I’d been living in St Hilaire for over five years before I discovered up close the nearby marshes (I know, I hang my head in shame, but in my defence, most of the marshes are privately owned).

Jean-Claude from VisaVie in St Gilles Croix de Vie proposes a 90 minute boat trip starting with a visit of the marina before heading into the normally inaccessible marshes around the River Vie.  The boat (originally an oyster harvester) is uncovered in the summer, so bring a jumper, it can get a bit chilly!

Jean-Claude commentates in French.  There’s usually no English speaking guide in low season, but he hands out some great translated info on the flora and fauna, local salt marsh techniques and a bit of local history.  I was Jean-Claude’s English speaking guide a few summers ago and I got a completely different vision of my local environment!

Be warned, there are no toilets on board!  If you get down early, grab a coffee in the Crêperie des Iles just opposite.  And bring a pair of binoculars if you can!  Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot some African ibis - the story goes that they escaped from a reserve  and took a fancy to the marshes around St Hilaire de Riez!

Times vary weekly depending on tides.  Tickets on sale directly from the kiosk, Pont de la Concorde (near the big Post Office in St Gilles) or from the Agence Parenthèse, Rue Gautté.  No website for the moment.

You can call Jean-Claude directly on 06.60.69.80.13 to reserve.

Many thanks to Jean-Claude for these great photos!