Use our predictive tool to check crowd levels at the park entrance and identify the quietest or busiest times. These are indicative forecasts, updated daily and refined as your visit approaches. You can book your ticket for dates beyond this 15-day window.
CHOOSE THE BEST TIME TO EXPERIENCE NATURE.
The Marquenterre Park is one of France’s premier sites for observing wild birds, located in the heart of the Baie de Somme National Nature Reserve.
Each season offers a unique spectacle: migrations, nesting periods, bird gatherings, or winter sightings.
Check visitor forecasts and the latest information to plan your visit under the best possible conditions.
WHAT CAN BE OBSERVED RIGHT NOW ?
End of the migration period
Spring migration is currently drawing to a close, and many species have settled at their breeding grounds.
Depending on when you visit, you may spot various iconic species of the Baie de Somme, such as pied avocets, black-winged stilts, Eurasian spoonbills, herons, egrets, ducks, and migratory shorebirds.
What you see changes from week to week, in step with the seasons and the birds' natural movements.
Our guides are available along the route to help you observe.
Remember to bring your binoculars. Rentals available at the reception desk (ID required).
13 observation points distributed along the route
6 km of trails suitable for everyone
1.5 to 3-hour visit at your own pace
ESSENTIAL INFO
OPENING TIMES
Closing the ticket offic : 2 hours before the closing of the site
NATURE SHOP
LA MAISON DU PARC
A range of Nature products to discover for young and old: gift ideas,
games and toys, bookshop, decorations, local products, souvenirs... Learn about the birds: books, Baie de Somme Nature CDs, decorations, fragrances and local "sea buckthorn" products.
ACCESSIBILITY
Car park 5 spaces reserved for people with disabilities are located in the Parc du Marquenterre car park. A 150-metre path then leads to the Maison du Parc where the ticket office, shop and restaurant are located, as well as toilets.
Park House People with disabilities benefit from a specific access queue at the ticket office where they will be welcomed by aware and trained staff.
Park visit The 6-kilometre course is completely laid out in compacted Marquise sand, allowing easy access for people in wheelchairs and strollers. The person in a wheelchair must be accompanied because there is a first climb at the start of the route. The rest of the path is then completely flat. The shortcut via post n°9 is not recommended because a sandy area is difficult to cross in a wheelchair. Posts n°1, n°3, n°5 and n°6 offer openings suitable for people in wheelchairs for bird watching. The Parc du Marquenterre regularly develops new openings to make the course more and more accessible to all. Post no. 13, otherwise known as La Héronnière, is also easily accessible by wheelchair and allows unobstructed observation. Wheelchairs can be made available on request at the Park reception.
Horse-drawn carriage tour We offer guided horse-drawn carriage outings in the Bay of Somme on the maritime part of the Nature Reserve. These outings are accessible to everyone, including people in wheelchairs up to a maximum of 2 wheelchairs in the carriage. For any questions or reservations, do not hesitate to contact us directly by calling 03 22 25 68 99 then pressing 3 (every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 7 p.m. from April to September).
Adult: 12€ Reduced entry for adults (student, job seeker, member of a nature protection association): €10.80 Adult with a disability: €8.40
Child (from 6 to 17 years old inclusive): €8.60 Reduced entry for children (member of a nature protection association): €7.80 Child with a disability: €6 Free for children 6 and under
Family package (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children): €35.10 (additional child: €7.30)
Rental of binoculars and strollers (upon presentation of proof of identity) : €5
Subscription card (access all year round during site opening hours): €45 adult / €30 child
TO NOTE A detailed map of the site will be given to you before you enter the course.
MEANS OF PAIEMENT
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Public toilet and baby exchange at the Maison du Parc - Dry toilets mid-way - Free parking for buses / cars / camper vans – bike racks - Tourist information point: check out the documentation for the sites to visit in Baie de Somme - Binocular hire point
- Dogs, even on a leash, are not allowed in the Nature Reserve and Parc du Marquenterre.
- It is forbidden to picnic in the Nature Reserve and on the course.
- The route is only on foot
HIKING START POINT
Parc du Marquenterre is the starting point of cycling excursions and
walks to discover the essential sites of the Baie de Somme: the seaside
resorts of Crotoy, Quend-Plage and Fort-Mahon-Plage, the town of Rue... On site : bike tour map, restaurant and bar open to cyclists wishing to take a break
The forecasts are generated using an analysis model that takes into account several factors influencing park attendance: visit history, the calendar, school holidays, weather, and trends observed in the area.
Are the forecasts guaranteed?
No. This is an estimate intended to help visitors choose when to visit. Exceptional events or specific weather conditions may affect actual visitor numbers.
What is the best time to visit Marquenterre Park?
Each season offers its own particular appeal. Migration periods (spring and autumn) are especially popular with birdwatching enthusiasts, while times with fewer visitors allow for a quieter experience.
Can we come without a reservation?
Depending on the time of year, access may be possible without a reservation. However, booking in advance guarantees your entry and allows you to choose the time slot best suited to your visit.
How long does the visit last?
Most visitors spend between an hour and a half and three hours exploring the Park, depending on their pace and interest in observation.
Closing the ticket offic : 2 hours before the closing of the site
