Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ – visiting the Audomarois marsh with the Boat Makers
Answers to your questions about visiting the marsh with us and eating by the water
Here's a short list of questions our visitors frequently ask, along with our answers. Schedules, group outings, prices, dog walking, types of outings, waterfront dining... We've basically thought of everything!
We remain at your disposal for any further information! 🙂
Guided tours:
You can enjoy a guided tour in two parts: a half-hour visit to the workshop with a craftsman, who will explain the history of the company and the traditional boatbuilding techniques of the Audomarois region, followed by a boat trip through the marsh. In a small group, accompanied by a local, you'll discover the history of the suburbs, Saint-Omer, and the marsh itself, its fauna, flora, market gardens, polders, and more. Please note that the shipyard visit may precede or follow the guided tour, depending on the schedule and departure time.
In high season (April – October)We offer 6 departures per day: 10:30, 11:00, 13:45, 14:15, 15:15 and 16:30.
In low season: Guided tours are organized occasionally, weather permitting, on weekdays. Stay informed about upcoming departures on our Facebook page!
Free circuit rentals
You can also rent a Canadian-style canoe, a rowing boat or an electric motor boat to discover the Saint-Omer marsh alone, as a couple, with friends or family. In this case, you will be helped by an illustrated plan.
In high season (April-October), We offer several time slots for boat rentals: between 10:30 am and 12 pm and 14 pm and 18 pm
In low season: boat rental possible from Tuesday to Friday afternoon.
Special events
Finally, we organize unusual walks! Morning excursions in the company of a photographer, walks focusing on heritage, night outings… Subscribe to our Facebook page so you don't miss any event!
Reservations are strongly recommended. However, there are no deadlines. Some dates and time slots may be sold out well in advance due to the reception of groups.
You can make your reservation and payment directly online, 24 hours a day. You can also contact us at 24 between 0608099488 a.m. and 9 p.m. However, being a small team and being very busy in the season, it is sometimes difficult to get us.
It is still possible to cancel and postpone a cancellation online when the cancellation/postponement takes place more than 12 hours before the departure time. Otherwise, the full price requested on booking is retained by the boat builders. Indeed, the place/boat reserved remains immobilized on our side, hence this policy.
To postpone or modify a reservation, you can carry out this operation (+ than 12 hours before departure) via your online space. You will find a button provided for this purpose in the return email confirming the reservation.
For groups, cancellation deadlines are specified in the specific terms and conditions of sale.
For guided tours of the Audomarois marsh, the price is €12 per adult, €7,5e/child aged 4 to 13, €9,5/student and free for toddlers during the summer period.
Regarding boat rentals, we offer different circuits:
Rowing boat:
1h15: €25/boat for 1 to 2 people or for 1 to 4 people.
Canadian/Indian canoe 2 to 3 places:
1h30: 20€
2h: 25 €
Electric boat:
1h30: 49€/boat
2 hours (morning only): 49€/small boat
Of course! Guided tours of the marsh, meals on the water, country buffet, incentive/team building, company and work council outings, birthdays, school trips... We are able to accommodate groups of (almost!) all sizes and compositions of all audiences. You can make a reservation request on our group space or compose your tailor-made quote.
Do not hesitate to contact us at 06.08.09.94.88 or lesfaiseursdebateaux@gmail.com to find out more.
At the on-site receptionWe accept cash, credit card payments, restaurant vouchers and holiday vouchers.
Online, you can pay remotely by credit card or Paypal.
During peak season (from April 1st to October 31st), we are open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm.
During the off-season, from November 01st to March 31st, we offer a few departures for individuals on weekdays, weather permitting (check available slots on the booking platform). However, we are closed between December 20th and January 5th.
For groups, contact us at 06.08.09.94.88.
On a guided tour
On guided tours, we always ask other passengers if anyone has any phobias or allergies. If this isn't a problem (and it usually is), our four-legged friends (excluding Category 1 fighting dogs) are welcome on our boats. However, it's still necessary to keep them on a leash and close to you (to prevent them from wandering freely around the boat or deciding to jump overboard to chase a duck!). Leashes are also mandatory on board rental boats and on the site (docks, workshops, and restaurant). To avoid any dog fights, we limit the number of dogs to one per passenger boat.
In free circuit
For groups and families exploring the marshes by boat (free tours), dogs are allowed on board. These must be kept on a leash. However, we decline all responsibility in the event of concerns due to the behavior of the dogs.
Our postal address is 43 route de Clairmarais in Saint-Omer. On this road, 1,5 km from Saint-Omer station or 1,5 km from the church of Clairmarais, small signs invite you to cross a small road bridge bordering a bus stop called “pont Mathilde”. Our car parks are located 50m from this bridge.
For guided tours and boat rentals, we ask everyone to report to reception a quarter of an hour before departure time.
Yes, outdoor activities on boats are generally very popular with children. We are also used to organizing school visits.
Regarding safety, we have life jackets suitable for children aged 0 to 13, teenagers, and adults. Our traditional boats are also very stable.
Picnicking is permitted on our grassy area (our marquee is reserved for restaurant customers). We simply ask that our customers order their drinks from our bar and not bring alcohol onto the premises.
We also ask our customers to take their waste with them.
It is possible to rent a boat to picnic on the water. The banks being private, the picnic takes place in the boat, respecting the site. Visitors are asked not to take alcohol on board and to take away their waste.
We welcome many people with disabilities and know how to adapt our visits. The bar, the terrace and the toilets can accommodate people with reduced mobility in wheelchairs. On the other hand, our traditional bacôves are unfortunately not yet able to accommodate wheelchairs. We are working on it!
For people with reduced mobility who have some muscle tone, it is possible to embark with the help of one or two companions without any problem, as the bacôves are heavy and stable boats, equipped with benches with backrests.
Yes, we have two 100% ecological dry toilets.
We have a car park around our docks that can accommodate 20 cars.
However, buses must park along the road to Clairmarais. Access to our site is in fact reserved for vehicles weighing less than 6 tonnes for safety reasons.
No, the workshop discovery is a little free extra that we offer in addition to a guided tour of the marsh by boat.
No special equipment is required. Just remember to equip yourself according to the weather and to have a small windbreaker on you just in case.
On hot days, also remember to bring a bottle of water and cover your head!
Finally, remember that we decline all responsibility in the event of soiling of your clothes. It is indeed a getaway in a marsh aboard a wooden boat. A casual and circumstantial outfit is in order!
