From Pointe de la Fumée to Fort d'Enet

A short walk, which can only be done at low tide, takes you out to sea in an unusual setting.

Details

92159
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -1 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Fouras (17450)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.002796° / W 1.120799°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1330OT, 1430OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the Pointe de la Fumée car park (paying) (the usual car park for taking the ferry to the Ile d'Aix).

From the end of the Pointe de la Fumée car park (starting point), Fort d'Enet is clearly visible offshore. Signs indicate traffic regulations and remind visitors to be vigilant about the rising tide.

(S/E) Take the gravel path leading to the fort. Walk west along this well-marked main path, ignoring the less well-marked paths that lead into the oyster beds.

(1) Reach the islet on which Fort Enet stands (private property). Walking over the pebbles and small rocks, go around the fort on the left and continue west to the edge of the sea. The feeling of isolation and wide open space is astonishing!

(2) Return via the same route as on the way there to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Pointe de la Fumée
  2. 1 : km 1.65 - alt. -1 m - Arrival at the foot of - Fort Énet
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. -1 m - Behind Fort Enet, facing the sea
  4. S/E : km 3.98 - alt. 4 m - Pointe de la Fumée

Notes

NB: This walk can only be done at low tide. It is therefore essential to check the tide times in Fouras beforehand.

When you are on the way or on the Ilot du Fort d'Enet, a sure sign is when the oyster farmers start to move back to the coast. Be careful, the oyster farmers travel by car, tractor or lorry: the time it takes them to return to the coast is therefore relatively short, so pedestrians should plan ahead.
Needless to say, the oyster beds are not there for walkers to help themselves.

In summer, the Pointe de la Fumée car park is often full: plan this walk in mid-season, or arrive early.

This walk can be combined with another walk described on this site from Fouras: From Fouras to Fort La Pointe or Les carrelets de l'Anse de Fouras. You can choose to reach the starting point of one of these walks on foot or by car: in both cases, you must take the road that leads to the Pointe de la Fumée car park in the opposite direction.

Hike completed by the author on 2 May 2014.

Worth a visit

From the islet of Fort d'Enet, there is a 360° view of the coastline, the neighbouring islands and the sea. A beautiful setting! A lovely and original place for a snack with friends.

It is possible to take a tour (for a fee) of Fort d'Enet. Information: tour of Fort d'Enet (dates and times depend on the tides).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Vanoise73
Vanoise73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the spring sunshine
No difficulty

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deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting and unusual route through the oyster beds
To get the most out of it, set off half an hour to an hour before low tide
Meditate behind the fort in the middle of nowhere

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bblà
bblà

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

very well

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Josetteaubry
Josetteaubry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short, unusual route – it's nice to go well beyond the fort!

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Fabienne4454
Fabienne4454

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

With a low tidal coefficient, we won't get very far!

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RASSELET
RASSELET

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very interesting visit to Fort Enet, superb views, interesting and enjoyable commentary from the guide, not to mention some previously unheard information.

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GERANITA
GERANITA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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ggautier4
ggautier4

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hiking among the oyster beds is very pleasant. The view from the other side of Fort Enet is breathtaking.

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