Parc du Marquenterre
Thousands
of birds
Le Marquenterre, a stopover for birds
- 300MIGRATORY BIRD 3
- courses
- 12OBSERVATION posts
In the heart of the nature reserve
the bird sanctuary
With its 200 hectares of dunes, forests and marshes in the heart of the Baie de Somme nature reserve, the Parc du Marquenterre has been a European birding mecca for 40 years, providing refuge for thousands of migratory birds.
Whatever the season, you’ll be able to observe more than 300 species, or thousands of birds (waders, waders, waterbirds, passerines and birds of prey) without disturbing them.
Along the 3 routes, at the 12 observation posts, the naturalist guides are waiting to explain the way of life of their hosts and help you decipher the wild life of these birds that have made the Marquenterre a privileged stopover between Scandinavia and Mauritania. Don’t hesitate to ask them any questions you may have, they’ll be happy to answer them with passion!
Outings and activities
for the whole family
You can discover the park freely by following one of the signposted trails. But you can also opt for special times and themed nature outings that will let you in on all the secrets of wildlife.
On Sunday mornings at 9am, you can take part in a“Nature Encounters” outing to witness the awakening of the park and nature (3h – €20 per adult and €11 per child).
You can also take part in our wildlife photography courses.
On Wednesdays at 6pm, you can book an outingcalled “An evening at Marquenterre” and enjoy a delicious tasting of local produce (3h – €30).
Twilight outings offer a unique and privileged opportunity for discovery. Nature falls asleep and a very special world of sound is waiting to be discovered. Picnic at an observation post (2 hrs – €30).
High tide outings let you discover new landscapes covered by water due to the very high tidal range. This 3-hour outing is reserved for good walkers (€20 per adult, €11 per child).
You can reach Quend-Plage, for example, in complete safety on the network of cycle paths, or choose one of the two nearby circuits: the Tadorne 24km or the Avocette 8km.
Parc du Marquenterre
80120 Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont
A mecca for ornithology in Europe, providing refuge for thousands of migratory birds: waders, waders, passerines, birds of prey…
Birders’ corner
Did you enjoy the Marquenterre park and want to continue the experience? Here are two more birdwatching spots for you to discover!
Grand-Laviers Baie de Somme bird sanctuary
Located just a few kilometers from the Baie de Somme, the Grand-Laviers reserve is a perfectly converted former industrial site! Former settling basins now provide an exceptional biotope for a multitude of bird species over 40 hectares! Observatories have been set up to facilitate observation, and guided tours are available to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
www.reserve-grand-laviers.fr
Hâble d’Ault reserve
This open-access site is a wonderful stopover for hundreds of bird species. Situated behind the seawall, the numerous bodies of water on this site offer migrating birds a calm, restful spot. There are paths that allow you to wander freely, but for a first approach we recommend you follow this route:
The Hâble d’Ault bird sanctuary
Meeting with
PHILIPPE CARUETTE
ORNITHOLOGIST
“The Parc du Marquenterre is a place of sharing and perpetual encounters… Encounters between land and sea, dune and marsh, saltwater and freshwater… Encounters with birds from all over Europe… Encounters between the people who work here every day…”
Le Parc du Marquenterre
schedules and rates
- 3 trails (green: 45 minutes; blue: 1h30; red: 2h) and 12 observation posts
- The park is open every day except January 1 and December 25, and only on weekends from November to February outside school vacations.
- Prices : Adults: €10.50 – Children (aged 6-16): €7.90 – free for children under 6 – Family pass: €33.80
- Restaurant La Tablée du Marquenterre
- Boutique Nature
- Binoculars for hire (€2 for children – €4 for adults) are highly recommended, otherwise you’ll miss out on a lot 🙂
- Dogs not allowed
- Ample free parking
- Picnic tables at the park entrance
- Stroller-friendly course
Where to eat well
near the park
- up close, in the park: the Tablée du Marquenterre. We love the original cuisine of the talented young chef, who has just arrived and offers a jarred menu of fresh, local produce – to be enjoyed continuously from 12pm to 3pm.
- just a few steps away, in the heart of the Domaine du Marquenterre : la Garinière. We love the large outdoor terrace in summer, the open fire in winter, the fish terrine and the mussels and French fries.
- 4 km away, theAuberge de la Dune in Saint-Firmin-les-Crotoy. We love its country inn feel, typical regional recipes such as agneau des prés salés, the menu featuring duck or fish, games and a children’s menu.
- 10 km away, le Petit Chaudron in Rue. We love the refined, gourmet dishes such as the shellfish éclair or the succulent foie gras, and the originality of certain dishes like the camembert peppered and flambéed with calva.
Le Domaine du Marquenterre
right next door
www.domainedumarquenterre.frre.
Serve with toasted wholemeal bread spread with lard.
Just a stone’s throw from the Parc du Marquenterre, on this 1000-hectare estate of dunes and pine forests, you can sleep in one of the 18 small houses of the Résidence des Oiseaux (for 4 or 6 people – weekly or weekend rentals) or in one of the 2 XXL gîtes, La Bergerie and La Marcanteraine (for 25 and 35 people).
Nature guides can take you to discover the estate, the remains of the Atlantic Wall, breathtaking viewpoints over the bay (don’t miss the one at the blockhouse), and meet herds of wild boar and mouflons on electric buggies.
Le Henson Equestrian Center nestles in the grounds and offers horseback riding for beginners or experienced riders in the dunes, pines and on the beach on the back of the mythical bay horse: the henson.
