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Nature trails in the Charente estuary |
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The Charente estuary is a
privileged habitat for all sorts of
birds and other flora and fauna. The glamour
and beauty of the coastline are not far away, with
Vauban’s fort in Fouras, the commanding views of
Fort Boyard of television fame, and the Île d’Aix
contrasting with the fragile ecosystem of the
marshlands around Rochefort.
Around the Fouras marshes you get a taste of the
traditional way of life on this reclaimed land.
Originally, the area was drained to wipe out malaria
and, if scenes of ‘Great Expectations’
jump to mind when you come here, then
it’s not surprising to learn that prisoners (forçats)
were forced to dig the dykes which still irrigate
the land.
A network of walking and cycling trails leads to
the river Charente and into Rochefort. In spring,
the area around the marshes shelters lizard,
pyramid and butterfly orchids. And a little later in
the season – June to July – you can marvel at the
intense blue of the marsh iris.
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