Some useful addresses

Office de tourisme	05 46 01 12 87
Piscine Municipale	05 46 01 00 01
Port de plaisance	05 46 01 02 99
Bibliothèque	05 46 35 12 39
Transports BUS SNCF	05 46 01 10 30
Ocecar	05 46 00 21 00
Taxi	05 46 01 01 67

MARANS in country of Aunis, & in the marsh poitevin. Short history:

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With the Middle Ages, the dukes of Aquitaine initiate the first work of draining. L ` undertaken is considerable. The risings of the river and the attack of the water left bay of the pivot are as many obstacles to the exploitation of the grounds. A few thousands of years before the sea had reached the town of NIORT.

The part played by the monasteries is soon essential La conquest of the ground is organized. Monks cistercians, Benedictines, join the first owners. The channel of the five abbots becomes the keystone of a gigantic hydraulic network. The current country of Aunis sees soon being born its first vineyards. The one hundred year old war will devastate this territory. However, Henri 4 is allured by the magic of the place. Sully is charged to restore the marsh. It calls upon the know-how of Dutch, specialists in the polders. Louis XIII, then Louis XIV, then Napoleon Ier, will continue this titanic company. During second the the XIX century half, the channels are widened. The transformations are such as soon, it is necessary to build stoppings and locks. In the wet marsh, nature includes its rights. In this universe built by the man, around Marans and until Niort, a wild world is organized.

The vegetation is soon luxuriant there. Otters, will hérons and of eels the marsh invests gradually. Nowadays, MARANS in the heart of PARK INTERREGIONNAL between sea and wet marsh, the quays of the Niort sèvre which cross the city, as well as the marina which accomodates 180 boats near the center - city.