During this time much of the Marais Poitevin shuts down and the area has a completely different feel to the summer. It is utterly peaceful, often making it easier to see the wildlife including herons, woodpeckers and kingfishers. Spot deer on the bank and as the water clears of the green algae associated with the Marais, you can see fish, often schools of a hundred or more.
With the poplars, ash and willows leafless, the views stretch into the distance. The light is different too — it’s low and the brightness, less intense. The shadows of the trees are longer, and the reflection on the water is like a mirror. There is also the mist, every morning smoking up from the surface of the water.
If you want to see a different side to the Marais, this is a time to visit… When? The best time of day in September October is the middle of the afternoon, about 3-4pm In December, January and February, from midmorning to mid-afternoon, 10.30 and 3.30pm. l’embarcadère Cardinaud: guided tours in English or rent a boat.