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, offers guided tours and boat rentals. Information and reservations are available on this website and by calling 06.08.09.94.88.

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

Saint-Omer: La 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-friendly hike of approximately 6 km that crosses the Audomarois marshland, a Ramsar site and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Starting at the Clairmarais Nature Barn, this route offers an immersion in diverse landscapes between the Pas-de-Calais and Nord departments. Hikers discover local market garden produce, including the cabbages and cauliflowers emblematic of Saint-Omer. The route includes crossing the Romelaëre Nature Reserve, rich in biodiversity, and offers the unique experience of using chain ferries to cross the Zieux Canal. With an average duration of 3 hours, this walk offers opportunities to observe the marsh's flora and fauna year-round.

The Maison du Marais Park in Saint-Martin-lez-Tatinghem : Located near the Maison du Marais in Saint-Omer, this park houses a heritage garden where around twenty varieties of local vegetables are cultivated to preserve traditional market gardening practices. The Moulin de l'Aile, restored in 2013 and featured along the route, illustrates historical marshland drainage techniques using its Archimedes screw. The site also offers a relaxing space with green areas and eco-grazing zones for sheep. It's ideal for a short stroll after a meal, near the Saint-Omer town center and the public garden.

The Romelaëre Ponds Nature Reserve in Clairmarais: The Romelaëre Ponds National Nature Reserve, located in the heart of the Audomarois marshland, covers 104 hectares of protected natural area. Originating from former peat bogs exploited until the 19th century, it now offers a unique landscape of ponds, wet meadows, and reedbeds. Marked trails, accessible to people with reduced mobility, allow visitors to explore this exceptional biodiversity. The observation points are ideal spots to admire the many bird species that inhabit the site. The reserve is open from March 15th to December 15th and is a starting point for numerous hikes.

The Lansbergue Trail : Located in the heart of the Audomarois marshland, the Lansbergue Trail connects the villages of Tilques and Serques. This 5,7 km hike offers a glimpse of the marsh's most beautiful landscapes. The route follows the Lansbergue stream, allowing you to observe the network of drainage ditches that encircle the "lègres," long strips of cultivated land typical of the marsh. You'll find wet meadows and watercress beds. The trail alternates between island houses, waterways, holiday areas, and pastures. The trail is marked by the Saint-Omer Agglomeration Community.

The agricultural land consolidation paths also allow visitors to discover its natural and heritage treasures. This is particularly true 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 Trail: This trail follows the Neufossé to Arques canal and highlights a unique element of industrial heritage: the Fontinettes boat lift. It is the last remaining boat lift in France. Built in the 19th century, it allowed barges to overcome a difference in elevation of 13,13 meters. Guided tours are available to discover this technical feat and its history.

The Cuvette Trail: This hiking circuit in Clairmarais offers a beautiful diversity of landscapes. This 17,1 km route crosses both the forest and the marsh, allowing you to observe the rich biodiversity of the marsh, particularly in the wet meadows, and offering views of market gardens and traditional livestock farming. This marked trail is accessible from the Grange Nature, the starting and ending 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 Audomarois Marsh is offered by Les Belles Échappées , allowing you to discover the Clairmarais Marsh 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-seaters) for exploring the marsh with family or friends. An illustrated map is provided to fully appreciate the Audomarois marsh and its landscapes without getting lost. Outings are available for a full day, half a day, or on 1.5-hour or 2-hour routes.

Ô Marais by ISNOR also offers tours from 1.5 hours to a full day, with a "riverbook" for navigation.

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

Au Bon Accueil in Salperwick also offers 3-person canoe rentals to explore the Audomarois marsh.

Bring your own canoe or kayak . It is possible to paddle with your own equipment. However, you must use the public docks to launch in order to avoid trespassing on private property. Examples of launch points in Saint-Omer include Le Doulac in the Haut-Pont district or the dock in the La Houtte area.

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 you'll find all the information about canoe rentals.

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 about electric boat rentals here.