The Marais de Reuves Nature Reserve

A short walk in the heart of a protected natural area, discovering the wetlands. A preserved area, rich in biodiversity, to be explored in spring or summer.

Details

124011
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 140 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 137 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Reuves (51120)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.801221° / E 3.812241°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2714E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

To reach the starting point, take the first small road on the right at the northern exit of the village of Reuves, towards Villevenard (signposted). Park on the small field at the "No Entry" sign. The "Welcome to the Sentier des Rainettes" sign is immediately visible on the left when coming from Reuves.

Red arrows on small signposts indicate the direction to follow.

(S) Start to the right of the information sign. Walk along a pond on your left. Turn left onto a small path between two ponds. At the end, turn left. Then turn left again to cross a stream over a small bridge. Turn right and at the T-junction with a wide path, turn left. You will reach a crossroads with a shelter on your right.

(1) Turn right and walk along a pond on your right. After a right-hand bend, at a fork, take the path on the right to go around some beehives. Cross a small reed bed on pallets, then walk along a meadow on your right. Go through the undergrowth and cross a chicane. Turn left with your back to the meadow on your right. Turn right to cross another chicane. Immediately on your left is a pond with an information panel.

(2) Turn your back on the pond and head east along a narrow path with a meadow fence on your right. You will come to a grassy lane, which you should follow to the right (south). Ignore a path on the left and continue to the crossroads near a shelter that you have already passed.

(1) Continue south and you will soon reach the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 140 m - Information panel Marais de Reuves
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 139 m - Pond - Shelter
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 139 m - Pond - Information board
  4. S/E : km 1.96 - alt. 140 m - Information panel Marais de Reuves

Notes

As a joint initiative of the Municipality of Reuves and the Champagne-Ardennes Natural Heritage Conservatory, the marsh is a protected nature reserve, listed in the Natura 2000 programme. Access is therefore regulated.

Please note:
- The marsh is only open to the public from 1 April to 30 August.
- Dogs are not allowed.
- Visitors are asked not to stray from the paths.
Please read the instructions on the sign at the start of the trail and follow them.

In the wettest areas, the path has been improved (with planks and pallets). However, the path just after the point (2) is usually under water. According to information gathered on site, it becomes fairly dry from mid-June onwards, but this depends on fluctuations in the water level throughout the marshes (for example, at the beginning of June 2015, there was 10 cm of water). Rubber boots are therefore recommended! Otherwise, don't be afraid to get your feet wet (but there is no risk of getting stuck, as the path is well maintained).

Shortly before the point (2), you will briefly cross the edge of a meadow which, when open to the public, is grazed by cows: please do not disturb these peaceful ruminants. Due to the nature of the environment and the presence of cattle, various species of insects are noticeable along this route: if you are sensitive to them, take appropriate measures.

Bench, picnic tables and bins (selective sorting) at the edge of the pond just after the start and at point (1). Shelter at point (1).

Hike completed by the author on 4 June 2015.

Worth a visit

The time indicated is walking time, without breaks. Feel free to stroll, look, smell, listen... The pleasure of this walk lies in observing nature.

Several information boards provide details about the environment, flora and fauna, as well as the management and use of this area.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Camille.c0812
Camille.c0812

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We had a lot of trouble completing the trail because of the marshes, with many areas covered in mud or water. There were also lots of mosquitoes. Perhaps we chose the wrong time of year? It's a shame because the setting is very beautiful, but we didn't enjoy the hike and instead tried to finish as quickly as possible to avoid being eaten alive by the mosquitoes.

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VDumoulin
VDumoulin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, very pleasant walk, well signposted and with very interesting information boards.
A very pretty spot. I saw two grey herons.
A wonderful discovery.

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rstovr
rstovr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short trail through a marshland rich in biodiversity, very well signposted (I didn't get lost... well, I don't think so ), suitable for all seasons... (well, as soon as it opens...)

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pavois51
pavois51

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful aspect of maintained and enhanced biodiversity. Excellent information panels.
Worth revisiting in different seasons.

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fpigier
fpigier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An exotic hike that combines a pleasant trail and informative signs with the discovery of the Saint Gond marshes, which we wanted to learn more about.
Very good, according to the general opinion of the group.

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Pablo0712
Pablo0712

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant short walk for the whole family... The route is very well maintained and clearly signposted.

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virgule
virgule

The advantage is that now there should be no more insects.

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liquidambar
liquidambar

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nothing to complain about.
Thanks to the person who suggested these two hikes.

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virgule
virgule

I admit that I find it impossible to follow a description...

The trail is very well laid out, but because of the insects, we don't linger to read the explanations. The superb carnation (the marsh's emblematic plant) is not yet in bloom.

Everything is extremely dry, and we can see that the water level has dropped by about 30 cm since winter.

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Netra
Netra ★

Thank you, Virgule, for clarifying the dry passage (at the beginning of June, there was still water). And insects, yes... there are plenty! And, indeed, the markings on site, discreet but present where needed, make it easy to follow the route. But we must set an example by writing clear descriptions, even when there are good markings.

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virgule
virgule

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short, very interesting and well-marked route. In fact, if you follow the signs, you don't need a map or description.

As of 25 June, you can walk everywhere without getting your feet wet. However, the insects are quite fierce, so be sure to protect yourself. Very beautiful orchids at the end of their flowering season.

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virgule
virgule

To be continued

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