Why do bees zig-zag? How do trees grow? What is a stamen? Because parents don’t always have all the answers, the Nature Reserve’s Junior Safari offers young explorers a host of fun activities in the heart of nature. Supervised by staff from the Ligue Protectrice des Oiseaux, each challenge is an opportunity to learn a little more about the world around them. Better knowledge means better protection! Could that be a fox print? Quick, get out the magnifying glass!
Marais d'Yves Nature Reserve: a wild break!
Marais Yves Chatelaillon Co
Maraischatelaillon Lesconte
Safari Junior Conteurs1 - Junior Safari
Safari Junior Chatelaillon
Safari Junior Practical information for children aged 6 to 10
9 mini-challenges:
Shorebirds
Small animals in the water
Harrier, lend me your feather
So much the better!
In the footsteps of animals
The little palaeontologist
Budding detective
Feathers and shells
Nature rally
Meeting point: Centre Nature, Aire de la Baie d’Yves (D137) except Plumes et coquillages aux Boucholeurs, lock keeper’s house
Length of outing: 1h30, except 2h nature rally
Price: Children aged 6 to 10: €5.50 – Accompanying adult: €4.50
Bookings: At the tourist office – On site
Jumelle Safari Junior Conte2- A wide variety of wildlife to observe
The Nature Reserve will show you different tenants depending on the season of your visit. Whether feathered, furry or scaly, they all form a rich and precious ecosystem. And they’re often just binoculars away! Pass them from hand to hand to catch a glimpse of a family of gingers trotting discreetly by, or a graceful doe and her fawn. Keep your eyes peeled!
Did you know? Last of their rather complicated names, mustelids are simply animals with a snout! They include otters, weasels, weasels and even the shy badger, which you can spot on your visit to the Réserve Naturelle du Marais d’Yves.
Safari Junior Jumelle Conte
Heron Marais Chatelaillon C3 - Exceptional flora
The flora of the reserve is just as remarkable, although it moves much less. In all, over 574 varieties of flowering plants await you on the site.
Marais Yves Flore Conteurs
Marais Chatelaillon Flore C
Marais Flore ConteursDon’t know what a buttercup is? We don’t blame you, that’s what Jean-Paul is there for! It’s also an opportunity to discover a fragile plant heritage, with 12 species on the red list of endangered flora in France and 35 on the endangered list in Poitou-Charentes.
4 - An hour with the birds
Oiseau Marais YvesThe Baie d’Yves is the Charente’s refuge for migratory birds. Here, food and shelter are guaranteed all year round! More than 250 species take advantage of the food resources and favourable climate between the Port des Boucholeurs and the cliffs at Yves. There’s no secret to seeing them up close: a lot of patience and not much noise. Oh, a hoopoe!
5 - Little by little, the stork builds its nest
Did you know? Storks may not bring babies, but they do bring spring to the marshes! And they have been doing so since 1978, when they first settled in the region. There are now over 60 white stork nests in Charente-Maritime. Enough to make quite a family.
To find out more about this strange bird that fascinates children, take the “From storks to herons” tour.
Meeting point: Car park, Saint-Laurent de la Prée railway station
Length ofvisit: 2 hours
Price: Adults: €7 / Students, unemployed and juniors aged 9 to 17: €6
Free for children under 9 – Children under 10 and from the 2nd child: free
Cigogne6 - The nature reserve between dog and wolf
When the sun sets over the Marais d’Yves Nature Reserve, there is magic in the air. In silence, you can contemplate the flora and fauna as they fall asleep or awaken in the warm colours of dusk. An original and surprising visit that reveals the Charente’s nature in a whole new light.
Dancing in the marshes!
You can also discover the marshes by bike! Inflate the wheels, pack the picnic lunches and hit the road for a 2 to 3 hour escapade around Châtelaillon. 23 km along the coast, for a natural treat between sea and marsh. Explore the hinterland, with its beautiful detours and unspoilt landscapes, before finishing your tour at the resort.
