Parc du Marquenterre
At the heart of the Bay of the Somme Nature Reserve
Where man and nature meet
Between land and sea , with its 260 ha of dunes, of forests and marshes, Marquenterre Park is a conserved space that will seduce you with its unique landscapes and natural riches.
Over 360 species have been observed, the same as in Camargue, where the surface is fifteen times greater!
Inside the park, 14 observation posts allow you to easily observe (and in complete tranquillity) the birds that come from all of Europe, or return from Africa.
To start off, an educational journey offers a first meeting with the flora and the birds of the marshes.
Along the 2 great observation trips (4km and 6km), the paths set up to cater for children and grown-ups (or accessible as a family), we invite you to enter the intimate world of birds.
INFO+ : The nature guides are there to observe the birds with you, helping you to decipher the wildlife.
Nature Meetings at the Park
New 2010
(Weekly meetings, because every outing is unique …)
Guided tour “Awakening the Senses”
- A weekly meeting, accessible to all and recommended for blind or visually-impaired people, organised around listening to nature, touching and tasting. The nature guide will be your Ariadne’s thread; all of your senses will be awakened.
- Every Sunday from 15 March to 30 September. Meeting at 9:00am.
Duration: 2h30. Exclusively by reservation.
Guided tour “Backstage at the Park”
- Experience a privileged moment with nature before the park opens its gates to the public. Accompanied by one of our nature guides, you will witness an unforgettable show, “made-to-measure”.
- Every Saturday from April to September. Meeting at 9:00am. _ Duration: 2h30. Exclusively by reservation.
Another side of the park:The Bay of the Somme in a horse-drawn carriage
Thanks to the Boulonnais carthorses you can set out with a nature guide to discover the ecological diversity of the Bay of the Somme, departing from the Park House.
Accessible to all, at all times, this carriage visit of 1 to 4 hours is recommended for people with reduced mobility. By reservation.
Testimony
Philippe CARRUETTE
Ornithologist
"Nature exudes such extraordinary vital energy, infusing us every day with a solid dose of optimism!"
Practical information
The Marquenterre Park
25 bis chemin des Garennes
80120 Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont
Tél : 03 22 25 68 99
Fax : 03 22 25 20 79
GPS : N 50.26406°, E 1.58569°
Extra Service: Bicycle park available to you
GOOD PLAN: Goal: Occitan in the Bay of the Somme: come and see in your car, we offer you binoculars on location.
parc.marquenterre@baiedesomme.fr
www.baiedesomme.fr
How getting there at parc du marquenterre..
2010 Park opening hours
01/01 to 03/01 and from 16/01 to 31/01: every day from 10am to 5pm (ticket office closes at 3pm)
01/02 to 31/03: every day from 10am to 6pm (ticket office closes at 4pm)
01/04 to 31/09: every day from 10am to 7:30pm (ticket office closes at 5pm)
01/10 to 15/11: every day from 10am to 6pm (ticket office closes at 4pm)
16/11 to 31/12: every day from 10am to 5pm (ticket office closes at 3pm)
Note, closing for maintenance from 4 to 15 January inclusive
2010 Rates
INDIVIDUAL RATES – VISIT TO THE MARQUENTERRE PARK
Entrance Adult €9.90
Entrance child up to 16 years: €7.90 (free for under 6 years)
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 children: €33.80, child supp.:€7.50
Member card €40.00 Adult / €25.00 Child
Reduced price for members of nature conservation associations, students, unemployed and disabled people (exclusively on presentation of proof)
Material: hiking shoes, winter boots, binoculars
INFO +: If you don’t have binoculars…, we rent them out! Identification guide available in our bookshop.
INFO +: Site accessible to all, only by guided tour “Awakening the Senses”
Information in relation to accessibility: 03 22 25 68 99
INFO +: You are in a regulated space, so dogs, even if they are on a leash, are forbidden. Private boxes are made available to you for free (subject to presentation of ID).
Activities and services
The shop
Take the Bay of the Somme with you! Nature’s shopping space offers you regional products and a specialised bookshop.
The Bistrot du Marquenterre
For large meetings, we offer a hot or cold buffet consisting entirely of seasonal products. To be enjoyed around a table especially laid out for you, in a warm and convivial atmosphere.
Guided tours
Learn how to observe fauna and flora and which places in the Parc du Marquenterre are of greatest interest at different times of the year.
Introductory tour
The introductions for individuals are organised every day at 10:30am and at 2pm (departing from the Park House). Accompanied by a guide, you will familiarise yourself with the common species of the Bay of the Somme (duration around 1h).
Naturalist trips
For two or three days, experience nature’s rhythm and follow our scientific guides to learn about the fauna and flora of the Baie de Somme. Share in a real life adventure from dawn to dusk as you experience some of the wildlife’s high points. Our teaching team will put together specific programs for you, in keeping with the seasons: spring and fall migrations, wintering and nesting.
For more information, contact us.
Nature instruction
Are you an instructor, student, researcher, member of a works council or an association? Would you like to have your students or colleagues learn about the Parc du Marquenterre? Our teaching team will be happy to work with you to put together a customized program adapted to your needs.
For more information, see our educational materials and do not hesitate to contact us.
Nature Activities. Don’t forget your equipment!
The Parc du Marquenterre is welcoming animal photographers with a “citizenship photo” approach, that is to say with respects to the environment and with the aim to pass on knowledge about flora and fauna.
Certain equipment has been booked and installed especially for professionals or experienced photographers, such as hides (privileged access outside public opening hours) or sliding hatches/trapdoors in observation huts.
For further information,. please contact us by e-mail .
Seminars
Hold your seminars in a unique setting and sensitise your colleagues and partners to environmental protection.
Download
"Les Crocs" marked walking tour (french only) - PDF (321.6 kb)
Brochure 2010 - PDF (3.1 Mb)
Four conference rooms (french only) - PDF (94.6 kb)
For more information
Explore the natural areas of the Baie de Somme
On one of the itineraries recommended by the Conseil Général de la Somme.
www.somme.fr
Your stay in bay
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