February 17, 2016

2302 FRANCE (New Aquitaine) - The Green Venice of the Poitevin Marsh


The Marais Poitevin is a large area of marshland in western France, a remnant of the former Gulf of Poitou, consisting for two thirds of a western zone near the sea called the "dry marsh", used for farming and breeding, and for one third of an eastern zone called the "wet marsh", a maze of islets criss-crossed by picturesque canals now used for tourist rowboating and nicknamed la Venise Verte (The Green Venice). It's the largest marsh on the Atlantic coast and the second largest of the whole country.

Nestling between Niort and Aiguillon Bay, the Green Venice is a haven of peace. Its mazes of secret canals, romantic narrow canals lined with duckweed, as well as its rows of ash trees, willows and poplars, give it a unique charm. Coulon, the capital of Green Venice, is a typical town with pretty houses, on the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise. Tourism includes boating in traditional barques, which is a form of punting. The Marais Poitevin is also the most important area of angelica cultivation in France.

About the stamps
The first stamp is part of the series Domestic Animals Babies, designed by Christian Broutin, and issued on April 24, 2006:
• Foal (0.55 EUR)
• Kitten (0.53 EUR)
• Puppy (0.53 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2302
• Lamb (0.82 EUR)


The second stamp is part of the series Mozart's Operas, issued on June 26, 2006:
• The Magic Flute - Vienna 1791 (0.53 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2790
• Don Giovanni - Prague 1787 (0.53 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2635
• The Marriage of Figaro - Vienna 1786 (0.53 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2790
• Clemency of Titus - Prague 1791 (0.53 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2635
• The Abduction from the Seraglio - Vienna 1782 (0.53 EUR)
• Cosi fan tutte - Vienna 1790 (0.53 EUR) - It's on the postcard 2302


The last stamp, designed by Claude Haley, was issued on June 6, 1966 to mark the 9th centenary of the Battle of Hastings. The stamp depicts the castle of Falaise, from which left William the Conqueror, who, after crossing the Channel with his fleet, was crowned king of England after his victory at Hastings against the Saxon Harold on October 14, 1066.

References
Marais Poitevin - Wikipedia
The Green Venice of the Poitevin Marsh - France-Voyage

Sender: Romeo
Sent from Sainte-Radégonde-des-Noyers (Pays de la Loire / France), on 06.02.2016

1 comment: