Estaminet Au Coeur du Marais (Clairmarais)

Estaminet Au Coeur du Marais is a rural estaminet on the Route du Marais in Clairmarais, near Saint-Omer, in the Pas-de-Calais department of the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It lies within the Audomarois wetlands, a marshland of canals and market gardens, and is accessible by boat or on foot trail as well as by road. The setting is a large part of its appeal.

The cooking is Flemish and local. The anguille fumée du marais, smoked eel from the marsh, is the signature and reflects the wetland's traditional fishing. The tarte au fromage blanc, a soft white-cheese tart, is the regional dessert, and the bière de Saint-Omer provides a local drink to accompany the meal. Mains cost roughly €14 to €20, a moderate price.

The atmosphere is informal and rural, with a calm waterside feel and moderate noise. There is no dress code, and many diners arrive after a boat trip through the marsh or a walk along the canals. The drinks list centres on local beer, in keeping with the estaminet tradition.

The estaminet is open Thursday to Sunday for lunch only, from 12:00 to 15:00, and is closed Monday to Wednesday. Reservations are recommended on weekends, when day-trippers and boat tour groups arrive. Because opening days are limited, visitors should confirm before travelling. The Clairmarais forest and the Audomarois nature reserve are nearby, and a meal fits naturally into a half-day excursion from Saint-Omer. Weather affects the experience, with spring and summer the most pleasant seasons for the marsh.