The first part of the route takes you along the coastal trail with a section around the outskirts of the small ports of Lauzières and Plomb.
Small viewing points are scattered along the route giving you the chance to observe the Pertuis Breton and the Ile de Ré and its bridge.
The return leg takes you around the outskirts of the Nieul-Sur-Mer communes and then L'Houmeau.
Calculated time: 4h45[?] 
Distance : 16.42km
Vertical gain : 11m
Vertical drop : 10m
Highest point : 16m
Lowest point : -2m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Location : La Rochelle
(17000)
Starting point : N 46.176343° / W 1.219257° 
Ending point : N 46.176335° / W 1.2178° Park in the toll-station car park at the foot of the Ile de Ré bridge.
(D/A)Take the coastal trail at the foot of the cycle path on the Pont de Ré in a northerly direction. Continue on the coastal trail up to the edge of the Marsilly commune.
(1) At the Port du Plomb, go between the basin and salt marsh and then continue on the cycle track and past the Pointe du Rigolet with its viewing point.
(2)When you see the carrelets (fishing huts) and before the Marsilly golf course, take a right on the Route de la Mer toward Nieul-Sur-Mer. Walk around the golf course and continue straight until you reach a Stop sign. Continue via the Rue du Marais.
(3) At the first pedestrian crossing, after an archery range, turn right on the tree-lined path toward the water treatment plant.
Keep going straight while remaining on the left-most path.
(4) When you arrive at the tarmac road (Rue de l'Ouaille), turn right and stay on the same street up to a roundabout. Continue opposite along the Rue du Petit Plomb, then turn right at a fork of tarmac roads.
(5) Continue straight over at the first crossroads on a dirt path between cultivated fields to the left and marshes to the right.
(6) At a 90° bend to the left, walk through the field to the right, being careful to remain on the tracks made by farming equipment.
When you're back on the tarmac road, turn left. Keep going straight. When you have passed two farm buildings and after a wooden barrier forbidding access to vehicles on the road previously taken, veer immediately right on the marked trail.
(7) Stay on the path that runs between the marshes and cross the place known as Hémonois to rejoin the Impasse des Claires.
(8) Turn right to reach the Rue du Port and then left. Rejoin the coastal path and turn left to get back to the trail you took from the start point (D/A).
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 5m
1 : km 3.73 - alt. 1m - Port du Plomb
2 : km 7.94 - alt. 5m - Route de la Mer - before the golf course
3 : km 9.59 - alt. 4m - Right-hand path after the archery range (Archers d
4 : km 10.25 - alt. 4m - Rue de l'Ouaille
5 : km 11.43 - alt. 2m - Right-hand fork on the tarmac track
6 : km 11.82 - alt. 6m - Path through the field
7 : km 12.38 - alt. 3m - Take the marked path after the barrier
8 : km 12.9 - alt. 6m - Right toward the Rue du Port
A : km 16.42 - alt. 8m
No-drinking water en-route
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Numerous viewing points with orientation tables along the coastal path. They are located on blockhouses and provide an opportunity to take excellent shots of the Ile de Ré bridge, the island of Ré and the Pointe de l'Aiguillon.
13.56km
+16m
-16m
3h55
Easy
Starting point in Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré - 17 - Charente-Maritime Bois-Plage-en-Ré is the seaside resort of the Ile de Ré with long beaches lined with dunes. It is also a wine producing region with plenty of wooded areas.
10.96km
+12m
-12m
3h10
Moderate
Starting point in Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis - 17 - Charente-Maritime A beautiful walk along Frace Lake, which is popular for fishing and walking, and on through the little town of Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis, where you can visit the Ouchettes cheese dairy and goat farm.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
