A 100% natural break The Sougeal Marsh Regional nature reserve awarded the Espace remarquable de Bretagne® label

©Chevaux Dans La Brume Marais De Sougeal Sougeal Brigitte Nicolas Haugeard 3513|Brigitte Nicolas Haugeard

How would you like to discover a regional nature reserve with the “Espace remarquable de Bretagne®” label, located in the heart of the lower Couesnon valley, just a few kilometres from Mont Saint-Michel: the Marais de Sougeal!

Welcome to ... in this haven of biodiversity!

The Marais de Sougeal is 175 hectares of flora and fauna. The ornithological value of this reserve is closely linked to its proximity to the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, and is internationally recognised. The role of the Communauté de Communes du Pays de Dol et de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel, which manages the reserve, is to preserve the site. February is the best time for birdwatching in the Marais de Sougeal.

On the programme: breathing, inspiration, relaxation and escape.

After crossing the countryside, we invite you to park near the Maison du Marais, which is where your nature break in the heart of the Marais de Sougeal can begin.

Breathing: a big breath of air is in order.

Get to the edge of the marsh. The path of your escapade, rich in flora and fauna, is marked out and runs along the entire marsh and will allow you to observe the biodiversity offered by the Sougeal Marsh. Along the way, take a break at one of the two observatories, where you can contemplate the flora and fauna and, above all, let your mind breathe.

Inspiration: The different shades of green leave plenty of room for inspiration.

Birds soaring through the air, swans reliving Swan Lake on the marsh… A real invitation to encounter a landscape that looks so peaceful and yet so rich. So many sights to whet the appetite: the wet meadows and floodplains dependent on the flooding of the Couesnon, the 360 species of flora, the sixty or so species of birds listed here, the thirty or so species of dragonflies and damselflies, the eight species of amphibians that are also present and the pike (of which the marsh is a major site for their reproduction).

©Braley Pierre Couleurs Matinales Imprimee|BRALEY PIERRE

©Gabroy Catherine Ensemble|Gabroy Catherine

©Marais De Sougeal Réserve Naturelle Régionale Aire De Pique Nique|Aurelien Bellanger

Relaxation: Moments of relaxation guaranteed!

Just like the various species that choose the Sougeal marsh as their resting place, borrow this refuge from them for a few moments and like them, let yourself relax. The atmosphere is perfect, with only the sound of birds and air in the foliage to soothe your mind. Take the time to close your eyes and let your ears listen to the sounds of nature.

Evasion: After breathing, being inspired, relaxing properly, the time for escape has come.

Just like the flight of the ducks, your mind can escape… In winter, many ducks such as the green-winged teal or the wigeon can be found on the marsh. In the evening, these species disperse to the shallow peripheral marshes, where they feed throughout the night. During the pre-breeding migrations in February, the marsh also plays an important role for many species of waterfowl. In spring, it attracts thousands of birds on their migratory journey. For hundreds of species, Sougeal becomes the main staging area in the bay (northern pintail and green-winged teal).
Watching the ballet of birds in the air and on the water will take you into a world of nature, perfect for getting away from it all!

Our advice:

We invite you to end your escapade at the Maison du Marais. This area for discovering the reserve set up by the Pays-de-Dol and Mont-Saint-Michel Bay Community of Communes. Here you’ll find a range of tools to help you understand the history of the site, how it works, its traditional uses and, of course, its ecological value. Maps, a timeline and video screens are just some of the ways you can learn about the richness of the marsh. And above all, take advantage of the outings offered by the Maison du Marais.

Watching the ballet of birds both in the air and on the water, will take you into a world of nature, conducive to escape.