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From the D735 after Rivedoux-Plage at the entrance to Île de Ré, turn right to reach the Abbaye des Châteliers car park.
(S/E) From the car park, take the white path to reach the ruins of this abbey completed by Cistercian monks in 1156. Before entering for a self-guided tour, take the time to read the information panel to understand the layout of the site.
Continue to a road.
(1) Turn left onto this small road between the fields, pass the houses at Pointes des Barres and arrive at a fork. Continue left on the road (no entry except for bicycles) and go around the hamlet of Le Marais to reach a coastal path (view of La Flotte).
(2) Turn right, pass a car park and go through a barrier marked "no bicycles" (not always respected). Continue along this path overlooking the rocky reef and pass a path on the right coming from the hamlet of Les Hertaux (sign indicating a return trip to the abbey). Continue to the end of a small dead-end road.
(3) Cross and continue along the path, which is still closed to bicycles. Continue towards Fort de la Prée and go around it (free visit €6.50 in 2023). Follow the access road to join the D735.
(4) Cross with extreme caution and follow it to the right on the safer left-hand side. After about 100 m, at the G.C.U. sign, cross this departmental road again with caution to reach a disused road.
(5) Turn right onto a wide farm track, at the fork (old sign lying on the ground that I have straightened up), keep left then turn right to reach a road (view of the Île de Ré bridge).
(6) Turn left to reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
