From Port d'Aziré to Marais des Nattes

Walking along the Rigole d'Aziré to the Courdault canal, then returning via the Marais des Nattes, you may spot some nutria, purple herons or lapwings, and perhaps even a deer or two.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 2 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 2 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the port of Aziré, a village located about 4 km from the town of Benet.

(S/E) Go around the port and take the grassy path that runs along the left bank of the Rigole d'Aziré.

(1) Turn left onto a small path that goes around the fishing ponds and then return to the left onto the path that runs alongside the Rigole d'Aziré.

(2) Take the chain boat (Rosalie) to cross, then continue left on the other bank. (You can stay on the left bank until the Sainte-Christine bridge)

(3) Cross the road and continue along the path opposite, still following the Rigole d'Aziré. Join the Courdault canal.

(4) Turn right onto the road, then right again before the bridge to descend onto the grassy (and sometimes slightly muddy) path that runs alongside the Courdault Canal. Continue until you reach the small tarmac road.

(5) Leave the tarmac road and turn right onto the path towards the chain boat (red sign). Reach the ford.

(6) Cross the ford using the chain boat (in rainy weather, water may stagnate in the boat. If possible, bring a bailer, otherwise see an alternative route in the practical information section). Continue along the path which joins another path opposite a private property on the left. Continue straight ahead to reach the road.

(7) Cross it and take Rue des Plantis almost opposite in the hamlet of Les Nattes. Follow the street for about 300 metres, then turn right and cross the bridge.

(8) Take the path on the left immediately after the bridge. Once you reach the entrance to a pasture, take the path that runs along the fence at the edge of the Conche des Nattes. Stay on this path, which crosses one or two footbridges before joining the path along the Rigole d'Aziré (watch out for nutria holes).
After the last footbridge, turn left and follow the Rigole d'Aziré to the wash house to return to the starting point (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Port d'Aziré car park
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 2 m - Trail start
  3. 2 : km 1.09 - alt. 3 m - Chain boat
  4. 3 : km 2.36 - alt. 4 m - Sainte-Christine Bridge
  5. 4 : km 4.01 - alt. 6 m - Bridge - Route D68a
  6. 5 : km 5.45 - alt. 2 m - Start of the path to the chain boat
  7. 6 : km 6.31 - alt. 2 m - Chain boat
  8. 7 : km 7.24 - alt. 5 m - Crossing the road
  9. 8 : km 7.62 - alt. 2 m - Path on the left
  10. S/E : km 9.48 - alt. 4 m - Port d'Aziré car park

Practical information

(S/E and: 2) Picnic areas with tables and toilets.

Alternative route: (if it is not possible to cross with the chain boat)
At point (5), continue straight on the small road to the port of Courdault. Go up Rue Centrale to the D104C. Turn right at the stop sign. Then take the second street on the right and, at the bottom of the street, continue on the path on the left. Pass the hamlet of La Garenne and turn right after 300 metres onto a white path. Continue a little further to the left until you rejoin the original route 200 metres before the point (7)
This alternative route adds 1.6 km to the circuit.

In the nearby area

The wet marshland provides ideal conditions for attracting a variety of wildlife. However, you must be very discreet.
The diversity of plant species and the presence of rare and protected species are characteristic of the Marais Poitevin ecosystem.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Fred/Véro
Fred/Véro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk starting from the charming Port d'Aziré. Almost the entire route runs alongside canals, which are sometimes dry at this time of year (best to do this walk in autumn or spring). The natural surroundings are lush and rich in flora and fauna. The path is dotted with two chain boats and the footbridges along the Aziré canal blend perfectly into the landscape. An attractive and varied hike.

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Patrice 17
Patrice 17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant, bucolic and varied hike
A very good time

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Ptilapin
Ptilapin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely walk in the marshes that led me to discover Rosalie

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Maurice67
Maurice67

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk through the marshes and along the canal. Not very busy. Discover the chain boat for crossing part of the marshes.

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LoJP
LoJP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

With a small group of friends, we enjoyed a pleasant walk along the coves with a much-appreciated chain boat crossing
A little-used route, often in the shade, which was welcome as it was very hot
Picnic by the water after the hike
Thank you for this wonderful suggestion

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caramel17
caramel17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk. The downside is the lack of water in the marsh during this year of drought.

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larochenet
larochenet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and enjoyable hike on this November day: footbridges, paths through the marshes, wash houses... The season hasn't been too rainy this year, otherwise I imagine that some sections could be problematic in winter when the water levels rise.

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roche serge
roche serge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant landscape, especially with the autumn colours. The route is interesting because it is varied.

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randonneurs.DS
randonneurs.DS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Hiking in nature, without any difficulty.
Always close to the water, or even on the water (chain boat for a very short crossing)

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fitness
fitness

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We took a variation of this route, starting from the car park at the fountain west of Courdault (picnic area). From there, we headed to the port of Coudault, followed the Vieille Autise canal on the left bank to point 4, where we joined this route. This variation requires a return trip to the port of Aziré and extends the distance to 13 km if travelled in its entirety.
The long straight stretch along the Autise Canal is a bit boring.

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mifo10
mifo10

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful, relatively easy walk that gives you a good idea of the work done by our ancestors to make this land usable. Remember that in order to navigate the canals, they dug and moved an incredible amount of earth and mud by hand. Let's hope there will always be enough people to maintain this landscape!
It is also interesting to learn about the history of the Vieille-Autise Canal. Wikipedia provides the essential information:

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josiane cousin
josiane cousin
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

nice walk, apart from the canal being a bit monotonous

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aba79
aba79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk in a part of the marshland that I didn't know. A beautiful variety of landscapes in a peaceful environment. I highly recommend this walk, which is not difficult at all!

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jacaumo
jacaumo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike, very well marked, but a little monotonous for my taste, especially along the canal and on the path to reach the chain boat.
the little village of Ste Christine is worth a detour.

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jlfaure
jlfaure

The footbridges have been restored. Beautiful and sturdy, they will withstand the coming storms! (see photos)

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