With an area of , this is the largest marsh on France's
Atlantic coast and the second largest of the country, after the
Camargue in Provence. The Marais Poitevin is the most important area of
angelica cultivation in France. Extending across three departments (
Vendée,
Deux-Sèvres, and
Charente-Maritime), it is situated west of
Niort, north of
La Rochelle, and south of
Fontenay-le-Comte. In 1979 the Marais Poitevin was declared a
Regional Natural Park (), in an effort to help preserve it. The marsh lost that status in 1997, due to intensive agricultural development around the Marsh that endangered the unique character of the region. Only a core Interregional Park (
Parc Interrégional du Marais poitevin) of remains. Attempts to regain the full Park classification started in 2002, and supporters proposed a new charter in 2006. While this was accepted by the local authorities, it was rejected in late 2008 by the national government due to a perceived "juridical fragility". Tourism includes boating in traditional barques, which is a form of
punting. There are several piers (), from which boats can be hired. The myriad canals have become covered in green
duckweed (hence the Green Venice nickname). The drained marshland is home to a varied fauna. ==Geology==