Saint Omer and Marais Audomarois
Marais Audomarois – getting back to nature
A holiday in the Audomarois is a holiday close to nature. The Marais Audomarois is a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Site, a maze of 160km of « watergangs » (small drainage channels) which criss-cross 3,400 hectares between crops and pastureland dotted with typical houses. An integral part of the Parc Naturel Régional, the Marais is exceptionally rich in wildlife. Birds and animals flourish in total freedom among lush vegetation – you will love it !
In the middle of the Marais lies the Réserve Naturelle Volontaire de Romelaëre. Among the lakes, ditches, meadows and reed beds live market gardeners who farm and maintain the area : this is the last cultivated marshland in France, and the main market gardening centre of the region.
By choosing the Marais Audomarois, you are guaranteed a unique area to explore with plenty of activities for all the family : boat and canoe trips, bike rides, fishing, animal parks. Let yourself go with the flow surrounded by unspoilt countryside. Alone, with family or a guide, follow the rivers and meet the market gardeners to understand this extraordinary environment and its history going back to the Middle Ages, the time of the monks of the Abbey of Saint Bertin.
Don’t hesitate to hire an ‘escute’ to get as close as possible to nature and see the Marais from a different angle. These traditional wooden boats made of oak were used for centuries by the market gardeners. Two local men, Rémy and Vincent, are the last builders of these craft in the traditional way.
To know more about the history of the Marshes, its biodiversity, the life of its inhabitants and local legends, visit the Maison du Marais discovery centre.
The Art and History town of Saint-Omer, its cathedral, Musée Sandelin and Coupole d'Helfaut
Finally, stop off to visit the world leader in tableware, Cristallerie ARC France at Arques, before tasting THE local speciality, the celebrated Genièvre de Houlle eau-de-vie during a tour of the distillery where this renowned drink is made in true Flanders tradition.
Sports facilities here include St Omer Golf Club, rail biking on the Rando-rail du Pays de Lumbres and many different walking trails.
Discover the destinations recommended by Gites de France Pas-de-Calais : La Côte d'Opale, Grand Site National des 2 Caps.
How to get to Saint Omer : TGV train and A26 autoroute. Saint Omer is a 40 minute drive from the main towns of the Nord-Pas de Calais region : Lille, Dunkerque, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais and Arras. From Calais take A16 towards Paris/Reims.
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Au Chemin du Paradis
in ST MARTIN LEZ TATINGHEM - Pas-de-Calais
Guest house
Mille et Une Feuilles
in SAINT MARTIN LEZ TATINGHEM - Pas-de-Calais
Our new accommodations
Lodging
Le Halo du Val
in ABLAIN SAINT NAZAIRE - Pas-de-Calais