The Marais Poitevin (Poitevin Marsh), also known as Venise Verte (Green Venice) is a marsh region in Western France, a remnant of the former Gulf of Poitou. With a surface area of 970 km², it is the largest marsh on the Atlantic coast and the second largest of the whole country. It is situated north of La Rochelle and south of the Vendée region. Although the area was declared a regional park (parc naturel régional) in 1979, it lost that status in 1996 as intensive agricultural development around the Marsh meant the unique character of the region was - and still is - endangered.
Tourism includes boating in traditional barques, which is a form of punting. There are several 'embarcadères', from which boats can be hired. The myriad canals are covered in green 'weed' (hence the nickname 'Venise Verte') and the drained marsh land is home to a varied fauna, best seen from the boats.
The Marais Poitevin is also the most important area of angelica cultivation in France.
Coordinates: 46°20′N 0°40′W / 46.333, -0.667
Source: CIA Factbook, Wikipedia
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