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IN BRIEF
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The municipality of Esnandes is preparing to host a new community tourist office that will open in 2025. This new establishment will position itself as the “north entrance” of the La Rochelle Agglomeration towards the Regional Natural Park of the Marais poitevin. The initiative aims to enhance the attractiveness of the region and provide visitors with a better tourist experience.
An initiative supported by the La Rochelle Agglomeration Community
Since 2018, tourism has been a competency assumed by the La Rochelle Agglomeration Community (CdA). Currently, the Agglo has two tourist offices for its 28 municipalities, located in Châtelaillon-Plage and La Rochelle. This new office in Esnandes marks a desire to develop a common vision and tools for harmonized tourism management and promotion.
The House of the bay of the Marais poitevin: a new tourism player
The House of the bay of the Marais poitevin, located opposite the fortified church of Saint-Martin in Esnandes, has long served as a tourist information point. Under the direction of Frédéric Braud, president of the Esnandis association, this structure has been focused on eco-tourism since 2009. However, the current municipality has ended the agreement with this association to officially transform the House of the bay into a true tourist office.
Nicolas Martin, general director of La Rochelle Tourism and Events, emphasizes the importance of this transformation: “This is very positive. It will revitalize the site. This new tourist office will become the north entrance of the Agglo towards the Regional Natural Park of the Marais poitevin.” This initiative will create continuity in the tourist offer, linking the bay of Aiguillon as a guiding thread.
A program of renewal and transition
The House of the bay of the Marais poitevin will temporarily close its doors on December 31, 2024, with a reopening scheduled for April 1, 2025. During this closure period, efforts will be dedicated to improving the scenography of the museum of mussel farming, without heavy works starting immediately. According to Nicolas Martin, “there will be a year of transition” during which the cultural exploration of the site will be put on hold, allowing time to redefine operations and management of the office.
Heritage conservation and challenges to be met
La Rochelle Tourism and Events will continue to promote guided tours of the ramparts and the fortified church of Esnandes, although the organization does not wish to take on the management of the educational fishing net of la Prée de Sion. Established after the Xynthia storm in February 2010, this fishing net, funded with the help of the European Union, is currently not desired by the municipality or La Rochelle Tourism. The first deputy of Esnandes, Sophie Pajot, states: “We do not want it at all. No one else wants to take it over either.” A challenge is therefore ahead for the CdA, which must now consider the future of this structure if no one takes over its management.
Future perspectives for local tourism
The development of this third community tourist office in Esnandes represents a key step in the attractiveness strategy of La Rochelle and its surroundings. As the Agglo site transforms and serves a renewed tourist offer, local actors and municipal officials are aware of the challenges and the needs for dynamic management. This project is a golden opportunity to revitalize the region and enrich the visitor experience through adapted services and a diversified offer.
