GB No limits - Discover the Audomarois marsh by kayak

With its 170 kilometres of navigable waterways, the Audomarois marsh is an incredible playground for all canoekayak enthusiasts. A small corner of paradise, shaped and maintained by man since the Middle Ages. Classified as a World “Man and Biosphere” Reserve by UNESCO, you will encounter herons, Eurasian coots, great crested grebes, sheep and other inhabitants during your journey on the water. Load your kayak, paddles and life jacket, we’ll tell you everything you need to know, even our secret places for a lovely ride.

To begin, the quays

Before jumping into the water without falling in, we advise that you equip yourself with the nautical map of the marsh, which you will nd in several outlets including the Tourist Of ce or the Maison du Marais, essential for nding your way during navigation, but also to locate the nine public piers. These starting points - generally wooden pontoons at water level - are specially designed for launching. The marsh being as vast as the city of Lille, you will have the choice between the eastern marsh, a market garden part with pretty vegetable gardens or the western marsh with its Flemish farmhouses and heronries. Depending on this choice, the landscape is a little different, but the pleasure of weaving between the watergangs remains the same wherever you go.

A peaceful wander

Even if in the area, the inhabitants are more accustomed to coming across bacôves, these at-bottomed boats symbolic of the marsh, kayakers are on the rise. It must be said that it is even more practical and easy to access than motorboats because some passages are too narrow or shallow in water. Here, you slide on the water through small streams and venture into watergangs: enough to give you a true feeling of freedom and adventure!

The greatest bene t of kayaking is above all the observation of ora and fauna. Classi ed by Unesco as the «twelfth French biosphere reserve», this wetland contains a third of the French aquatic ora and also allows you to see some of the 240 species of birds. Get your binoculars and if you’re lucky you’ll see a king sher with bright blue and orange plumage appear. As the Romelaëre Reserve is closed to navigation, head to Reninghe or Lansberghe for a slightly more secret place.