Preparing your visit
Get ready to plunge into the heart of nature, between winding canals and unspoilt landscapes. Embark on an unforgettable adventure at the Maison du Marais by following our recommendations.
Planning a responsible holiday in the heart of the Audomarois marshlands
The marais Audomarois is one of the last cultivated market garden marshes in Europe and the only marsh classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in France. Preparing your stay at the Maison du Marais also means taking a few minutes to think about mobility, everyday actions and respect for the environment: the marsh is alive and fragile, and its balance depends in part on how we come here and what we do.
On this page you'll find practical tools to help you measure the impact of your visit, find a recharging point if you're arriving by electric car, and adopt the right habits when you're there. To find out more about the Pays de Saint-Omer as a whole (committed accommodation, nature trails, local producers), consult the Tourist Office's complete dossier
Assess the impact of your journeys
How much CO₂ does it take to get to the marsh? Compare modes of transport (car, train, bike, carpooling...) in just a few seconds using ADEME's official Impact CO₂ simulator. The figures are based on public data from the Base Carbone®.
Source : impactco2.fr - ADEME, public data under open licence.
Charging your electric car
Are you coming by electric car? The map below, powered by the Open Charge Map database (community open data), lists the recharging points around the Maison du Marais and the Pays de Saint-Omer. Click on a point to find out the wattage, type of socket and operator.
Source : openchargemap.org - open database under Creative Commons licence (CC BY-SA 4.0). The information is contributory; check availability with the operator before setting off
Further information: sustainable tourism in the Pays de Saint-Omer
The Pays de Saint-Omer Tourist Office has put together a comprehensive online dossier on sustainable tourism** in the area, including accredited accommodation, gentle itineraries, local producers and sites committed to preserving the biosphere. An excellent gateway to extending your stay around the Audomarois marshes in harmony with the nature that surrounds you
Frequently asked questions
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The boat trip lasts an hour at the Maison du Marais, but some special events can last longer
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Yes, dogs on leads are allowed throughout the Maison du Marais, the park, the exhibitions and on the boats.
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No, bacôves are large open boats with a flat bottom. So it's best to bring appropriate clothing for the weather, covering your head and staying hydrated in hot weather, or warm and/or waterproof clothing in cold or wet weather.
Please note, however, that the Maison du Marais can provide blankets and raincoats depending on the weather. However, personal clothing is preferable
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Yes, La Maison du Marais offers boats all year round, except for three weeks in January after the Christmas holidays when we are closed for the year.
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Yes, the trip will always be accompanied by a guide to pilot the boat and comment on the route. You can also ask our boatmen any questions you may have
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Booking is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended during busy periods if you want to be sure of boarding at a time you have chosen in advance.
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You can book your tickets by telephone on 03.21.11.96.10 or buy them directly from our website (payment by credit card). If you book by telephone, you can pay for your tour by credit card, cash, cheque or holiday vouchers at the ticket office.
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We can take twelve people per boat. There is no age limit for counting, so an infant will count as one person, so it will be necessary to select a ticket for each participant.
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There's no particular period or time of year. The best time to visit the Audomarois marshes is the time that suits you best. The landscapes and biodiversity vary throughout the year, depending on the seasons and the weather, making each visit a different experience.
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Lifejackets are compulsory for all children up to the age of 12. Adults are required by law to wear a lifejacket on board the boat, but it is up to the passenger to decide whether or not to do so.
It is advisable not to stand up or lean over the bench during the ride to avoid creating any movement. Despite this, the boat remains very stable, so there's no risk of marsh sickness.
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The Maison du Marais site has its own park, a thirty-minute walk (free access, dogs allowed, kept on a lead). A map of the park is available from the Maison du Marais reception desk.
From March to November, you can also visit the Étangs du Romelaëre National Nature Reserve, a 10-minute drive from the Maison du Marais, in the commune of Clairmarais, starting from the Grange Nature. This is a 4km walk on stilts through the wild eastern parts of the marsh.