Where to watch our wildlife ? - Parc Naturel Régional des Marais du ...

Where to watch our wildlife ?
D I S C O V E R
sites to visit
interpretation trails
observation points
www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
N O R M A N D Y
M A R A I S D U C O T E N T I N E T D U B E S S I N P A R C N AT U R E L R É G I O N A L

PARC NATUREL RÉGIONAL DES MARAIS DU COTENTIN ET DU BESSIN
BARNEVILLE-
CARTERET
PORTBAIL
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
D 650
2
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
BRICQUEBEC
D 15
D 903
D 136
20
D 650
GRANVILLE
LE MONT ST-MICHEL
19
CHERBOURG-OCTEVILLE
D 900
D 72
D 900
La Douve
ST-SAUVEUR-
LE-VICOMTE
1
LESSAY
6
LA HAYE-
DU-PUITS
L’Ay
3
D 2
D 53
4
D 2
COUTANCES
Le Gorget
Lithaire
L’Ay
VALOGNES
SNCF
D 900
Le Merderet
D 15
D 24
Les Moitiersen-Bauptois
D 68
La Sèves
5
D 24
PÉRIERS
ST-SAUVEUR-
LENDELIN
COUTANCES
D 24
La Taute
N 13
La Douve
La Senelle
D 42
D 52
D 903
D 70
Vindefontaine
18
St-Martind'Aubigny
D 42
MONTEBOURG
Chef-du-Pont
La Sèves
La Venloue
N 13
D 57
La Sinope
Canal d’Auvers
La Taute
La Sèves
Le Mesnilbus
D 14
STE-MÈRE-
ÉGLISE
La Douve
D 971
D 70
Méautis
D 57
BARFLEUR
D 8
Le Lozon
D 15
Canal des Espagnols
D 29
Marchésieux
QUETTEHOU
D 14
Maison du Parc 14
7
Le Lozon
SNCF
D 29
N 13
CARENTAN
8
St-Andréde-Bohon
La Taute
Tribehou
MARIGNY
16
COUTANCES
D 900
D 421
La Terrette
La Terrette
D 913
Canal de Carentan à la Mer
9
Graignes-
Mesnil Angot
Marshlands,
between two coastlines…
RENNES
17
ancienne N 174
Canal de Vire et Taute
D 77
N 174
15
D 8
ancienne N 174
Baie
des Veys
La Vire
ISIGNY-
SUR-MER
L’Elle
La Vire
10
ST-JEAN-
DE-DAYE
La Vire
La Vire
SNCF
11
SAINT-LÔ
Neuillyla-Forêt
L’Aure
SNCF
Moonsur-Elle
D 6
D 11
VILLEDIEU-LES-POELES
A84 - LE MONT ST-MICHEL
D 5
12
D 113
ST-CLAIR-
SUR-L'ELLE
Environment and landscapes
D 514
L’Elle
L’Esque
13
Colombières
D 29
Marshlands
Foreshore
Fields F and hedgerows
Moor
Wood or forest
Dune or o beach
L’Esque
N 13
L’Aure
La Tortonne
D 5
TRÉVIÈRES
D 29
D 96
PORT-
EN-BESSIN
L’Aure
LE MOLAY-LITTRY
BAYEUX
CAEN
A 13 - PARIS
CAEN
PARIS
BAYEUX
CAEN
Introduction
1 The Mont de Doville p. 3
2 The Havre at Saint-Germain-sur-Ay p. 4
3 Mathon peat bog p. 6
4 The Lande du Camp p. 7
5 Saint-Patrice-de-Claids heaths p. 8
6 Sursat pond p. 9
7 Rouges-Pièces reedbed p. 10
8 Bohons Reserve p. 11
9 The Port des Planques p. 12
10 The Château de la Rivière p. 13
11 The Claies de Vire p. 14
12 The Aure marshes p. 15
13 The Colombières countryside p. 16
14 The Ponts d’Ouve “Espace Naturel Sensible” p. 17
15 The Veys bay
16 The East coast seashore
p. 18-19
from Utah-Beach to Morsalines
17 The Domaine de Beauguillot
p. 20-21
and the Sainte-Marie-du-Mont polders p. 22
18 Fresville géosite p. 23
19 Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte public forest p. 24
20 Sangsurière and Adriennerie Nature Reserve p. 25
Other sites to watch wildlife p. 26-27
For further information

2
Where to watch our wildlife ?
The marshes between two seas
Marshes, peat bogs, heaths, rivers, estuaries, dunes, hedgerows…, there is a vast diversity of
habitats within the parc.
There are large expanses of water-meadows criss-crossed by canals and ditches; from a distance
these marshes appear uniform. However, once in them this false impression is soon put to rights.
The soil type (peaty or mineral), topography and thus humidity, agricultural use all influence
the multitude of plant formations that occur. And, in winter they take on a completely different
aspect: the meadows are covered in water forming an extensive lake surrounded by hedgerows.
At its outlet, the freshwater meeting the sea gives rise to estuaries fringed by salt-marshes and
dunes. Here, the daily changing of the tide is responsible for an ever changing landscape. On an
important migration route, between the Scandinavian and Siberian tundra and African wetlands
and bush, the Baie des Veys and the Saint-Germain-sur-Ay bay are used by thousands of migrant
birds.
In the west of the region, the Lessay heaths have within extensive areas of Maritime pines a
reminding remnant of the “Grande Lande” (Big heath) immortalise in the writings of Barbey
d’Aurevilly.
Heather heaths dotted with peat bogs are a witness of a difficult geography both for plants and
past land use.
Compared to other regions, woodland and forest are rare here, but trees are everywhere. Here is
one of the bastions of the French hedgerow countryside. This manmade landscape is relatively
well conserved here. The presence of two different geological formations, the massif Armoricain
and the Parisian basin as well as past and present land use explains hedgerow diversity (tree
species, field size, tree size…).
“Where to watch our wildlife ?” invites the visitor to discover this mosaic of different habitats
by choosing a selection of sites open to the public.
Sites to visit Observation points
le gorget
Remarkable
monument
Interpretation trails: start Hide Information
Footpath: start
GPS coordinates
National nature
reserve
Path
Protected area
1
La Guilberderie
Le Boscq
La Volerie
The Mont de Doville
49.32218, -1.56051 3 km - 1h30
Named “Escalleclif” (the bald escarpment) by Scandinavian colonists,
the 127 metres summit of the Mont de Doville looks over the marshes,
the Bauptois area and Jersey. Its top is covered in low heather and gorse
heath, whereas its flanks are occupied by taller heath of gorse and common
oak.
La Fosseyrie
La Maison
Langlois
Le Roncheret
Moulin
La
Carrière
Le mont
de Doville
La Louetterie
La Brière
La Noblesse
Corps de garde
D137
La Duperquerie
La Perrerie
La Scellerie
Chapelle
Saint-martin
La Fontaine
Saint-martin
La Besnarderie
La Jouennerie
La Renauderie
vers Doville
et la D900
D337
le Buisson
La Hostinguerie
Look for
Typical heath flora ( 1 Bell
heather, 4 Cross-leaved heath,
Heather, 2 Dwarf gorse and
Western gorse, Bristle Bent,
3 Deergrass, Marsh gentian,
Small-flowered catchfly…).
Dartford warbler breeds.
1 2
3 4
When to look ?
From April to July for birds.
June to August for plants.
Signposted from the D900 road
between La Haye-du-Puits and
Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte.
Interpretation boards along the
paths.
back to
summary
3

4
2
The Havre at Saint-Germain-sur-Ay
49.21874, -1.60895 5 km - 2h
Saint-Germain-sur-Ay Havre (Havre are morphologically specific to the
west Cotentin coast – the nearest in English is haven) is an estuary
closed by a sand bar to the north constantly supplied with sand by the
sea currant parallel to the coast. Here is a complete spectrum of estuarine
habitats: salt-marsh, colonization areas of glasswort and seablite, sand
bars and mudflats.
Two sand dune formations, also very diversified, frame the “havre”: the
“pointe du Banc” (Saint-Germain-sur-Ay) and the “pointe du Becquet”
(Créances).
Look for
Salt-marsh flora (Glasswort, Orache, Sea wormwood,
1 Sea aster…) and in the dunes (the maritime sub-species of
Round-leaved wintergreen, 2 Jersey pink, Meadow violet, Brookweed,
Bee orchid…).
Various birds occur on migration or in winter (Brent goose,
Shelduck, various waders, Osprey, terns…).
Breeding birds include: Shelduck, 3 Oystercatcher and Sand
martin. Breeding amphibians include ( 4 Parsley frog, Natterjack
toad, Marbled newt…).
1
Les Carrières
La Morte
Femme
Les Blanchettes
Mer
de la
Manche
Le Pilier Des Fontaines
3 4
Les Fosses à Lin
2
Les Royales
Pointe
du Becquet
Pointe du Banc
l'Ouve
When to look ?
La Gaverie
From April to August for plants.
From August to March and May
for wintering and migrant birds.
March to July for breeding
birds.
March to May for amphibians.
Corps de garde
Le havre de Saint-Germain-sur-Ay
Les Mares
Les Caves du Haut Dy
Les Caves
Le Haut Dy
Hameau Ermisse
L'Yvourie
Les Salines
la Brosse
le Fieu
vers Créances
l’Ay
Les Mézières
La Doyennerie
Hameau
Legruel
Le Bel
ès Cygnes
D650
D650
la Goutte
Le Gué
de l'Orme
Various view-points around the “havre” are worth visiting: corps de garde
(guardroom), «pointe du Banc», «pointe du Becquet».
Interpretation trail in the dunes of Créances signposted from the D650 road
between Lessay and Pirou.
For seeing waders, best to look during a rising tide.
Be careful there are often strong currents in the various canals which can be
dangerous.
back to
summary
D72
D652
5

vers
Créances Le Petit
Gaslonde
Gaslonde
6
3
vers
La Hayedu-Puits
Mathon peat bog
Lessay
49.21589, -1.52453
Mathon peat bog national nature reserve covers a small peat depression
between the heaths at Lessay to the south and Ay marshes to the north.
Covering less than 16 hectares, created in 1973, not only is it one of the
smallest national nature reserves in France but also one of the oldest.
Despite its small size there is a good diversity of habitats (woodland,
meadows, heath, peat bogs and marsh).
D900
Le Moulin
Le Hamet
Lessay
Le Ferrage
D2
vers
Coutances
La tourbière
de Mathon
D900
D652
La Bastonnerie
La Maison Du Garde
le hocquet
Look for
Flora typical of acid and alkaline
peat bogs (Bog rosemary,
1 Greater spearwort,
2 Sundews, 4 Brown beaksedge,
Bog asphodel…) and
of heath (Bell heather, Heather,
Dwarf gorse…).
Breeding birds include: Water
rail, wetland warblers (Reed,
Grasshopper, Savi’s and Sedge),
and Nightjar. There are 25 species
of Dragonfly ( 3 Variable
damselfly, Four-spotted libellula…).
1 2
Gaslonde
"
#
Le Petit Gaslonde
Historically " the site belonged to the inhabitants of Lessay, and then l'ay
a mi-
Tourbière de mathon
litary zone, (réserve the Lande naturelle) du Camp has since been sold to the “Conservatoire
du Littoral”. A mosaic of dry and wet heath La Vallée and Palla peat bogs, the site is one
of the last examples of Mathon the vast heath that covered Lessay. The reinstitution
of grazing (goats, sheep, cattle) in order to keep the habitat open is a
new stage in the sites history.
Lessay
4
Le Ferrage
D2
The Lande du Camp
Lessay
49.18910, -1.50231 3 km - 1h30
D394
la Goutte
Forêt de Vesly-Pissot
Le Haut Bois
Look for
Heathland flora ( 3 Cross-leaved
heath, Heather, Dwarf gorse,
1 Marsh gentian…) and of peat
bogs (sundews, Harestail cotton-grass,
Bog rosemary, Shoreweed…).
Dartford warbler and 2 Nightjar
nest.
There’s a large Alcon blue butterfly
colony.
Smooth snake occurs.
1 2
Les Grands Bois
D900
rivière de cla
La Croix
La Paperie
3 4
Bellée
La Petite
When to look ?
Vallée
La Montagne La Jeanneterie
From May to August for plants.
La Gardiennerie
From April to August for bree-
Le Moulin ding birds.
à Vent From Hocquet June to September for
dragonflies.
vers
Lessay
Hottot
La lande
3
When to look ?
June to August for plants.
April to July for birds.
Car park on the D394 road between
Cavilly
the Le villages Bocageof
Hottot and Rendurie
Interpretation trail leaflet
B
Mathon
Le Vivier
La Vallée Palla
vers
Périers
Access is strictly controlled,
special access on request from the
“Cotentin CPIE” or during organised
guided outings in summer.
Information: CPIE du Cotentin
(02.33.46.37.06)
Access form the centre of Lessay.
Nearby
Hameau
Marguerin
Le Buisson
du Camp
available at Lessay Tourist Office
(02.33.45.14.34) or Cotentin CPIE La Rou
(02.33.46.37.06).
Beware, the site is often flooded in
winter.
Similar sites
Cavilly
The common heaths at Millières,
Muneville-le-Bingard. Vesly-Pissot.
“La Montagne” interpretation trail.
back to summary
vers
Coutances
Hôtel Coquet
La Rendurie
Nearby
La Guillaumerie
Buisson interpretation trail.
7

8
5
La Bayonnerie
pirou plage
La Val
Saint-Patrice-de-Claids
heaths
49.22760, -1.43316 1,9 km - 2h
la saurie
la barberie
la bosquerie
la piloterie
le moitier
le bas de la ruepirou
la croix vindy
la rue du brocq
The first woodland of the ancient common heaths appeared at the end of
the 19
la calière
la demeure
la jammerie
th century and was cut for use in mines during the 1914-1918 war.
There as a second large-scale planting of trees during the 1950s.
Nowadays the Maritime pine dominates the Saint-Patrice-de-Claids communal
forest but it nevertheless has a fine diversity of habitats: dry heath,
peat heath, ponds, streams, deciduous woodland…
La Campagne
La Hédouinerie
D24
vers
Saint-Jores
La Bonserie
Les landes de Saint-Patrice
le pont
château de pirou
Le Domaine
le haut de la rue
la groucerie
Le Pont Joliment la prévelleriegavron
vers
Périers
Look for
Peat bog and heath flora
(Bell heather, 4 Heather, Dwarf
gorse, 2 Oblong-leaved sundew,
Brown beak-sedge, 1 White
beak-sedge, Deergrass, Marsh
gentian…).
3 Nightjar nests.
A small population of the Alcon
blue butterfly.
More than ten species of dragonflies.
la maison neuve
1 2
bourgogne
la liroterie
3 4
When to look les ? croutes
June to August for plants.
April to June for birds.
An interpretation trail is signposted
from the D24 road between Périers
and Saint-Jores.
Similar sites
La Feuillie and Créances communal
forests (Buisson).
la gauderie
la brassinerie
l'éventard
6
vers
Pirou-Pont
Sursat pond
Pirou
49.16288, -1.53809 3,5 km - 2h
Confined within Pirou communal forest, Sursat pond is one of the last
peat bogs of the Lessay heaths. In a depression, it receives water form
nearby springs. The stagnant, acid waters favour the growth of sphagnum,
mosses typical of peat bogs that contribute to peat formation.
le far west
!
D94
le château blanc
vers
Lessay
vers
Coutances
D2
Look for
Peat bog flora ( 1 Bog rosemary,
Brown sedge-grass, Deergrass,
2 Lesser bladderwort…).
14 species of Dragonfly occur
(Scarce emerald damselfly,
Goblet-marked damselfly,
3 Black sympetrum…).
Nightjars occur.
1 2
le pavillon
When to look ?
3
rond buisson
April to June for birds.
June to August for plants.
June to September for dragonflies.
le grand heugueville
Car park from the D94 road
between Pirou-Pont and the D2
(Lessay – Coutances road).
A footpath accessible from the car
park crosses the tree studded heath
to the south of the peat bog.
Be careful, peat bogs are fragile
places, please don’t trample the
site.
back to
summary
9

La Brechollerie
D57
vers
Marchésieux
10
7
Rouges-Pièces reedbed
Marchésieux
49.21136, -1.27022 0,8 km - 30 min.
At the confluence of the Taute and the Lozon, the Rouge-Pièces reedbed
forms an uplifted island of peat. Once used for providing “rotz”, a mixture
of tough marsh grasses used for thatching, it was abandoned for a time.
Today, the central meadow is surrounded by stands of willow with clearings
of tall grasses.
Le Quesnoy du Haut
Le Moulin
La roselière
des Rouges-Pièces
le Lozon
Le Quesney
Grand marais
Rivière du Moulin
la Taute
Marais de la Baritte
Le Port
D29
L'Isle
Le Port Tribehou
A voir
Flora of alkaline peat bogs
( 1 orchids, Marsh pea, Pale butterwort,
Marsh fern…).
Wetland warblers breed (Grasshopper,
3 Sedge, Fan-tailed) as
does Willow warbler.
The area’s good for crickets and
grasshoppers (Water-meadow
grasshopper, Short-winged
conehead, 2 Large marsh
grasshopper, Mole-cricket).
1 2
When to look ?
May to July for plants and birds.
An interpretation trail is signposted
from the D57 road between Saint-
André-de-Bohon and Marchésieux.
Be careful, the site is often flooded
in winter.
Nearby
The “abri gabare” discovery site at
Tribehou.
3
D903
La
Fourchette
8
La Manerie
Le Mesnil
Auverville
Les Terres
vers Rouges
Périers
D29
D971
L'Équillau
Le Grand Pré
Saint-Julien
La Pire Lande
Le Flaguet
Bohons reserve
Saint-Georges-de-Bohon
49.26348, -1.24026
The Bohons no-hunting reserve is situated in the widest part of the Taute
valley. It’s a vast area of peat meadows criss-crossed by channels and
ditches; the sections of open water were digged in the 70s specifically for
waterfowl. This ancient communal marsh is rented and managed by the
“Manche Departmental Hunters Federation”.
La Galloterie
La Hougue
Le Désert
Saint-
Quentin
vers
Carentan
L'Abbaye
Saint-Georges-de-Bohon
L'eau Partie
La Quenotterie
Rivière des Gouffres
la Rivière Neuve
le Grand Fossé
La Réserve de Chasse
et de Faune Sauvage
des Bohons
canal de Vire et Taute
Marais de Cap
la Taute
Maison
des
Ormes
Marais du Fetz
Cap
Look for
Flora of both alkaline and acid
bogs, (orchids, Marsh pea, sundews,
2 Marsh lousewort…)
and ditches (Water violet, Greater
bladderwort…).
Breeding Lapwing and flood
meadow passerines (Blueheaded
wagtail, Sedge warbler…).
Resting and wintering site
for waterfowl (Teal, Shoveler,
1 Gadwall, 3 Snipe…).
1 2
When to look ?
3
May to July for plants.
April to August for breeding
birds.
October to February for wintering
birds.
Reserve visits only with a guide.
Information: Fédération Départementale
des Chasseurs de la
Manche (02.33.72.63.63).
Access from Saint-Georges-de-Bohon
village.
Nearby
The “Maison des Ormes”
interpretation trail.
back to summary
11

Marais
du Fetz
Le Port des Planques
Marais de la
Petite
Commune
12
9
The Port des Planques
Montmartin-en-Graignes
49.26208, -1.19855 4 km - 2h
The trail that leaves from Port des Planques follows the Vire-Taute canal.
Built during the industrial revolution, the canal allowed “gabares” traditional
flat-bottomed boats, to go between Saint-Lô and Carentan without
going on the sea. Other than that, the trail allows extensive views over
peat marshes including the Marais de la Taute regional nature reserve,
owned by the “Groupe Ornithologique Normand” – the local bird group.
D89
Le Petit Hameau
Le Rotz
vers Graignes
Le Courval
Canal de Vire et Taute
Marais
du Rotz
Le Clos
Marais du
Grand Mont
vers ancienne
RN 174
Saint-Nicolas
L'Écluse
Marais de Penême
Look for
Flora of both alkaline and acid
bogs (orchids, Marsh pea…) and
of ditches (Water violets, 1 Bogbean…).
Nesting Bittern, 3 Marsh
and Montagu’s harriers,
Curlew and Lapwing, and
flood meadow passerines
( 2 Whinchat, Blue-headed wagtail…).
Several White stork nests in the
surrounding countryside. Harrier
roost in winter. Resting and wintering
wetland birds (Great egret,
Snipe…).
1 2
When to look ?
May and July for plants.
April to August for nesting birds.
October to February for wintering
birds.
Access from the D89 road between
the old RN174 road and Graignes-
Mesnil Angot.
Be careful, during winter the
footpath is often flooded. The
regional nature reserve is closed to
the public.
Similar sites
The “Maison des Ormes” at Mont-
Martin-en-Graignes, the “Marais du
Rivage” at Auvers.
3
10
vers Carentan
La Tringale
Le Pont
Bignon
La Corbetterie
D 974
La Comté
The “Château de la Rivière”
Saint-Fromond
D 445
La Vallée
Saint-Jean-de-Daye
vers Saint-Lô
49.24447, -1.11468
The “Château de la Rivière” was built in the 11 th century by Odon de
Carteville, half-brother of William the Conqueror. When built it was on the
side of the sea, on the Vire estuary. Today its ruins are in the heart of the
Saint-Fromond marsh, some 10 km from the sea.
The chateau was badly destroyed in 1944, in the battle following the Normandy
landings.
There’s a colony of White storks on the walls that remain.
Canal de Vire et Taute
Silly
La Briquerie
Château de la Rivière
D 377
La Rivière
La Ruette
Audeville
vers
Saint-Fromond
Look for
Ditch flora.
1 2 3 White stork colony (about
twenty pairs).
1
When to look ?
March to August for the White
Storks.
At the end of the D377 road accessible
form the D445 road between
Saint-Fromond and Saint-Jean-de-
Daye.
Be careful, the chateau and
surrounding marshes are private,
please stay on the tracks.
3
2
back to
summary
13

Le Clos
Bessin
Le Hameau
Billard
14
11
N174
D974E1
The Claies de Vire
La Meauffe
49.17826, -1.11480
Fishpond, lock, mill and small electricity dam have all succeeded each
other over the centuries at Claies de Vire. Today the site has been converted
to a fish watch point. Populations of Allis shad and Atlantic salmon
pass the site on their way to their spawning grounds and are presently
increasing.
Les Fourneaux
Le Hameau Thomasse
D974E1
vers
Saint-Jean-de-Daye
Pont-Hébert
vers
Saint-Lô
Les Pézerils
la Vire
Coquet
Les Claies
de Vire
La Vengerie
La Meauffe
Quartier du Pont
Saint-
Gilles
La Cornicaillerie
La Herbaudière
vers
St-Clair-sur-Elle
D54
La Perelle
Look for
2 Migratory fish (Allis shad, Atlantic
salmon, Sea trout…).
Breeding Grey wagtail and
1 Kingfisher.
When to look ?
April-May for Shad.
October-November for Salmon
and Sea trout.
1
Discovery site signposted from the
centre of La Meauffe.
A guide is present at the fish watch
point Monday and Wednesday
afternoons from April to early June.
Information : Fédération Départementale
de Pêche de la Manche
(02.33.46.96.50)
back to summary
2
12
vers
Osmanville
Le Joliet
The Aure marshes
Saint-Germain-du-Pert
49.33067, -1.03933 5 km - 2h30
As with the similar Cotentin area, the Aure marshes in the Bessin are
an extensive area of water meadows interlaced with many canals and
ditches. Here, trees (essentially willows) are rare and horizons distant.
In winter, water overflowing from the rivers associated with the lands
flatness means for extensive flooding so that for a few weeks the marshes
are under water: locally termed “la blanchie”. In summer, water is found
only in ponds and ditches, even though the water table is just under the
soil surface.
D 124
La Laiterie
La Perruque Hameau
Pinson
Hameau Braihat
Les Grandes Mares
La Girotterie
Les
Buttes
Le Sillon
de la Voie
cours du Jonquet
La Croix Bunouf
Le Jonquet
Le Lieu Débonnaire
Les Folies
Saint-Germaindu-Pert
cours des Folies
Le Lieu
Hébert
vers
Canchy
Hameau
Raiton
Look for
Flora of water meadow (Marsh
stitchwort, Narrow-leaved water
dropwort, Lady’s smock…) and
ditches (Water violet, 3 Frogbit,
Common meadow-rue…).
Lapwing, Marsh harrier and various
water meadow passerines
nest (Whinchat, 1 Blue-headed
wagtail, 2 Sedge warbler…).
Several White stork nests in the
surrounding countryside.
1 2
3
Quand voir ?
May to August for plants.
April to August for breeding birds.
October to February for wintering
birds.
Interpretation trail signposted from
the D124 road between Osmanville
and Canchy.
Be careful, the trail is often flooded
in winter.
Similar sites
The “Marais de l’Elle” trail at
Neuilly-la-Forêt and “Marais Saint-
Clair” trail at Marchésieux. The
“Landscape through the ages”
at Picauville.
15

Le Lieu
du Cheval
Le Lieu Gilles
Le Château
vers
Vouilly
16
13
ruisseau du Coudray
Saint-Jores
Le Manoir
Béatrix
marais suhard
ruisseau du Moulin d'Annebey
Le Bouillon
L'isle
The Colombières
countryside
Lieu
Folleville
49.29699, -0.98032 10,5 km - 3h
The walk through the Colombières countryside allows the visitor to discover
another part of the Aure marshes and especially the hedgerow
countryside of higher land.
The marshes are a transition zone between the limestone and marls of
the Parisian bassin to the north and the schists and sandstones of the
Armoricain massif to the south. The countryside here is dominated by oaks
and sweet chestnuts, whereas to the north the disappearance of Elms has
given way to Ash and Field maple. Meadows, crops, hedgerows, ponds
and orchards allow the visitor to see wildlife typical of the countryside of
western France.
Ferme de la
Suharderie
Le Perrey
ruisseau de Corainville
Le Buisson
La Lande
La Campagne
Hameau Minet
La Maresquerie
D5
Le Lieu
Vaudel
La Perelle
Corainville
Thionville
Le Couvent
Ferme de
la Ronde
!
La Perruque
Château de
Colombières
Le
Feuillet
Colombières
Ferme des
Hutereaux
La Houssaye
l'esque
La Poterie
La Basse
Rivière
La Campagne
La Malvoye
vers
Le Molay-
Littry
Look for
Hedgerow flora ( 1 Early purple
orchid, Lesser celandine,
4 Hartstongue, Male fern), ancient
oaks.
Breeding hedgerow passerines
(warblers, thrushes, Redstart,
tits…).
Breeding marshland birds, hunting
Hobby, and Little and Cattle
egrets.
Wintering hedgerow birds
( 2 Fieldfare, finches…).
Several 3 White stork nests in
the surrounding countryside.
1 2
3 4
When to look ?
April to August for plants.
April to June for breeding birds.
Start of the hiking trail from the
church car park in the centre of
Colombières.
Be careful, in winter, that part of
the trail that crosses the marshes
is often flooded.
14
la Madeleine
The Ponts d’Ouve
“Espace Naturel Sensible”
Saint-Côme-du-Mont
49.32163, -1.26567 5,5 km - 2h30
In the heart of the Douve marshes, the Ponts d’Ouve “Espace Naturel
Sensible”* has been set up for visitors to discover marshes. Several hides
allow the visitor to see the lakes and its reedbeds wildlife whilst the trail
winds through the water meadows.
* a form of local nature reserve
la Jourdan
!
les Ponts d’Ouve
!
!
St-Côme-du-Mont
!
!
L'Amont
Canal des espagnols Canal gravier
The “Maison du Parc” – parc visitor centre, starting
point for visiting the reserve, proposes various services
that complement a reserve visit: information,
films, exhibitions, informative garden and shop.
la Douve
D913
la Groult
vers RN 13
Maison du Parc
Carentan
vers
Périers
D971
Pommenauque
A voir
Resting and over-wintering wetland
birds ( 3 Teal, 3 Shoveler,
Garganey, Snipe, 1 Bittern…).
Breeding wetland warblers
(Sedge, Savi’s and Marsh)
Bluethroat, Marsh harrier and
Bittern.
27 species of dragonfly (Hairy
dragonfly, 2 Emperor dragonfly…).
1 2
3
When to look ?
November to March for migrant
and over-wintering duck.
July to March for migrant and
over-wintering waders.
April to July for nesting birds
and plants.
On the D913 road between Saint-
Côme-du-Mont and Carentan.
Paying entrance. Unaccompanied
or guided visits. Opening times
and conditions on the back of this
leaflet.
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summary
17

18
15
The Veys bay
49.36208, -1.15506
The sea outlet for the Cotentin and Bessin marshes, the bay receives water
of the four rivers (Aure, Vire, Taute and Douve).
The mix of fresh and sea water and large amount of sediments are the
reason for a very productive ecosystem, particularly a rich food source
for wildlife. A fringe of salt-marsh, only flooded during the highest tides,
has developed in front of the polder dykes. Beyond it, 4000 hectares of
mudflats are uncovered at low tide.
Look for
Salt-marsh plants (Glasswort, Sea purslane, Sea aster…).
Thousands of wintering and resting wetland birds
( 3 Brent goose, Shelduck, Dunlin, 2 Ringed plover,
Oystercatcher…) and birds of prey (Osprey, Shorteared
owl…).
A group of 1 Common seals (some 100 animals).
Le Chalet
2
Le Grand Vey
Rivière de
D89
Canal de Carentan à la mer
l’Escalgrain
vers Brévands
1
Passe de Carentan
Polder du
Petit Saint-André
Polder du Grand Saint-André
2
43
La Grève
La Coquerie
When to look ?
!
April to August for plants.
August to March and May for
waders.
October for geese.
August to October for seals.
Pointe de Brévands
Polder du Rouff
Polder St-Marguerite
Polder
du Carmel
Polder Frémont
Banc de la Ravine
La pointe
du Groin
Various other viewpoints around the bay: the port at Brévands and the Pont de
Reux.
Observation site at the Pointe de Brévands.
For seeing waders, best to look during a rising tide ; for seals it’s best to look at
low tide.
Stay on tracks, don’t walk onto the polders.
Be careful there are often strong currents in the various canals around the bay
which can be dangerous.
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summary
19

20
16
The East coast seashore
from Utah-Beach to Morsalines
49.45053, -1.21653
From Utah-Beach to Morsalines is a long beach sometimes backed by low
dunes (Utah-Beach, Fontenay-sur-Mer). Towards the north near the Cul
de Loup spit the substrate becomes muddier allowing the development of
a small salt-marsh between Lestre and Crasville. The streams that drain
the east side of the marshes flow onto the beach via sluices constructed
on the dunes or dykes whereas the Sinope estuary has a more natural
configuration.
Look for
High beach flora ( 2 Sea rocket,
Sea kale…), sand dune flora
( 4 Marsh heleborine, Adderstongue,
Creeping willow…).
Breeding Shelduck and 3 Kentish
plover.
Thousands of resting and overwintering
birds (Brent goose,
1 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling,
Turnstone, Ringed plover, Mediterranean
gull, terns…).
1 2
3 4
When to look ?
April to June for plants.
April to August for Kentish
plover.
August to March and May for
migrant and wintering waders.
Various sites to visit
Islets and top of the boulder beach
at Lestre, shell beach at Saint-
Marcouf, top of the beach between
Ravenoville and Audouville-la-
Hubert.
An incoming tide is best for watching
waders.
back to summary
Crasville
vers
Montebourg
Morsalines
Aumeville-
Lestre
Lestre
Fontenay-sur-Mer
vers
Cherbourg
RN 13
vers
Caen
D42
vers Quettehou
D14
D14
St-Marcouf-de-l’Isle
vers Sainte-
Mère-Eglise
Anse du
Cul de loup
Ravenoville
D15
Quinéville
D421
D14
Les Gougins
Foucarville
St-Germain-
de-Varreville
D421
vers Sainte-
Marie-du-Mont
Ravenoville plage
vers
Utah-Beach
21

vers Sainte-
Marie-du-Mont
La Bedelle
Les Grandies
Pouppeville
The Domaine de Beauguillot
and the Sainte-Marie-du-Mont polders
49.39004, -1.17629 2 km - 1h30
On the side of the Veys bay, the Domaine de Beauguillot and Sainte-Mariedu-Mont
polders were once a salt marsh successive claimed from the sea
by four embankments constructed between 1824 and 1972. The polders and
their maritime fringe are classed as a National Nature Reserve except for
the southern polder classed as a no hunting reserve. The flooded meadows
are a refuge for thousands of migrant or wintering wetland birds. The management
of water levels enables birds to nest in spring. On the sea side of
the embankments, waders and seals occur on the salt marsh and mudflats.
22
17
L'Épinette
D913
Le Beau
Prenant
Le Mur
La Petite
Dune
La Dune
D329
vers Utah-Beach
Beauguillot
Réserve naturelle
du Domaine de Beauguillot
Bancs du Grand Vey
Look for
Salt marsh flora (Glasswort, Sea
purslane, Sea aster…). Thousands
of birds make a stopover
or pass the winter (Teal, 2
Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 1 Greylag
goose, Brent goose, Dunlin, Ringed
plover, Oystercatcher…) as
do birds of prey (Peregrine, Hen
harrier…). Wetland birds nest
(Lapwing, Shelduck, Little grebe,
passerines…).
A Common seal colony.
1 2
When to look ?
3
November to April for duck and
geese.
August to March and May for
waders.
April to July for breeding birds.
Interpretation trail with hides is
signposted from Utah-Beach.
Stay on the tracks, please don’t
enter the polders.
18
Ruisseau de Coisel
vers
Ecrammeville
Fresville géosite
Le Goulet
voie Ferrée
49.44029, -1.38538 2 km - 2h
Fresville géosite includes a lake surrounded by cliffs, calcareous grassland
and young woodland. From the early 20 th century until 1984 the site
was a quarry where men and machines extracted limestone. This extraction
brought to evidence the geological history of Normandy (Jurassic limestone
and marl and Cetacean green clay and sand).
La Gare
La Vallée
Le Frêne Bisson
La Lande
D 269
Grainville
Gonneville
Le Hesnay
Tamerville
Vauville
Les Poteries
La Cour
Fresville
Les Hauts Vents
vers
RN13
Look for
Numerous Jussic fossils.
Calcareous grassland plants
( 1 Bee orchid, Slender wild oat,
Purging flax…).
Passage and wintering of waterfowl
(Pochard and 2 Tufted
duck…).
When to look ?
April to June for plants.
April to August for breeding
birds.
October to February for wintering
birds.
Interpretation trail signposted from
the centre of Fresville.
1
2
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summary
23

The 234 hectares of the Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte forest are all that remains
of an ancient Royal estate thought to have covered 2000 hectares.
It’s composed mainly of coppice under fine Oak or Beech with a few Pines
here and there. There are a few majestic, ancient Beeches in the forest.
An arboretum brings an exotic touch to the area. Nearby, at the top of the
“Mont de Besneville”, heath completes the scene.
vers
Portbail
Mont de
Besneville
24
19
Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte
public forest
Les Marais
Le Bas
du Mont
49.37589, -1.59314 2 km - 1h30
La Poterie
Forêt domaniale de Saint-sauveur
vers Portbail
D130
D15
La Forêt
Taillepied
La Faisanderie
vers
St-Sauveurle-Vicomte
Le Paradis
vers
St-Sauveurle-Vicomte
Le Jardin Boissy
Château de
Beaulieu
Look for
Forest and heath flora (Bell
heather, Heather, 2 Marsh
St.-John’s wort, 3 Bog pimpernel…).
Breeding birds include Middle
spotted woodpecker, 1 Honey
buzzard, Wood and Dartford warblers
and Nightjar…).
1
When to look ?
March to July for plants.
February to July for breeding
birds.
Interpretation trail signposted from
the D15 road between Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte
and Portbail.
3
2
D127
20
ruisseau
du Pont
St-Sauveurde-Pierrepont
St-Nicolasde-Pierrepont
Sangsurière and Adriennerie
Nature Reserve Doville
Catteville
d'Alleaume
le Gorget
49.33318, -1.59100
Situated upstream of the Cotentin marshes, the Sangsurière and Adriennerie
National Nature Reserve is one of the best preserved peat marshes
of the area. Common land belonging to the inhabitants of the four surrounding
parishes, the marsh has two main parts: a central zone of peat
heath dominated by high grasses, and an outer zone consisting of peat
meadows still used by farmers.
Marais de l'Anse
de Catteville
Mont de Doville
D215
Marais de la Sangsurière
le Buisson
Doville
le Gorget
D137
D900
D900
vers
La-Haye-du-Puits
vers Saint-
Sauveur-le-Vicomte
Marais de l'Adriennerie
Bois d'Etenclin
le Buisson
Look for
Flora of alkaline and acid bogs
(orchids, 4 sundews, 1 Harestail
cotton-grass, Brown beaksedge,
3 Bog asphodel…).
Breeding Lapwing and 2 Curlew,
Bluethroat and various
wetland warblers (Grasshopper,
Sedge…).
Winter roost of Marsh and Hen
harriers.
Passage and wintering aquatic
birds (Snipe, Lapwing…).
1 2
3 4
When to look ?
May to July for plants.
April to August for breeding
birds.
Interpretation site on the D137 road
between Saint-Nicolas-de-Pierrepont
and Saint-Sauveur-de-Pierrepont.
Guided visits in spring and
summer. Information : Maison du
Parc (02.33.71.65.30).
back to
summary
25

Other sites to watch wildlife
21
Baie du
Mont St-Michel
Aquatic birds.
Salt-marsh flora.
A Common seal colony.
25
Phare de Gatteville
Migrant seabirds.
22
Falaises de Carolles
Migrant passerines
(cabane Vauban).
26
Anse du cul de loup
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
Presence of waterfowl.
23
Réserve de chasse
Geffosses
Presence of Waterfowl.
27
Pointe du Hoc
Cricqueville-en-Bessin
Breeding Kittiwake, Fulmar,
Peregrine…
Migration (Criqueville mill).
24
Pointe de la Hague
Nesting seabirds, Peregrine…
Heathland flora
(cliffs and islands).
Presence of waterfowl, dune
flora, amphibians (Mare de
Vauville reserve).
Migration (at Goury
lighthouse).
28
Forêt de Cerisy
Cerisy-la-Forêt
Breeding Black and middle
spotted woodpeckers,
Redstart…
Red deer present.
Cap de
la Hague
24
LA MANCHE
0 7,5 km
2
Cherbourg
22
19
23
Baie du
Mont-Saint-Michel
Granville
20
1
3
4
6
21
5
Coutances
18
Avranches
26
P a r c
n a t u r e l
r é g i o n a l
des Marais du
Cotentin et du Bessin
7
16
8
25
Pointe
de Barfleur
Île
Tatihou
17
14
Carentan
9
Baie
des Veys
15
Isigny-sur-Mer
12
10
27
13
11 28
back to
26 27
summary
Saint-Lô
LA MANCHE
Bayeux

28
Our partners, natural site managers
Association Claude Hettier
de Boislambert
02.33.71.56.99
rnbeauguillot@wanadoo.fr
Centre Permanent d’Initiatives
pour l’Environnement du Cotentin
02.33.46.37.06
www.cpiecotentin.com
Conservatoire de l’Espace Littoral
et des Rivages Lacustres
02.31.15.30.90
www.conservatoire-du-littoral.fr
Fédération Départementale
des Chasseurs de la Manche
02.33.72.63.63
www.fdc50.com
Code of good practice
Fédération Départementale
de Pêche de la Manche
02.33.46.96.50
www.peche-manche.com
Groupe Ornithologique Normand
02.31.43.52.56
www.gonm.org
Office National des Forêts
02.33.05.11.11
www.onf.fr
Syndicat Mixte des Espaces
Littoraux de la Manche
02.33.05.98.83
www.symel.fr
Whilst watching and studying natural history the welfare of species and their habitats
must come first.
Disturbance caused to animals or their habitat should be kept to a minimum, especially
by keeping a reasonable distance from them in order to avoid birds taking flight
or other animals (seals…) leaving their site. Avoid using the top of the beach so as not
to crush Kentish plover eggs or chicks (April to August).
Respect the rights of local owners, by staying on roads, tracks and paths and avoiding
blocking access when parking your vehicle.
Respect the rights of others, their activities and work in the countryside and opting for
compromise and dialogue.
At all times, respect national and regional laws concerning nature conservation (particularly
on nature reserves).
Please leave your observations with local naturalists groups: nature conservation (the
protection of species and sites) can be optimised by the use of more information, if
necessary your observations will be kept private.
back to
summary

Flore et végétation
des marais
Des marais entre deux mers...
Marshlands, between two coastlines...
The Parc naturel regional in
pictures, throughout the season
French/English
To find out more
Les oiseaux nicheurs des
prairies humides
Carte touristique
Tourist map
Hikes, natural history and
water-based activities
French/English
des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin
Dépôt légal à parution : avril 2012 - Tirage : 5 000 ex.
Crédit photo : © C. Lecoq, S. Stauth (CPIE du Cotentin) ; S. Barrault ; T. Bousquet, H. Guitton, M. Provost,
S. Rivez (Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest) ; S. Fautré (CDT50) ; Fédération Départementale des
Chasseurs de la Manche ; J-M. Gatey ; M. Guérard ; R. Purenne (GONm) ; M. Lagarde, L. Robert (GRETIA) ;
T. Houyel ; F. Levalet ; B. Canu, F. Désert, N. Fillol, G. Hédouin, E. Génot, J-M. Lefèvre, R. Pavisse, M. Roche
(Pnr Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin) ; L. Gabet, A. Hannok (SyMEL) ; S. Provost.
Cartes issues des fichiers BD TOPO® ©IGN - 2012 - Autorisation n° 43-12003
Imprimé sur du papier certifié PEFC avec des encres végétales
par l’imprimerie Le Révérend à Valognes.
M!GRATEURS
à plumes, à poils, à écailles...
Les rendez-vous du Parc
The Parc organizes guided
events, at the Maison du Parc
or in one of the 150 parishes
that make up the Parc
These publications are produced by the Parc naturel régional and available
at the Maison du Parc (tel. 00 33 (0)2 33 71 65 30), at tourist offices
or at www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
back to
summary

ack to
summary
Guernesey
Aurigny
Serq
Jersey
Saint-Malo
Cap de
la Hague
Rosslare
Diélette
Barneville-
Carteret
Marshlands,
between two coastlines…
Poole - Portsmouth
Iles
Chausey
Maison Maison du Parc Parc naturel naturel régional régional
des Marais Marais du Cotentin Cotentin et du Bessin Bessin
3 village Ponts d’Ouve
50500 SAINT-CÔME-DU-MONT
Tél. 00 33 (0)2 33 71 65 30
Fax. 00 33 (0)2 33 71 65 31
accueil@parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr
Poole
Caen-Rennes
Rennes
Nantes
Coutances
Granville
Baie du
Mont-St-Michel
Portsmouth
Cherbourg
Carentan
Pointe
de Barfleur
Ile
Tatihou
Utah Beach
Baie
des Veys
Isigny-sur-Mer
Avranches
Saint-Lô
Omaha Beach
Cherbourg 45’
Bayeux
S t -Côme-du-Mont
Angers
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Caen
Paris-Granville
Baie
de Seine
Ouistreham
le Havre
Paris-Cherbourg
N O R M A N D I E
D 913
D 971
Coutances 40’
Maison du Parc
Sortie
S t -Côme-du-Mont
S te -Marie-du-Mont
Utah-Beach
CARENTAN
4 9 . 3 2 1 6 3 6 , - 1 . 2 6 5 6 7 1
Le Mans
Caen 60’
Saint-Lô 30’
From Easter to the end of September
open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
From October to Easter
open daily, except on Mondays, from 9.30 a.m.
to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(the national nature reserve is closed for 2
weeks as from the end of September).
Closed annually
from the end of December to early January.
Tours