The Brenne Natural Park
holidayinfrance.biz
The Brenne Natural Park is only 15 minutes drive from our self catering gite holiday accommodation
For Hiking, Biking, Mountain biking, Horse riding, Rock climbing, Caving, Golf, Canoeing, Angling, Fishing, Hunting, Bird Watching, orienteering, archery, tennis, moto-cross, paint ball or quad-bike view the link below.
English Version http://www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr/english/
French Version http://www.parc -naturel-brenne.fr
The riches of La Brenne
East of Chateauroux and north of the Creuse River in the Indre department of France is La Brenne, one of the most important areas of etangs (lakes) in France (see map overleaf). An internationally important wetland, La Brenne harbours natural habitats and species of wild plants and animals that are threatened. This lake-dotted landscape appears natural, but is the work of man.
In the Middle Ages monks moved into the area and established the important abbayes of Meobecq, Saint-Cyran and Fontgombault. Lakes were built so that fish could be farmed for the monks’ table. Little by little the inhabitants cleared the land, building dykes to improve the unrewarding soil and reservoirs to water their herds. During the Revolution, many of the lakes so formed, were emptied ‘in the interests of public health’. So they remained until the 1920s and ’30s when, under the influence of the Orleans Railway Company, many of the lakes were re-established.
In 1989 ‘Le Parc naturel regional de la Brenne’ was inaugurated to watch over the amazing biological diversity of the lakeland area. La Brenne is a magnet for birds. Having spent the winter in Africa, many return to the lakes to nest. Around 150 species of the 267 recorded stay to breed. The best known are Purple Heron, Night Heron, Black-necked Grebe, Bittern, Little Bittern, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Marsh Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, and an abundance of wetland warblers (no fewer than sixteen species have bred), shrikes and numerous ducks and egrets.
The interest of the area is not solely for its birds, for the lakes are France’s most important sites for the European Pond Tortoise (or Terrapin). In these ideal conditions they seem to flourish. Throughout the high summer months fresh-water tortoises can be seen hauling out onto waterside logs for lazy sessions of sunning themselves. Dragonflies and butterflies are abundant: a number of butterflies that are rare in England are common in La Brenne. These include Large Tortoiseshell, Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail and White Admiral. We were constantly diving for our guide-books, but all too often they fluttered away before a conclusive identification could be made. No less rich is the plant life, from orchids (36 species) to ancient oaks, vast reed-beds to dry heath. The woodlands and heaths provide cover for the larger mammals - Red Deer, Roe Deer, and Wild Boar.
There are a number of public hides. During the summer two are staffed by naturalists for two hours most mornings. One naturalist spoke faltering English, the other only French but he made up for it with a quick-draw guide-book and a well-practiced pointing finger.
The area is well provided with an abundance of restaurants serving mouth-watering local dishes. All the major villages have excellent tourist offices, and at La Bouchet is a splendid visitors centre for Le Parc naturel regional de la Brenne.
Although rich in interest, La Brenne is not an extensive area and most important habitats are within a short drive of almost any of the villages. It is a perfect place for the all-round naturalist who prefers unhurried and peaceful viewing and an ideal resting place for a few days when journeying through France.
Brian A. Fuller http://www.cumbriabirdclub.freeserve.co.uk/CBCnews/riches_of_la_brenne.htm
Home - Accommodation - Availability - Booking Form - The Bread Oven - Contact Us - Flight & Ferries - La Maison - Local Towns - Markets - Terms & Conditions - Links - Amusement Parks - Argentomagus Roman Museum - Argenton Sur Creuse - Badecon - Bed And Breakfast - Belabre - Brenne Natural Park - Chateauroux - Clermont Ferrand - Eating Out - Eguzon - Facts And Figures - Frequently Asked Questions (faq) - Fetes - Fishing - Directions From Bourges - Directions From Caen - Directions From Calais - Directions From Clermont Ferrand - Directions From Le Havre - Directions From Limoges - Directions From Poitiers - Directions From Tours - Gargilesse - La Chatre- Le Blanc - Leisure - Limoges - Local Contacts - Local Towns - Location - Long Term Gite Rental - Oradour Sur Glane - Orleans - Places Of Interest - Poitiers - Road Travel - Shopping - Special Offers - St Benoit Du Sault - Swimming - Valencay - Walking - Wines Of France
Please use these links if you are experiencing problems with the menu at the top of this page
This page contains details on our French style self catering holiday cottages & gite accommodation to rent in
Badecon-Le-Pin, Argenton-Sur-Creuse, Near Eguzon, Indre, Centre, Department 36, France
© 2005 Holiday In France - www.holidayinfrance.biz