walking route explores the historic residences of Cherveux.

For a longer cycling trip, the Vélo Francette runs for more than 150 kilometres through the département, from Thouars to the Marais Poitevin. The full 608-kilometre route runs from Ouistreham to La Rochelle and passes through the Marais Poitevin. For a shorter ride, the Parthenay-Bressuire greenway is 31 kilometres long. Check current route conditions and facilities before making detailed plans.

Museums spanning prehistory and life in the marshes

The Musée des Tumulus de Bougon presents human history from its origins through to the Neolithic period. The museum is less than 150 metres from Véloroute 94. Family workshops offer the chance to discover and try out prehistoric techniques; check the dates separately.

The Maison du Marais Poitevin explores the landscape and life in the marshes. Museum topics include the Maraiscope, boatbuilding, a traditional marsh house, the life of eels and fishing techniques. Together with the museum in Bougon, it offers a choice between natural and cultural history on the one hand, and human prehistory on the other.

Goat's cheese and regional cuisine

In Deux-Sèvres, Chabichou, Mothais sur feuille, and goat's cheeses shaped as logs and pyramids are considered emblematic. Chabichou du Poitou AOP is a raw-milk cheese made from whole goat's milk. Its production, manufacture and maturation area is mainly in Deux-Sèvres and Vienne. Mothais sur feuille is cylindrical and flat, made from raw whole goat's milk and matured on a chestnut leaf. Its production area covers 237 municipalities in five départements, including Deux-Sèvres. Parthenaise beef is also one of the département's meat specialities.

Woodland and family activities

At Zoodyssée, Odyssée des Forêts is an immersive ten-hectare woodland area featuring European forest species. Graine d’Odyssée offers a mini-farm, animal areas and sensory play spaces for young children. Animal presentations and facilities may change over time; check which activities are currently available before visiting.

By prioritising these interests, you can choose destinations and activities in Deux-Sèvres to suit your stay.

Discover more destinations: Sauzé-Vaussais, Maisonnay, Vallans, Saint-Vincent-La-Châtre, Ardilleux, La Chapelle-Gaudin, Neuvy-Bouin, Marigny, Saint-Coutant, La Boissière-En-Gâtine, Saint-Aubin-Du-Plain, Les Alleuds, Périgné, Nueil-Les-Aubiers, Villiers-En-Bois, Bessines, Usseau, Vasles, Boussais, Chiché, Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay, La Coudre, Xaintray, Exoudun, Coulonges-Thouarsais, Cersay, Le Retail, Le Tallud, Saint-Maixent-Lʼécole, Combrand, Châtillon-Sur-Thouet, Pers, Sepvret, Faye-L'abbesse, Melle, La Chapelle-Pouilloux, Fontenille-Saint-Martin-d'Entraigues, Saint-Martin-de-Saint-Maixent, Saint-Georges-de-Noisné, Arçais, Vire, Coulonges-Sur-L'autize, Cerizay, La Chapelle-Thireuil, Pierrefitte, Saint-Pardoux, Airvault, Saint-Hilaire-La-Palud, Le Beugnon, Fors, Secondigny, Massais, Échiré, Pas-de-Jeu, Caunay, Gourgé, La Peyratte, Pompaire, Saint-Maxire, Cherveux, Le Bourdet, Fressines, Bouillé-Loretz, La Forêt-Sur-Sèvre, Pamproux, Moutiers-Sous-Chantemerle, Saivres, Ménigoute, Oiron, Scillé, Pouffonds, Clavé, Le Pin, Paizay-Le-Tort, Chizé, Irais, Saint-Georges-De-Rex, Paizay-Le-Chapt, Germond-Rouvre, Clussais-La-Pommeraie, Chenay, Messé, Surin, Sainte-Soline, Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan, La Mothe-Saint-Héray, Souvigné, Vouillé, La Crèche, Villiers-En-Plaine, Granzay-Gript, Thouars, La Ferrière-En-Parthenay, Chef-Boutonne, Les Forges, Moncoutant, Pressigny, Parthenay, Niort, La Guérinière, Chauray, Crézières, Étusson, Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes, Sainte-Néomaye, Les Groseillers, Fénery, Limalonges, Le Breuil-sous-Argenton, Augé, Saint-Aubin-le-Cloud, Saint-Pierre-des-Échaubrognes, Mazières-en-Gâtine, Saint-Germain-de-Longue-Chaume, Rom, Puihardy, Chantecorps, Bressuire, Argentière, Bouin, Mauléon, Celles-Sur-Belle, Hanc, Argenton-L'eglise, Lezay, Sainte-Gemme, Champdeniers-Saint-Denis, Coulon, Brion-Près-Thouet, La Chapelle-Saint-Laurent, Genneton, Saint-Maixent-de-Beugné, Azay-le-Brûlé, Pioussay, Le Busseau, L'absie, Beaulieu-sous-Parthenay, Saint-Loup-Lamairé.

For the wider travel overview: Poitou Charentes.