Circular route around the Étier du Marais d’Écoué, starting from Baude

The start is in front of the Baude Communal Marsh, on Rue du Communal. There is a car park in front of the marsh (except in front of the gate used to let livestock in), as well as two picnic tables opposite the marsh under the trees. Another large car park is 100 m away, near the paper and glass recycling bins.

This route is unmarked: please ignore any existing signposts (the Baude Marshes route and the Challon route)

(S/E) The starting point is at the signpost marking the start of a walking route. Walk alongside the communal grounds to the footbridge at the far end of the grounds.

(1) Cross the footbridge and take the path on the right along the embankment. Continue along the embankment to the next footbridge, situated on the left opposite a trail sign.

(2) Cross it. Opposite this footbridge, walk alongside a cultivated field.

(3) Walk alongside a small wood and turn left onto a poorly maintained path. Follow this path, which is grassy and damp at first, then stony.

(4) Continue straight on along the white path.

(5) At the fork, take the path on the left

(6) Cross the Pont de Bois and turn left. The path passes in front of a house.

(7) At a place called Tapecul, after the stone bridge, turn left to rejoin the Écoué embankment.

(8) On the path, you’ll come across an information sign with a footbridge. Do not take it; carry on straight ahead.

(1) When you reach the footbridge from the outward journey, cross it again, heading towards Baude, to return to the starting point via the same route in reverse (S/E).

Do not walk this route in winter if the marsh is flooded, particularly along the path that runs alongside the woodland: a short section may be very wet.

In summer, it’s best to do this walk in the morning because of the mosquitoes.

There are numerous nutria burrows on the embankment.

This is also the starting point for two other yellow-marked trails: the Baude municipal trail, between the plain and the marsh, and the Montreuil Marsh trail

Various crops grown on the marshland, which dries out as the seasons change.

Birds on the embankment. Heronry. Livestock on the communal land.

Marsh flora. Several species of orchids on the embankment.