May, 2006:

This beautiful park is approximately 60km (45 minutes) drive from Bellebouche.

The Parc Oriental de Maulevrier is thought to be the largest Japanese style park in Europe. It covers 28 hectares of beautiful landscaped gardens incorporating many Japanese traditional planting themes including some wonderous topiary. It was originally part of the Chateau Colbert grounds until the end of the 19th century. The chateau, with its wonderful statuary, can be seen overlooking the park. 12 hectares of the park form a conservation area which was conceived between 1900 and 1913 by Alexandre Marcel, a famous Paris architect.

The gardens offer you a visit rich in exotic planting, mysterious statues and a serene background to enjoy the unique landscape.

There are bonsais, ceramics, Ikebana demonstrations and a musical garden all to enjoy within the park as well as a traditional Japanese Tea House.

Each season offers new wonders – carpets of bluebells among the maples, spring blossom among the sculptured cherry trees, vibrant camellias and azaleas, beautifully scented wisterias dripping over bridges and pergolas, intense autumnal leaf colours and much much more.

There are many places to sit and just absorb the views and scents. The park has well signposted walks, long and short and there are also walks for the less able bodied visitor. Children are welcome and are given a visitor pack to complete during their visit.

In 2004 the garden was awarded the “Jardin Remarquable” label by the French Ministry of Culture. It is the first garden in the Loire region to receive this distinction.

The park is open from 1st March to 15 November – 1400-1800hrs but it is closed on Mondays. There are extended hours in July & August where it is open everyday from 1030-1930hrs. Entrance fee is 5.50 euros.

From 7 May to 30 September, on Saturdays only, the garden offers a “Jardin de Nuit” – the park is lit by various hidden lights and Japanese music is piped around the landscape offering a unique and enchanting visit. Entrance fee is 10.00 euros.

Les Oiseaux du Marais Poitevin – Parc Ornithologique is approximately 70kms (1 hour) drive away from Bellebouche.

A winding path takes you through 7 hectares of wild marsh, where you will find many different water birds enjoying the peace and tranquility of the park.

There are over 70 species including the eider duck, famous for its warm feathers, many varieties of geese and swans, including a couple of black swans and some herons and ibis – just to name a few.

There are many useful information panels along the pathway, to help you recognise the birds. These panels also include information on the bird’s behaviour, their distribution around the world and what times of year they can be found in the Marais Poitevin. There are also teaser panels, questioning you about the mysteries of some of the birds, with answers under flaps.

The park is full of plants and trees from the Marais Poitevin wetland. More than 30 can be found on information panels including their culinary and medicinal uses.

Near to the office is an area full of chickens and cockerals, all breeds from the Marans area. There is even a small family of “mairachins” – dwarf goats.

At the end of the visit you can watch a movie, in French, all about the Poitevin Marshes and the behaviour of the birds over the course of a year. The film contains some spectacular aerial footage of the landscapes and the photography of the birdlife is truly wonderful.

There are many places where you can stop and rest and absorb the peace and quiet of the park and observe the wildlife. There are also places where you can picnic and enjoy the scenery. There is a small shop selling drinks and ice-creams and eggs from the Marans hens. There are toilets by the office and all the paths are suitable for both pushchairs and wheelchairs.

The park is open from 1000 until 1900hrs up to Easter, thereafter is closes at 1930 until 15th September, thereafter it is only open 1400 until 1900hrs. It is closed on Mondays.