La Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu

Loire-Atlantique > France

The Grand-Lieu lake is home to more than 300 species of birds. It is known for the many waders you can see here, including the Eurasian Spoonbill.

Added* by Audrey Cadou
Most recent update 8 September 2022

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Description

Grand-Lieu is one of the oldest lakes in France. Classified as a Ramsar site, Natura 2000 site, national and regional nature reserve, it has remarkable flora and fauna. More than 300 species of birds have been seen here. Depending on the season you can observe: Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Ruff, Whiskered Tern, , Eurasian Hobby, Black Kite, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Eurasian Coot and Common Kingfisher. The visitor center of La Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu is a good starting point to explore the lake.

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Français: Le lac de Grand-Lieu accueille plus de 300 espèces d'oiseaux. Il est connu pour ses grands échassiers notamment la Eurasian Spoonbill. Grand-Lieu est l'un des plus anciens lacs de plaine de France. Classé site Ramsar,site Natura 2000, réserve naturelle nationale et régionale, il possède une faune et une flore remarquables. Selon la saison vous pourrez observer: Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Ruff, Whiskered Tern, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Hobby, Black Kite, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Eurasian Coot et Common Kingfisher.

Details

Access

15 minutes from Nantes, La Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu gives you access to the lake on the national nature reserve. Parking is available to visitors. You can also go by train or bus to Bouaye. A circuit around the lake allows you to observe the lake and its marshes in Saint-Aignan de Grand-Lieu (Pierre-Aigüe), at La Chevrolière (ornithological observatory and at the Maison des Pêcheurs) and at Saint-Lumine- de-Coutais (Bell tower). A circular route around the lakes is more than 50 km, so best done by bike.

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Français: A 15 min de Nantes, La Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu vous donne accès au lac sur la réserve naturelle nationale. Un parking est à la disposition des visiteurs. Vous pouvez également vous rendre en train ou bus à destination de Bouaye. Un circuit faisant le tour du lac vous permet d'observer le lac et ses marais à Saint-Aignan de Grand-Lieu (Pierre-Aigüe), à La Chevrolière (Observatoire ornithologique et à la Maison des Pêcheurs) et à Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais (Clocher).

Terrain and Habitat

Lake , Wetland , Plain , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Wet

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration , Spring , Autumn

Route

Paved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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Map

Top 5 birds

1. Whiskered Tern
(Chlidonias hybrida)

2. Eurasian Spoonbill
(Platalea leucorodia)

3. Glossy Ibis
(Plegadis falcinellus)

4. Eurasian Hobby
(Falco subbuteo)

5. Common Pochard
(Aythya ferina)

Other birds you can see here

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Gallery

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Comments & Tips

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