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Brenne with its thousand lakes
Do like the birds do. Glide for a few minutes and open your eyes. You will see many colours: gold, green, crimson, deep blue. Reed marshes by lakes, brush and wood, green fields dominated by buttons, little hills of red sandstone. In the 7th century, monks replaced the vast marshland by lakes to breed fish.
Over time, Man has fashioned a paradise for animals of all species. Rare birds are the lords of the manor. They migrate, stay or live here. At dawn, the lakes ring to the sound of their songs and beating of their wings. In the magical spring period, Brenne is like a vast crèche. In total, 150 species make their nests here: the whiskered tern, the very rare purple heron, the elegant eared grebe (with red eyes!). The unusual red-backed shrike does something odd with its prey. It pins them to the thorns of bushes or to the barbed wire bordered the fields: a strange pantry.
Brenne is home to Europe's largest population of European pond terrapins, the mascot of the Regional Nature Park: 100 000 little turtles, easy to observe in summer when they sunbathe. There are a great many insects with, in particular, two-thirds of France's dragonfly species. These elegant insects are the favourite meal of the northern hobby and the European bee-eater, which capture them in full flight.
There can be no animals without plants – and this area has a wealth of botanical treasures: 1,200 plant species. You will be spoilt for choice with the orchids, such as the tongue orchid, or aquatic plants such as the floating-water plantain and, in the drier areas, the marsh dock.
Brenne is a welcoming area
In the hamlet of Bouchet, you will find the Maison du Parc where you can get information about all the best ways to get to know the local landscapesand taste local specialities. Hidden close to a lake, the Maison de la Nature presents the plant and animal life.In this area of infinite discoveries, the best places to observe are the lookout posts where you can see without being seen. They are often located alongside the lakes, as are the nature trails.
There can be no animals without plants – and this area has a wealth of botanical treasures: 1,200 plant species. You will be spoilt for choice with the orchids, such as the tongue orchid, or aquatic plants such as the floating-water plantain and, in the drier areas, the marsh dock.Brenne is a welcoming area
In the hamlet of Bouchet, you will find the Maison du Parc where you can get information about all the best ways to get to know the local landscapesand taste local specialities. Hidden close to a lake, the Maison de la Nature presents the plant and animal life.In this area of infinite discoveries, the best places to observe are the lookout posts where you can see without being seen. They are often located alongside the lakes, as are the nature trails.