FAQ – Visit the Audomarois marsh: walks, strolls and hikes around Saint-Omer

The Audomarois marsh offers many possibilities for visits to discover its natural beauty and unique heritage. Here are the main ways to visit the marsh:

Boat

A boat ride is one of the best ways to explore the marsh. There are several options:

• Guided Promenades in bacôve (traditional boat) offered by ourselves (the Boat Makers) and other boatmen.
• Guided tour in a converted bargeSome companies in the marsh offer cruises in “bâteau mouches” with 24 to 64 seats on the main routes.
• Location of rowing boats or electric boats, for independent exploration.
• Rental of a Canoeing and a kayak for a more sporty immersion at water level.

Walking

There are several trails that allow you to explore the marsh on foot:

• The path of Lansbergue : 6 km of ideal walk for observing the fauna and flora between Tilques and Serques.
• The Marais House Park in Saint-Martin-lez-Tatinghem.
• The nature reserve of the ponds of Romelaere in Clairmarais, with its developed trails.
• Basin Trail between Nieurlet and Clairmarais (17km).
• The Booneghem trail (portion of the basin trail for a shorter hike).

By bike

Cycle routes allow you to explore the surroundings of the marsh, particularly around the Neufossé canal and on the agricultural land consolidation paths.

Trotti-trail

Yes, it is possible to visit the Audomarois marsh by trotti-trail. The trotti-trails are 100% electric all-terrain scooters.

Information: Ô Marais by ISNOR rue du marais in Clairmarais: 07 67 50 87 90

Several piers allow you to visit the Audomarois marsh:

Saint-Omer/Clairmarais : Les Faiseurs de Bateaux, located at 43 route de Clairmarais, offer guided tours and boat rentals. Information and reservations on this site and at 06.08.09.94.88

Clairmarais: Ô Marais by ISNOR offers departures from their pier by bacôve or large passenger boats.

Saint-Omer: The Maison du Marais offers 1-hour trips in a traditional boat departing from Avenue du Maréchal Joffre.

Salperwick: Au Bon Accueil offers boat trips and guided tours of the Audomarois marsh.

Arques: Since 2024, Ô Marais by ISNOR has been offering departures from the town of Arques to discover the river world and cross the Fontinettes lock.

These different starting points allow visitors to choose the pier best suited to their itinerary and their preferences for exploring the Audomarois marsh.

To visit the Audomarois marsh on foot, several options are available to you:

The Booneghem trail : The Booneghem trail is a family hike of approximately 6 km that crosses the Audomarois marsh, classified as a Ramsar and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Starting at the Grange Nature de Clairmarais, this circuit offers an immersion in varied landscapes between Pas-de-Calais and the North. Hikers discover local market gardening, in particular the emblematic cabbages and cauliflowers of Saint-Omer. The route includes crossing the Romelaëre Nature Reserve, rich in biodiversity, and offers the unique experience of chain ferries to cross the Zieux canal. With an average duration of 3 hours, this walk offers opportunities all year round to observe the fauna and flora of the marsh.

The Marais House Park in Saint-Martin-lez-Tatinghem : The park located near the Maison du Marais in Saint-Omer is home to a conservatory garden where around twenty varieties of local vegetables are grown to preserve traditional market gardening. The Moulin de l'Aile, restored in 2013, featured on the trail, illustrates the historical techniques of draining marshes using its Archimedes screw. This site is also a place to relax with green spaces and eco-grazing areas with sheep. Ideal for a short digestive stroll, near the city center of Saint-Omer and the public garden.

The Romelaëre ponds nature reserve in Clairmarais: The National Nature Reserve of the Étangs du Romelaëre, located in the heart of the Audomarois marsh, extends over 104 hectares of unspoiled nature. Originating from former peat bogs exploited until the 15th century, it now offers a unique landscape of ponds, wet meadows and reed beds. Marked trails, accessible to people with reduced mobility, allow you to explore this exceptional biodiversity. The observatories are ideal places to admire the many species of birds that inhabit the site. The reserve is open from March 15 to December XNUMX and is a starting point for many hikes.

The Lansbergue trail : The Lansbergue trail, located in the heart of the Audomarois marsh, connects the villages of Tilques and Serques. This 5,7 km hike offers a glimpse of the most beautiful landscapes of this marsh. The route runs along the Lansbergue, allowing you to observe the network of watergangs that encircle the lègres, long strips of cultivated land typical of the marsh. You will find wet meadows and watercress beds there. The trail alternates between island houses, waterways, holiday areas and pastures. The trail is marked by the Communauté d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer.

Agricultural land consolidation paths also allowing you to discover its natural and heritage riches. This is particularly the case in the suburbs of Lyzel and Haut-Pont, in the Brockus marsh and the Doulac marsh (in Saint-Omer).

In addition to the traditional visits to the Audomarois marsh, two interesting routes allow you to discover the region from a different angle:

The Fontinettes route: This route runs along the Neufossé-Arques canal and highlights a unique element of industrial heritage: the Fontinettes boat lift. This is the last boat lift still standing in France. Built in the 13,13th century, it allowed barges to overcome a height difference of XNUMX metres. Guided tours are available to discover this technical feat and its history.

The Cuvette trail: This hiking trail in Clairmarais offers a beautiful diversity of landscapes. This 17,1 km route crosses both the forest and the marsh and allows you to observe the rich biodiversity of the marsh, particularly in the wet meadows and offers viewpoints on market gardening and traditional livestock farming. This marked trail is accessible from the Grange Nature, the starting and finishing point of the trail.

The Audomarois marsh offers many possibilities for cycling enthusiasts. Here is how you can explore this region on two wheels, in particular via circuits and routes proposed by the VTT FFC Entre Monts et Marais de Saint-Omer website:

• Circuit n°4 “La cuvette”: 17,1 km starting from Grange Nature in Clairmarais. Topoguide on the site Trails in France.
• Circuit n°5 “Along the Houlle”: 12,3 km starting from the church of Houlle. More information on the website of the Houlle town hall

A 12 km circuit around the Marais Audomarois is offered by The Beautiful Escapes, allowing you to discover the Marais de Clairmarais and its ponds by Californian or Ruffian bike.

Also check out the Audomarois Cyclist's Guide for detailed information on fun routes in and around Saint-Omer.

Yes, it is possible to kayak or canoe in the Audomarois marsh, which offers 170 kilometers of navigable waterways. Several options are available:

The Boat Builders rent Canadian canoes (3 places) to discover the marsh with family or friends. An illustrated map is provided to fully appreciate the Audomarois marsh and its landscapes without getting lost. The outing can be done for a day, half a day, on circuits of 1h30 or 2 hours.

O Marais by ISNOR also offers tours from 1h30 to a full day, with a “riverbook” to help you find your way.

The canoe-kayak club : The Canoe Kayak Club of Saint-Omer (CKCSO) offers a variety of activities, such as an introduction to kayak polo and discovering the Audomarois marsh by water. They offer kayak and canoe rentals for 2 hours on the canal or for a half-day/day in the marsh.

At the Bon Accueil in Salperwick also offers rental of 3-seater canoes to explore the Audomarois marsh.

Bring your own canoe or kayak. It is possible to navigate with your own equipment. But it is necessary to use the public quays to embark so as not to encroach on private places. Example of a starting point in Saint-Omer: the Doulac in the Haut-Pont suburb or the quay located in the Houtte sector.

Canoeing is ideal for enjoying the peace and quiet of nature, listening to birdsong and not disturbing the wildlife. However, it is important to know how to swim and immerse yourself!

Here, all the information on renting canoes

Stand-up paddle boarding is prohibited in the Audomarois marsh.

There are several reasons for this ban:

• A special police regulation (RPP) governs navigation in the Audomarois marsh. This regulation specifically prohibits the practice of stand-up paddle, as well as other activities such as water skiing and the use of beach equipment.
• The historical presence of numerous submerged piles in the marsh, once used to maintain the banks, poses a safety risk. These piles are often invisible and their exact position is unknown, making them dangerous for certain types of more vulnerable boats.
• Managing waterway traffic is necessary to ensure the safety of all users and preserve navigation infrastructure, given the 340 kilometers of river banks in the marsh.
• Swimming is prohibited, due to the risk of contracting leptospirosis (muskrat disease). Stand-up paddleboards and beach equipment, which are likely to capsize, are also prohibited for this reason.

According to the special police regulations (RPP) of the Audomarois marsh which came into force in December 2019, inflatable devices are subject to specific restrictions:

Inflatable canoes and kayaks are permitted, provided they are not considered “beach gear.” To be permitted, an inflatable kayak or canoe must be more than 3,50 meters in length. Boats less than 3,50 meters are classified as “beach gear” and are prohibited. All beach gear, including air mattresses, inflatable boats and buoys, are therefore explicitly prohibited in the marsh.

However, it should be kept in mind that some banks are covered with metal sheets and some banks hide piles and submerged wrecks. It is therefore necessary for inflatable canoes and kayaks to be reinforced.

It is important to note that the use of unauthorized boats may result in a fine if checked. Visitors must therefore ensure that their equipment complies with the regulations before navigating in the Audomarois marsh.

In general, a permit is not required to visit the Audomarois marsh by boat under certain conditions:

• If the boat is less than 5 metres in length and is equipped with a propulsion power (thermal or electric) of less than 4,5 kilowatts (6 hp), no licence is required.
• For boats between 5 and 20 metres in length, the owner must hold a registration card or equivalent document.
• If the boat carries passengers within the meaning of the law, a member of the crew must hold the Special Passenger Certificate (ASP)

It is important to note that all boats sailing in the Audomarois marsh must comply with the Special Police Regulations (RPP) in force. In addition, boats must be equipped with the necessary safety equipment in accordance with the regulations.

At the Bateaux Faiseurs, our boats measure between 4 and 5 meters and are propelled either by oars or by electric motors equivalent to 3 horsepower (between 1 and 2 kW). No license or navigation card is therefore necessary.

Find all the information on renting here electric boats