Marshes, storks and ancient abbey on Île Chauvet

A short walk in the heart of the marsh. Depending on the season, you may see storks, shelducks, ibises and all kinds of wading birds. The walk starts on the cycle path towards Bouin, and after the hamlet of Mon Désir, the return journey is via the stork trail.

Details

21294960
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.71 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park.

(S/E) Go through the barrier that restricts access to pedestrians and bicycles only, and take the track between the marshes.

(1) Ignore the hiking trail on the left that leads to the small mill and continue straight ahead on the cycle path.

(2) Cross the bridge towards an old building that you can see about 200 metres away. When you get close, turn right and head towards Mon Désir.

(3) Turn right and take the stork trail. After 100 metres, continue straight ahead in an east-southeast direction on the path, which turns into a grassy trail after the last house.

(4) When you reach the road, turn left and continue to the bend. Then leave the road and take the grassy path on the right.

(5) Leave the stork trail and head right towards the abbey, which you can see about 500 metres away.

(6) Turn right onto the road you come to, then right again at the crossroads to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.75 - alt. 3 m - Trail junction
  3. 2 : km 2.59 - alt. 3 m - Bridge and orientation table
  4. 3 : km 3.62 - alt. 3 m - Mon Désir
  5. 4 : km 4.7 - alt. 3 m - Route de Querray, on the left
  6. 5 : km 5.91 - alt. 3 m - Leave the stork trail
  7. 6 : km 6.4 - alt. 3 m - La Solitude, on the right
  8. S/E : km 6.71 - alt. 3 m - Car park

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
boucles d'or
boucles d'or

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful course with no difficulties whatsoever. I loved it.

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Virginie1160
Virginie1160

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with magnificent biodiversity for a short, easy, completely flat loop: nutria, numerous species of birds including herons, butterflies, cows. Be careful in hot weather, as there is no shade and the route consists mainly of small paths lined with water. We had a picnic in the shade along the road near the car park and the entrance to the abbey (not open to the public), where there are a few trees. Thank you to the author of this walk, which also delighted the friend who joined me.

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marcheuse54
marcheuse54

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through the marshes, with no difficulty whatsoever.

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Sarcelle toller
Sarcelle toller

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route taken at the end of March, feet stayed dry. Excellent description. No difficulties whatsoever!

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RAYMONDOL
RAYMONDOL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for the walk. It was nice to see the marsh.

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Pat et Agnes
Pat et Agnes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk in the marshes, easy and well signposted route, little shade, takes about 1½ hours.
Saw a stork... a peaceful walk for those who want a short route.

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Virginie24
Virginie24

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk through the marshes, even in July, with few other visitors. It took us much longer than the estimated time because we stopped to observe nature along the way. We saw several species of birds, including the famous storks, and some very beautiful landscapes.

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