Discover Marans

Located 23 km from La Rochelle, Marans is a charming port in Charente-Maritime that’s well worth a visit. If you’re visiting the Marais Poitevin, one of the region’s must-see tourist attractions, make sure you stop off in this small village in western France, which is brimming with wonders. Just 43 km from our campsite on the Ile de Ré, the town of Marans is well worth a visit during your family vacation.

Visit the town of Marans

Situated at a crossroads with the ocean, the town of Marans has many surprises in store, which you and your family can discover on a walk around the town near our campsite in Charente Maritime. Once dominated by a castle demolished by Louis XIII in the 17th century, this small Charente-Maritime commune near La Rochelle still retains a number of interesting buildings.

During your visit to downtown Marans, don’t miss the Hôtel de Ville gardens, home to over 300 plant species. Next, admire the 12th-century Saint-Étienne church. The steel and glass architecture of the church’s octagonal bell tower is sure to surprise you. A stroll along the quays and canals is a must, as is a visit to the Beauregard mill.

Stroll along the Marans harbour

The port of Marans, where the Sèvre Niortaise meets the canals (Canal de Marans, Canal de la Vieille Autise, Canal de Pomère), is a place dedicated to water sports. Your visit to this corner of the Charente-Maritime region will be the perfect opportunity to introduce the whole family to water sports such as kayaking, pedal-boating and canoeing.

To discover the magnificent, ever-changing landscapes and atmospheres that change with the water, you can also board a traditional boat. The nearby Écluses de Bazoin landing stage is the perfect starting point for this adventure.

Take a leisurely stroll through the maze of canals in the heart of the peaceful Poitevin marshlands!

Taste the products of Charente-Maritime

A visit to Marans and the surrounding Marais Poitevin is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of this region of France. Sample the Marans hen, prized for its meat and eggs, in a village restaurant. Its black plumage catches the eye, but it’s above all its eggs, with their russet shells and unique taste, that make it famous.

Want our opinion? Enjoy them as omelettes, fried or boiled. These eggs will delight your palate throughout your vacation in Charente-Maritime.

Another local delicacy, the bouchot mussel is cultivated in the Baie de l’Aiguillon. Planted on stakes called “bouchots”, these mussels are harvested in summer. Nicknamed “La Charron”, they can be recognized by their orange flesh and unrivalled flavor.

Contemplate a wealth of landscapes

The village of Marans is an ideal destination for exploring the Atlantic coastline and the Baie de l’Aiguillon National Nature Reserve. Located not far from La Rochelle, on the border between Charente-Maritime and Vendée, this region offers a unique natural setting, combining land and sea.

In and around Marans, you’ll be able to admire a varied landscape of sandy tongues, pebble beaches, mudflats and small cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean. These unspoilt environments are perfect for nature lovers and those in search of tranquillity.

Discover Marans‘ bike paths

Looking for things to do in Marans? How about cycling? From the port of Marans, hop on your bike and set off on an adventure along the canals and coastline, the region’s tourist hotspots. You’ll find plenty of tours for the whole family.

Here are just three examples:

From downtown Marans, a 6-kilometre stroll takes you northwards. You’ll follow the maritime canal, perfect for admiring the marsh and the Brault locks.
For a longer family outing, opt for the 23-kilometer Vélo Francette®. This route through the heart of nature follows the Sèvre Niortaise between the dry and wet marshes, offering an incomparable bucolic experience.
For those wishing to discover the Atlantic coast, take a section of La Vélodyssée® to the Bay of Aiguillon.

Now you know what to do in Marans, just a few kilometers from the Ile de Ré and La Rochelle, in the heart of the Marais Poitevin; plan a family trip there during your stay at our Les Varennes campsite!