Barzan walks

A very refreshing hike along the Gironde estuary.

"Muddy waters"! With its muddy waters, the Gironde estuary is every bit as impressive as the Mississippi. On the edge of this austere expanse sits one of the most beautiful villages in France, Talmont-sur-Gironde.

A walk along four beaches and cliffs between Meschers and Saint-Georges de Didonne. It can be shortened by almost 6 km by not making the round trip to the Vallières lighthouse on Saint-Georges beach. The walk will be easier if the tide is not too high, as the route follows the beaches.

Hike under the holm oaks of the coastal path, at the top of the cliffs overlooking the mouth of the Gironde estuary, through the Suzac Forest and the beaches of Meschers-sur-Gironde or Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. Along the way, you'll see the remains of the Atlantic Wall, and offshore, the famous Cordouan lighthouse, known as the Versailles of the sea. To the right, looking towards the mouth of the river, you'll see Royan and Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.

A very pleasant walk with magnificent scenery. You will pass along fine sandy beaches, close to magnificent fishing huts and sumptuous limestone cliffs in which real troglodyte cities have been carved out (Regulus and Matata caves). A visit to the seaside resort of Meschers will precede your return through the Suzac forest.⚠️ 16/04/2025: Route modified on the hike sheet due to passage through private property.

The vine-covered hillsides of the Gironde are dotted with small hills planted with various crops and vines. The landscapes open up along the paths leading to the estuary. The marshes can be seen from the Beaumont hill. There you will discover a cone-shaped tower dating from the 19th century, but whose first constructions probably date back to the Middle Ages. Even today, the Beaumont Tower still serves as a navigation landmark.

This walk takes you from the charming port of Goulée to the picturesque site of Richard Lighthouse via the port of Richard. It alternates between paths, quiet roads and natural areas. Along this easy route, you will discover all aspects of the estuary: ports, marshes, vineyards and historical heritage.

The Vallières and Suzac headlands mark the ends of the long beach at Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. First skirting the former, you pass by the lighthouse that makes the place so photogenic. Then, after a long walk from one end of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne beach to the other, you reach Suzac Point, which is much wilder. The destination of the walk is Suzac beach, a little gem nestled between two points.

This route allows you to discover Sablonceaux Abbey in the middle of the fields from several angles. The route passes through woods, fields, vineyards and horse farms, giving you an insight into the diversity of agricultural activities around Sablonceaux.

The first part of the circular path is in the Forêt des Combots d'Ansoine, followed by a walk along the beach and then along a coastal path dotted with numerous fishing huts and passing by the Puits de l'Auture, a natural curiosity worth discovering.

Starting from the church in Saint-Izan-de-Médoc, this circular route takes you around the former viscountcy of Castillon, which in the Middle Ages had the privilege and exclusive right to trade wine from the Médoc to England. It will allow you to appreciate the unique natural features of this part of the Médoc.

A delightful, easy walk to discover the marshes surrounding the picturesque village of Mornac-sur-Seudre.

Discover Saintes, a town steeped in history, cradled by the waves of the Charente.

Circular through the former salt marshes of Saint-Just-Luzac

The old Crazannes quarries offer a surprising landscape of steep stone cliffs and narrow gorges. The resistant white stone has been used to build or restore monuments such as Fort Boyard. Les Lapidiales offers visitors a free, open-air museum, where the excavations left by the quarrymen give the impression of being in the middle of a giant labyrinth, and where the sculptures are a delight to discover.

Bordered to the South by the Charente river, theSaint-Laurent area consists of a small town gathered around its church and its 11th century portal, several villages spread across the valleys and the hills as well as farms and secluded dwellings.

Located at the confluence of the Né and Charente rivers, the Merpins commune has been permanently occupied by men from very early times: arrowheads, pottery shards, and later an imposing medieval fortress, an 11th century church and an abbey dating back to the 12th century are the living proof. These fertile lands are home to meadows, cereal fields and a Grande-Champagne listed vineyard.

A circular starting from Trizay Abbey towards the cave and the Creux Nègre rock passage. This geological curiosity in the region is carved into the ancient cliffs that line the Arnoult valley. Half of the route is on tarmac, on very quiet roads, allowing you to discover the market gardens on the rich lands of the Arnoult valley (home of the Pont l'Abbé bean).

A circular starting from the citadel of Brouage takes you through the marsh to Hiers.If you are quiet enough along the route, you will be able to see herons, egrets, nutria and, in summer, storks up close.Most of the route follows tarmaced marsh roads that are very quiet.

Set off to explore Brouage!

This short 5 km circular takes you around Pointe de Gatseau, the southernmost point of the Île d'Oléron, and allows you to discover the wild Pertuis de Maumusson (passage between the island and the mainland), which is only accessible on foot or by mini train during the season

A pleasant hike to discover two Médoc châteaux (Beychevelle and Ducru Beaucaillou) and the estuary with its carrelets. This route, with its varied landscape and modest length, is ideal for a lovely family walk.

This circular walk starts from the village of Saint-Trojan and takes you through the national forest, along the wild Atlantic coast with the impressive Maumusson sea channel, and around Gatseau Bay. It offers a complete panorama of the southern tip of the Île d'Oléron, far from the cars and crowds of the beaches. Please note: To be able to walk easily on the hard sand between (4) and (5), it is necessary to check the tide times (see Practical Information section).

The commune of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains is located at the south-western tip of the Île d'Oléron, bathed by the Pertuis de Maumusson and the Coureau d'Oléron. Its large sandy beaches, pine forest, mimosa trees and mild climate make Saint-Trojan-les-Bains a very popular seaside resort.

Saint-Sulpice-de-Cognac is pleasantly located between the marshlands of the Antenne River and limestone hillsides. There, are hidden the remains of the Agrippa Roman road as well as forgotten local railroad. Cherves-Richemont is graced with the Antenne River and offers an unexpected diversity of landscapes. Its historic heritage is particularly rich: Romanesque churches, Château Chesnel, watermills, manor houses….

A hike through the rolling, wooded landscape of Saintonge. Upon arrival, you can admire the lantern of the dead and the Romanesque portal of the church of Fenioux. Information panels provide details about these two monuments. You will follow part of theGR®655(a route to Santiago de Compostela, via Tours) and theGR®360, but there are no reliable markings along the route.

A short walk in the heart of a protected natural environment, where you can encounter many species of birds and enjoy a guaranteed change of scenery.

Formed by the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, the Gironde Estuary is the largest estuary in Western Europe (600 km²) and the best preserved in terms of landscape and environment. Bordered by the vineyards of Médoc and Côtes de Blaye, this estuary is home to many inhabited and uninhabited islands that are well worth visiting.

Circular coastal loop on the west coast of Île d'Oléron. The first part is in the Saint-Trojan National Forest, followed by a long walk on the beach, before a final stretch in the forest. Visorando app recommended.

An easy hike between the marshes of Château, La Chevalerie, Grésillon, Le Fief de la Gombaudière, Le Riveau and La Renisière. Please note that this hike is not possible in winter, as some paths are impassable when wet. From April to October, no problem.