France - Butterflies of La Brenne

Tour Code: FRA06

A 6-day holiday, travelling to and from Tours by train, to enjoy the exceptionally rich wildlife of La Brenne, focusing in particular on its remarkable variety of butterflies.

6 days from
£1,395 (Inc train)
Land only price from
£1,245
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Known locally as ‘The Land of a Thousand Lakes’, La Brenne harbours a rich tapestry of habitats including marshes, deciduous woods, dry heathland and farmland. The area we visit has nearly twice the number of butterflies compared with Britain and, as La Brenne is not an extensive area, most of the habitats we visit are within a short drive of our comfortable hotel at Mézières.

  • Travel by train on a flight-free holiday!
  • 97 butterfly species recorded, including many not found in the UK
  • A wealth of blues, coppers, fritillaries & much more
  • Rarities such as Lulworth Skipper & Berger’s Clouded Yellow
  • Great Peacock, nonpareils & wetland species in evening moth-trapping sessions
  • Based in a quiet, picturesque corner of France
  • Led by Naturetrek’s own resident expert

La Brenne lies in an area of central France south of the Loire, about 80 kilometres south-east of Tours and 80 kilometres east of Poitiers. It is known locally as ‘The Land of a Thousand Lakes’ because of the numerous pools, mostly man-made, which dot its landscapes. Owing to the French appetite for freshwater fish, these have been managed over the centuries for fishing, and being privately owned by numerous smallholders, a rich tapestry of habitats has developed, including marshes, deciduous woods, dry heathland and farmland.

La Brenne is both the home and workplace of our local guides, Jason and Emilie Mitchell. Jason has been visiting La Brenne at least annually since 2001, and the region's exceptional wildlife and unique ambiance prompted him to move there with his family in 2013. Both Jason and Emilie have an exceptional knowledge and passion for this little-known wildlife gem lost in central France.

La Brenne has a dense population of breeding birds in the spring. Its heronries are of particular note, with good populations of both Grey and Purple Herons, Little Egrets, and Cattle Egrets (a recent colonist). Night Herons, Bittern and Little Bittern may also be seen with a little luck, whilst a careful search of the lakes reveals breeding Black-necked Grebes and Garganey, and overhead Black and Whiskered Terns — the latter more numerous here than anywhere else in France. No fewer than 16 species of warbler have bred in the area, and these include Savi’s, Great Reed, Cetti’s, Fantailed, Melodious, Dartford and Bonelli’s Warblers. The variety of habitats is particularly appealing to birds of prey. Whilst Black Kites, Short-toed Eagles and Honey Buzzards may be seen over the woodlands, Marsh, Montagu’s and Hen Harriers quarter reedbeds, marshes and arable land, and the dashing Hobby may be seen almost anywhere. In the farmland Quail and Stone Curlew may be found; in orchards and woodland are Wrynecks, Red-backed Shrikes, Black Redstarts, Short-toed Treecreepers, Serins and Cirl Buntings. The calls of Hoopoes and Golden Orioles, and liquid songs of Nightingales complete this classic collection of European birds. Although some of these birds, such as Montagu’s and Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Stone Curlew and Cirl Bunting occur locally or in small numbers in southern England, in La Brenne they are widespread and common. Likewise, a number of butterflies that are rare in England are common in La Brenne. These include the Large Tortoiseshell, Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail, White Admiral and Purple Emperor.

Most remarkably, no fewer than 36 species of orchid occur in the area! Whilst they are not all in flower at the same time, species we have seen on previous visits at this time of year include Early Spider (Ophrys sphegodes), Fly (Ophrys insectifera), Monkey (Orchis simia), Burnt Tip (Orchis ustulata), Lizard (Himantoglossum hiricinum), Tongue (Serapias lingua) and Violet Bird’s Nest Orchid (Limodorum abortivum). Other plants of interest that we should see include Milkweed (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria), White Asphodel (Asphodelus albus), Greater Broomrape (Orobanche rapum-genistae), Hairy Spurge (Euphorbia villosa), Blue Bugle (Ajuga genevensis) and Viper’s Grass (Scorzonera humilis).

Though rich in interest, La Brenne is not an extensive area and most habitats are within short drives of our hotel at Mézières. Thus we can maximise our time spent in the field, limiting the time spent in minibuses. This, therefore, is an ideal trip for the all-round naturalist, or the botanist, entomologist or birdwatcher who prefers unhurried outings, with the opportunity to sit for an hour or more by a lake watching a colony of Whiskered Terns, observing dragonflies, or searching for orchids.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Eurostar and TGV from London St. Pancras to Tours, either via Lille or Paris; drive to La Brenne
Day 2/5
Butterfly and wildlife excursions throughout La Brenne
Day 6
Drive to Tours; TGV and Eurostar train to London St. Pancras, either via Lille or Paris
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Trains
  • Accommodation:

    A small, comfortable hotel with en suite rooms. Rooms tend to be on the small side with quite spartan furniture.

  • Food:

    All included in the price, starting with dinner on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on day 6

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 24th Jun – Mon 29th Jun 1 £1,395
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,245
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£280
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Emilie Mitchell

Tour Leader: Emilie Mitchell

2027

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 23rd Jun – Mon 28th Jun SPACES £1,395
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,245
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£280

Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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