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Park in the large free car park at the foot of Fort Vauban.
(S/E) From the car park exit, with the fort on your left, turn right. Ignore all paths branching off to the left and head slightly downhill towards Rochefort. Walk along the southern beach of Fouras.
(1) Shortly afterwards, turn right onto a sandy path along the seafront. Further on, the path becomes a hard-standing track: head due south and stay as close to the sea as possible. You’ll reach a junction near Fort Lapointe (private property).
(2) Turn left onto a very narrow road and immediately ignore a path branching off to the right. Pass by the foot of the Petit Phare de Soumard. At the end of the narrow road, go through a metal barrier and you’ll immediately come out onto a wider road.
(3) Follow this road to the right towards Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée. At the next junction, turn right (cycle sign 13).
(4) After about a hundred metres, turn right, go through a wooden gate and join a very narrow road. Pass by the foot of the Grand Phare de Soumard. Further on, the tarmac gives way to a track.
(5) Just before a metal gate, turn left onto a track and follow a canal on your left. On your right, the Charente comes into view through the bushes. After a sharp left-hand bend and a right-hand bend, you’ll reach a junction with a small road (lovely view of the Charente and Fort Lupin on the right).
(6) Carry on straight ahead along a path (ignore the small road). The river is more clearly visible; note the numerous fishing huts.
(7) At the next junction, turn left onto a small road with a 30 km/h speed limit, marked by speed bumps. Carry on straight ahead until you reach a junction near a motorhome parking area.
(8) Carry on straight ahead, passing the community hall and then the town hall of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Pré.
(9) At the next junction (church on the right), go straight on down a street where entry is prohibited except for cyclists (cycle sign 13). After about fifty metres, turn left onto a track. At the next junction, go straight on into Rue du Clos du Moulin. When this road bends to the left, continue straight on along a compacted track.
(10) Join Rue du Clos du Moulin again and follow it to the right through a housing estate. At the T-junction, turn left.
(11) After about 250 m, turn right onto Chemin rural du Clos, which is closed to all traffic except local residents and cyclists (cycle sign 13). Keep going straight on.
(12) At the end, first turn right then left to cross the D937c carefully and take a smaller road that slopes down slightly. At the bottom, turn right towards Fouras then immediately left to reach a junction on the edge of the D137.
(13) Then turn left onto a flat path which then descends slightly.
(14) At the end, first turn left then right to cross the D214e1 and join a gravel cycle path. After about 700 m, continue straight on along the cycle path, which becomes tarmac, and follow the Anse de Fouras on your right.
(15) At the end, go through a wooden barrier and carry on straight ahead along a concrete cycle path running parallel to Rue Grignon de Montfort (on its left-hand side). As you approach a roundabout, turn right to cross the road along the cycle path.
(16) Go round the roundabout on the right and take the first exit, towards the town centre.
(17) At the next roundabout, take the first right towards Plage Nord. At the end, turn left and follow the beach. At the Stop sign, pass by the foot of two beautiful oak trees and go straight on into Avenue Louise de Bettignies.
(18) When the road bends to the left, carry on straight ahead along a gravel cycle path. Then turn right onto a tarmac cycle path and keep as close to the sea as possible, following a low wall on your right.
(19) You’ll come out onto a street (Port Nord on the right) and take the first turn left then right to join Boulevard de la Jetée. Ignore all the streets on the left.
(20) At the Stop sign, turn right onto Avenue du 11 Novembre (D937c).
(21) Continue straight ahead along the road.
(22) At the fork in the road, turn right into Allée du Tourillon. At the second fork, which comes up immediately, turn right again and stay on Allée du Tourillon. Just before a gate, turn left.
(23) You’ll immediately come out onto a road running perpendicular to the one you’re on; follow it to the right. At the end, go round a small square on the right.
(24) At the Stop sign, turn right onto a wide, concrete cycle path running parallel to the D937c.
(25) Turn right towards the ferry terminal for Île d’Aix. At the corner by the ferry ticket office, turn left onto a hard-packed path along the seafront. You’ll reach the start of the Passe d’Énet (superb views of Île d’Aix; to the right, Fort Énet; opposite; and, in the distance, Fort Boyard and Île d’Oléron).
(26) Leave the hard-surfaced path and cross the Fumée car park via a concrete path. At the end, turn left to cross the D937c at the pedestrian crossing.
(25) Join the wide, concrete cycle path and follow it to the right.
(24) Turn right onto the D937c.
(22) Continue straight ahead along the road.
(21) Turn right towards Grande Plage and go round a car park on the right. Head slightly uphill through a shaded section and keep going straight on. Ignore a turn-off on the right and you’ll soon come to a junction (Stop sign; cycle sign 13).
(27) Turn right here. Continue straight on towards Fort Vauban, which is clearly visible. Ride alongside the Grande Plage on your right, go slightly uphill, pass the fort and you’ll immediately see the car park on your right (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
