Escape to the peace of the Audomarois marshes in St Omer

 

It’s easy to assume people are exaggerating. You’re probably tired of holiday companies who promise the moon on a stick, a paradise as otherworldly as it is unachievable. So if we told you that the Audomarois marshes (Marais Audomarois) is a unique hideaway, you’d shrug and assume hyperbole, right?

 

Well, sometimes you can trust the blurb. This haven near Calais, is a wetland that lies at an unusual intersection of coast, Flanders land and Artois hills. The area, designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, has been cultivated into a floating market garden, and it’s the only one of its kind in France. Walk the Marais’ paths and buy direct from the growers as you meander.

 

 

 

 

 

There’s something about the triumvirate nature of the Marais’ make-up that means this is not only a place of great beauty between earth, water and sky, but also one with ever-changing light and colours. Relax to the sounds of nature and enjoy the 450 species of plant, 230 types of bird and 26 of fish this region has to offer. 

 

Walk, cycle, or perhaps take to the 700km of waterways in a canoe, a motor boat or one of the Marais’ historical long wooden boats – a ‘bacove’ or an ‘escute’. You can celebrate their heritage by visiting one of the only remaining boatmakers too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frédéric Stopin is a market gardener and host to one of the most tranquil accommodation options in the region. Why not rent his boat, the Peniche Hollandaise ? It comes with a relaxation guarantee ; a calm and rural environment, the sound of lapping water to lull you to sleep but only a short walk from the centre of St Omer. We think you’ll also love eating your home-cooked breakfast – with Frédéric’s speciality jams - on your boat’s wooden terrace.

 

 And – although we’re loathe to burst that bubble of peace – you may want to visit Ferme du Milou in Tatinghem, a French cheese farm just outside St Omer for some healthy local produce. The milk from the cows makes their Batistin cheese – it takes 10 litres of the white stuff to make 1kg of cheese! – so let Flore delight you with her welcome and savoir-faire. Buy cheese there or at the Marché de Saint-Omer on Saturday mornings, or at the Greedy Sundays that are held in Hardelot during the summer.

 

We can’t go without mentioning Les Hortillonnages d’Amiens. In the original river bed of the Somme are 300 hectares of gardens criss-crossed by waterways. Where once there were 250 ‘hortillons’ or gardeners working this incredible landscape, there are now just 10 and the area is used for a mix of gardening, fishing, nature observation and rest. Read more