The wild countryside of La Brenne Regional Nature Park, which covers 166,000 hectares, is dotted with over 2,000 lakes and ponds and a paradise for flora and fauna, especially migratory birds that stop there to reproduce. A dream destination for botany and ornithology fans, this haven of peace strewn with lakes and ponds, marshland, reed beds, moors, prairies and woods is home to no fewer than 2,300 animal and 1,200 plant species! Among its most emblematic are European pond turtles, purple herons, orchids, black-necked grebes, ducks, Eurasian bitterns and dragonflies.
To discover the rich biodiversity of this magnificent area of calm and serenity, visitors can take a number of discovery trails dotted with information panels, including the Sentier du Blizon (in Rosnay) and the Sentier de Beauregard (in Saint-Michel-en-Brenne), and peacefully admire the birds from hides in Chérine nature reserve, and at Foucault, Bellebouche and Massé lakes.
The 160-hectare Mer Rouge lake is the biggest in the park, while Bellebouche lake has a water sports centre and a great sand beach to relax on.
La Benne heritage museum (Ecomusée de la Brenne), housed in Château Naillac in Le Blanc, teaches visitors about the history of La Brenne from prehistoric times to today.
Also not to be missed are the Maison de la Nature et de la Réserve in Saint-Michel-en-Brenne for its exhibition on La Brenne's natural heritage, and the park visitor centre (Maison du Parc) in the hamlet of Le Bouchet in Rosnay, which puts on exhibitions and a slide show about La Brenne, as well as offering tastings of local produce.
