Discover a unique ecological gem on the Île de Ré: the Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve, a true biodiversity sanctuary nestled in the heart of the Fier d’Ars salt marshes.
Here, nature reigns supreme, and birds are the true rulers of the place.
Book your hotel on the Île de Ré to enjoy this haven of natural peace!
Located between Les Portes-en-Ré and the marshes in the north of the island, the reserve occupies a strategic position on Atlantic migratory routes.
Every year, more than 3,000 hectares of natural spaces become a prime stopover for thousands of waterfowl.
The Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve is home to 227 species, out of the 323 recorded on the entire island: a record that testifies to its ecological richness.
In spring, you might spot rare or vulnerable species such as:
In autumn and winter, during high tides, Brent geese, ducks, and shorebirds come to take refuge here.
Thus transforming the marshes into a living, continuous spectacle...
While the nature reserve is protected and therefore access to its core is prohibited, a network of free trails, accessible year-round, allows you to admire its preserved landscapes.
You will walk along the southern edge of the site, between salt marshes, salt meadows, mudflats, and lagoon areas, in a setting where the silence is broken only by the calls of birds.
To enhance your experience, the Maison du Fier offers:
The diked lagoons, entirely natural and undeveloped, are home to a rich array of flora and fauna: snails, charophytes, invertebrates, and more.
They are essential for feeding and resting numerous birds, as well as fish such as the European eel.
Around the Fier d’Ars, salt marshes, mudflats, and dwarf eelgrass beds cover more than 140 hectares.
These natural environments shelter and nourish a multitude of species: true refuges, resting areas, and breeding grounds for both birds and fish.
The Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve promises a peaceful escape, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
From the Hôtel Plaisir***, reach this preserved site in a few minutes and let yourself be amazed by one of the most beautiful natural settings on the island of Ré.
Here, nature reigns supreme, and birds are the true rulers of the place.
Book your hotel on the Île de Ré to enjoy this haven of natural peace!
A paradise for migratory birds
Located between Les Portes-en-Ré and the marshes in the north of the island, the reserve occupies a strategic position on Atlantic migratory routes.
Every year, more than 3,000 hectares of natural spaces become a prime stopover for thousands of waterfowl.
The Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve is home to 227 species, out of the 323 recorded on the entire island: a record that testifies to its ecological richness.
In spring, you might spot rare or vulnerable species such as:
- the Common Shelduck,
- the Pied Avocet,
- the Black-winged Stilt,
- the Common Tern,
- the Marsh Harrier,
- the Bluethroat.
In autumn and winter, during high tides, Brent geese, ducks, and shorebirds come to take refuge here.
Thus transforming the marshes into a living, continuous spectacle...
An immersion in nature
While the nature reserve is protected and therefore access to its core is prohibited, a network of free trails, accessible year-round, allows you to admire its preserved landscapes.
You will walk along the southern edge of the site, between salt marshes, salt meadows, mudflats, and lagoon areas, in a setting where the silence is broken only by the calls of birds.
To enhance your experience, the Maison du Fier offers:
- binoculars for rent for observation,
- educational exhibits,
- a starting point for better understanding the Fier d’Ars ecosystem.
An exceptional ecological heritage on the Île de Ré
The diked lagoons, entirely natural and undeveloped, are home to a rich array of flora and fauna: snails, charophytes, invertebrates, and more.
They are essential for feeding and resting numerous birds, as well as fish such as the European eel.
Around the Fier d’Ars, salt marshes, mudflats, and dwarf eelgrass beds cover more than 140 hectares.
These natural environments shelter and nourish a multitude of species: true refuges, resting areas, and breeding grounds for both birds and fish.
The Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve promises a peaceful escape, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
From the Hôtel Plaisir***, reach this preserved site in a few minutes and let yourself be amazed by one of the most beautiful natural settings on the island of Ré.
