Country:
City:
(S/E) Head to the Bernard Moitessier car park, in front of the “Puces de Mer” and the Maritime Museum.
(1) Walk past the museum’s new exhibition spaces, covered with red, yellow and blue spinnaker sails, then follow the Bassin des Chalutiers along the Quai Louis Prunier.
(2) Walk round the La Rochelle Aquarium to reach the Quai de La Georgette, which runs alongside the Gabu tourist area, then follow the Quai Valin.
(3) Once you reach the Old Port, walk around it via Quai Duperré and Cours des Dames, admiring La Rochelle’s historic towers: the Saint Nicolas Tower, the Tour de la Chaîne, the Grosse Horloge and the Tour des Quatre Sergents (or Tour de la Lanterne).
(4) Pass under the archway of the Tour de la Chaîne and follow the seafront along the Esplanade Saint-Jean-d’Acre – a gathering place for artists during the Francofolies – and head towards Rue des Deux Moulins, passing through a gate beneath the ramparts, opposite the Maison au Chat designed by architect Maurice Morguet.
(5) Turn left towards the Porte des Deux Moulins, cross a wooden footbridge, and walk alongside Plage de la Concurrence and Allée du Mail.
(6) At the Casino, you can head down to the water’s edge for a few dozen metres (via the steps). Cross the Parc d’Orbigny and exit onto Rue Philippe Vincent, which you’ll follow until you reach the seafront on your left. Continue along the cycle path to Port Neuf Beach, which you’ll walk alongside via Allée Léon Douzille.
(7) Go round the Fountaine Pajot site and then the CDA wastewater treatment plant, continuing along Allée Léon Douzille.
(8) Opposite the treatment works, turn left onto Rue de la Tour Carrée.
(9) Pass this former powder magazine on your right and continue along the coastal path at the edge of the cliffs (caution advised – do not go near the edge).
(10) Once you reach Chef de Baie beach, it’s time to turn back and head for the starting point at the next junction after the Porte des Deux Tours.
(5) Leave the path you took on the way there on your right and continue straight ahead along Rue des Deux Moulins.
(11) Walk along the ramparts from the Tour de la Lanterne (or Tour des 4 Sergents) via Rue sur les Murs, then rejoin the route at the Tour de la Chaîne.
(4) Continue along the path taken on the outward journey, but in the opposite direction.
(2) Turn right in front of the Aquarium and the Espace Encan to reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
