Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France, the Deux-Sèvres department offers a beautiful stopover just 30 minutes from La Rochelle. An ideal destination for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, the lush green countryside is ideal for a multitude of outdoor activities. This is where you'll find part of the fascinating landscape of the Marais Poitevin, or Green Venice. To round off your visit, take a stroll through one of the region's remarkable heritage towns. And don't forget to travel through history and meet the animal species that populate European lands. Are you looking for a future destination for a vacation with your family, your partner or your friends? Come and discover the many facets of the Deux-Sèvres region.
1. Discover the Marais Poitevin
Designated a Regional Nature Park and Grand Site de France, the Marais Poitevin is a timeless destination! A must for any vacation in the Deux-Sèvres region. A trip to France's second-largest wetland gives you the chance to follow the canals in a boat, with only the shady trees and local wildlife for company. The Marais Poitevin is a splendid bird sanctuary. You can also discover the countryside along the banks, on foot, by bike or with a donkey that children can ride. And why not take a hot-air balloon ride over these bucolic landscapes?
To find out more about the special features of these natural landscapes, visit the Maison du Marais Poitevin! As for the charming and atypical villages of the Marais Poitevin, they reveal their heritage as much as their local gourmet specialties.
2. Go to Zoodyssée, European wildlife zoo
In Villiers-en-Bois, Zoodyssée is an animal park dedicated to European wildlife. Covering more than 30 hectares, in the heart of the Chizé state forest, visitors can enjoy a delightful stroll and get up close to a variety of species: bears, wolves, owls, lynxes, bison, magots, otters, raccoons, marmots, reptiles, storks and many other birds. Each of them evolves in a natural environment close to its natural habitat. Children are also delighted to visit the mini-farm, where they can pet a sheep, guinea pig or goat. A variety of activities are also on offer, including horse-drawn carriage rides, a day in the shoes of a professional animal caretaker, and human-animal encounters to learn more about certain species.
3. Stroll through Les Petites Cités de Caractère
Deux-Sèvres boasts no fewer than ten towns with the Petite Cité de Caractère® label. These are towns whose cultural, heritage and historical riches are definitely worth a visit. Coulon, capital of the Marais Poitevin, shines with its church, alleyways and stroll along the Sèvre Niortaise. The town of Melle has preserved an exceptional heritage from its past as a flourishing medieval town, including three magnificent Romanesque churches. Later, in Saint-Loup-Lamairé, you'll enjoy wandering through narrow, flower-filled streets and contemplating traditional 15th and 16th century timber-framed houses. Then there's Celles-sur-Belle, whose royal abbey is well worth a stop. Or Mauléon, with its rocky outcrop overlooking the pretty Ouin valley.
4. Stroll through the Musée des Tumulus de Bougon
A visit to the fascinating Musée des Tumulus de Bougon is a must when visiting the Deux-Sèvres region. On the one hand, the museum gives an insight into the culture and way of life of Neolithic man. But it's also here that we discoverone of the world'soldest examples of funerary architecture, with circular and elongated tumuli built in the5th millennium BC. The state of preservation of these monumental stone and earth burials is quite simply exceptional. Discovering the museum and its exhibitions, the tumuli and the botanical garden offers a gentle journey back to prehistoric times. Tours, children's workshops, summer demonstrations... the site captivates the attention of young and old alike. What's more, in 2023, the Musée des Tumulus de Bougon celebrates its 30th anniversary with a host of events.
5. Discover the Deux-Sèvres by bike
The Deux-Sèvres is a great place to leave the car behind and enjoy long, beautiful bike rides. Several "voies vertes" run along river banks, through forests and deep into unspoilt countryside. An opportunity to appreciate the diversity of the department's landscapes. Deux-Sèvres also boasts no fewer than 3 Véloroutes. The Véloroute du Thouet follows the course of the eponymous river, taking in magnificent landscapes of valleys and vineyards, as well as historic sites such as the Château d'Oiron. The Véloroute du Marais Poitevin, meanwhile, takes in the unique character of the Green Venice, with its canals, wetlands, flora and fauna. Finally, there's the Vélo Francette. Linking the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean, this cycling tour of the Deux-Sèvres passes through towns such as Parthenay, Niort and Coulon. It offers a variety of landscapes, including verdant valleys, picturesque villages and historic sites.
