Jaunouse marshes in Billé, Combourtilé, Parcé, Montreuil des Landes

Sphagnum moss (marsh moss) is usually a bright reddish or brownish colour, which is why this kind of peat bog is often known as red marsh. This type of habitat is getting increasingly rare and could disappear. The presence of wet marshes could correspond either to a step in the degradation of a forest in a wet area, or a stage in the evolution of a bog which is drying out. The two dominant plants are 4- angled heather and blue molinia associated with dwarf gorse, English broom, calluna, creeping willow and wild moor orchis.


The diversity of habitats enables each of the 56 species of birds listed on the site, including the European sparrow hawk, buzzard, kestrel and hobby falcon to find the ideal patch to feed and reproduce.    

Given its fragility, Jaunouse marsh requires careful land management. Two rustic domesticated species, Highland cattle and Poitou mules are put to pasture on certain parts of the marsh.

Exploration path: 2.75kms.

The site, covering parts of 4 communes, is extremely rich from an ecological point of view. It is made up of woodland, marshes, meadows of varying degrees of wetness, and sphagnum peat bogs. During the Middle Ages iron ore was quarried here.

