Every now and then, if one spends really any amount of time on the internet, then one might happen to lay eyes upon an impossibly cute animal that one had never previously heard of before but immediately falls in love with. The Poitou donkey, from France, is just such a creature! One of the largest breeds of donkey in the world, these big and fluffy animals have very sweet faces and are characterised by their long, shaggy hair. Thought to have once been status symbols among French nobility and originally bred to be used in agricultural settings, they can now largely be found in petting zoos and on estates, charming all those who pass by or who decide to come to visit them especially.
The increasing use of machinery in the 20th century saw the need for once essential work animals such as the Poitou donkey drop rather dramatically so that, by 1977, it is thought that just 44 of the breed remained throughout the entire globe. Subsequent conservation efforts brought this number up to 450 purebred examples by 2005 and one place where you can now see these adorable animals is the Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou in Dampierre-sur-Boutonne. Just book a vacation rental in Aquitaine and while you’re exploring this varied and beautiful landscape, drop by to meet some of the adorable Poitou donkeys!
Located about an hour from the town of La Rochelle, this public centre is dedicated to conserving the charming breed, set over 55 hectares. Tracing back to one of the largest herds, the herd of Suzanne Auger on her farm, La Tillauderie, this eventually became the Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou.
With paths winding through the grounds of the historic farm and the surrounding forests and fields, visitors are invited to come wander about and to meet the donkeys as they discover this picturesque part of the French countryside on vacation in Aquitaine.
Guided tours are available, bringing you to meet the donkeys (and their foals if it is the right season!) and explaining all about the conservation methods in place. These tours last about one hour and cost just €6 for the full-price ticket, €4 for the reduced-price tickets, and are free for children under 6.
Other ways to explore include the self-guided tour option, wheelchair-accessible carriage rides with the animals themselves, as well as picnic walks with a donkey, and the nature safari. It is also possible to spend time grooming, cuddling, and feeding the donkeys. All of these are possible and available upon request and reservation so get in touch with them if you are interested. Furthermore, there is a museum on site that is dedicated to the history of the farm and to the donkeys. Other events, festivals, and celebrations also often take place on the farm so check out their website to see if there is anything exciting coming up soon!
Open most days throughout the year, with a closure only over the Christmas holidays, it is pretty easy to fit a trip into your time on holiday in Aquitaine so be sure to drop by if you love animals or if just so you happened to fall in love with the pictures of these guys the moment you saw them as we did! The perfect thing if you want to relax, unwind, and breathe in some fresh air and something that everyone in the family can enjoy, it is a wholesome way to spend a day during a stay in a villa in France!
Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou
La Tillauderie
17470 DAMPIERRE SUR BOUTONNE
Tél. : 05.46.24.68.94
Fax : 05.46.32.52.20