In the wet marshland of Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud

As you follow this route through the wet marsh, you will discover its unique features, such as the trous de bris (former clay extraction sites used for tile manufacturing until the 1980s), poplar groves and a wide variety of plants and animals.

Details

n°921770

Creation:
05 Jan 2018

Last update:
–

Last review:
05 May 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 11.33 km
Average duration: 3h 15
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 4 m
Descent: - 4 m
Highest point: 8 m
Lowest point: 2 m

Country: France
Area: Marais Poitevin
District: Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud (79210)
Start/End: N 46.264495° / W 0.713757°
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Description of the walk

Park in the Place de la Mairie car park.

(S/E) Opposite the town hall, turn right and take Chemin de la Gare before the school. Continue along the white path.

(1) Turn left and cross the D101 to reach Rue du Grand Pré. Turn right and then leave the street that leads to the old tile factory and turn left. Then take the second street on the right, Rue du Marais Sauvage, and continue along this road through the countryside to the hamlet of La Devise.

(2) Turn left to enter the Marais des Rivières. After the footbridge, on the right is the Marais de la Fille.

(3) At Les Grandes Mottes, notice the first quarry pits on the left, which have become ponds where swans sometimes swim. Continue along the path to the right and then to the left.

(4) Stay on the white path to the left.

(5) Leave the path on the right and turn left, staying on the winding path.

(6) Leave the path on the right and continue straight ahead.

(7) Turn left, leaving the path on your right.

(8) After a footbridge and a right turn, turn left, staying on the white path.

(9) Leave the white path and take a path on the right after the picnic table. Walk along the lake, then around the meadow before crossing the footbridge over the Canal de Forge. Continue to the road.

(10) Take the road to the left to the village of Monfaucon.

(11) Continue left onto Rue de la Venise Verte.

(12) Turn right onto Route du Pont de Paire and head for Place de la Mairie (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Town Hall Square
1 : km 0.85 - alt. 6 m - On the left - tarmac road
2 : km 2.4 - alt. 5 m - On the left - path to the marsh
3 : km 3.75 - alt. 2 m - Right turn - Les Grandes Mottes
4 : km 4.88 - alt. 2 m - Turn left at the fork
5 : km 5.05 - alt. 2 m - Turn left at the fork
6 : km 5.49 - alt. 2 m - Straight ahead - Chemin blanc
7 : km 5.92 - alt. 2 m - Turn left at the fork
8 : km 6.21 - alt. 2 m - Turn left at the fork
9 : km 9.38 - alt. 3 m - Turn right at the fork in the path
10 : km 9.76 - alt. 4 m - Turn left onto the road
11 : km 10.4 - alt. 6 m - On the left Rue de la Venise Verte
12 : km 11.03 - alt. 5 m - On the right, take the Route du Pont de Paire
S/E : km 11.33 - alt. 6 m - Town Hall Square

Notes

This route follows the Rando en Deux-Sèvres certified route entitled "Discovering the Marais Sauvage" available on the Deux-Sèvres Department's hiking website
http://randoendeuxsevres.fr/index.php

Worth a visit

The old tile factory that exploited the clay from the marsh until the 1980s.
The wet marsh and its distinctive features, such as the clay extraction pits: (3), (4), (5) and (6).
The vegetable gardens.
The poplar groves, the rich flora (flowering rush, false azure iris, meadowsweet, comfrey, valerian)
The variety of wildlife (swans, herons, coypus, deer, etc.)

The Marais Poitevin, developed by man since the 12th century, is one of the richest wetlands on the Atlantic coast.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

BRASSAC MICHELE

05 May 2025 at 11:07 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We shortened this route by starting from La Rivière: 8 km. A very pretty route, especially in spring, but it must also be pleasant in summer as the path is shaded.

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PLP

15 Jul 2024 at 20:13 7200

Yes, indeed. But that requires more precise work to avoid the road. I think it has been developed more precisely. No hiking website offers a truly precise and specific route internally. This is a difference that should not be overlooked, as it makes a valuable distinction.
Thank you.
Best regards.

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jlfaure

15 Jul 2024 at 14:44 7200

Hello,
Google Maps offers a choice of routes on foot, by bike and even by train when possible.
Have a nice day.

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PLP

15 Jul 2024 at 13:34 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, everyone.
For Visorando. You simply need to improve the connections to get to the start of a hike. Currently, you are redirected directly to road sites. I think you should offer an option to get there on foot (trails, across fields) without using the road network, even if it takes a little longer.
Thank you.
Best regards.

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Flynnaloard

13 Apr 2023 at 13:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike for beginners. The start of the trail to La Devise is not particularly interesting and the markings are vague – unlike the rest of the walk. Listen carefully in the Marais Sauvage, and don't hesitate to take a short detour at point 6 to the Rigole de la Garette bridge to see some herons. Otherwise, the route is quite far from the main canals and their wildlife. The route is more suitable for cyclists than hikers.

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Fram

11 Jul 2022 at 08:21 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The markings are no longer visible in some places, very shady but not enough places by the water

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Alain AMOSSE

18 Apr 2022 at 11:32 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A somewhat monotonous path

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solignat

30 Aug 2021 at 09:07 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very pleasant route that can be done on foot or by bicycle; I did it on foot and it was very enjoyable; there are many shaded areas, which is much appreciated!

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Kilometrezero

11 Aug 2021 at 21:25 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Quite popular with cyclists. A little monotonous, but the path, often sandwiched between two streams, is mostly shaded, with few or no mosquitoes. Before arriving in Rivière, don't miss the path on the right after the launch site to finish the hike through St Hilaire. Very "rolling" path, rather refreshing with a few tables or places to rest and eat. A good path to warm up your legs as it is not difficult.

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josiane cousin

09 Aug 2021 at 08:47 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk in the marshes, not difficult, the only downside being the arrival via Monfaucon along a road that is not particularly interesting.

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zafion

29 Mar 2021 at 18:03 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy, pleasant walk in the marshes. The only downside is that it is very well signposted at the start but rather sparse in the marshes themselves. It is difficult to get lost as you follow the main path, but it may be unsettling for beginners
Thanks again

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Bertrand94

06 Mar 2021 at 11:18 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk on an easy route through marshland and fields. It is very peaceful, and you can hear the birds singing. Some of the fields were flooded, but not the path. There was no vegetation at this time of year, but that also has its winter charm.

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Cmarsil

14 Dec 2020 at 09:48 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An excellent view of the marsh, perfect for getting to know the area away from the tourist spots.
It's impossible not to follow this one and only (or almost) "white" path when it's not too wet.

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Pierrefifteen

05 Jun 2019 at 22:41 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful walk through the marsh; ideal weather conditions for light effects and reflections.

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isai

03 Jun 2019 at 15:41 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

I found the route disappointing because there was nothing special to discover

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