From the Ile de Ré bridge to Nieul-sur-Mer

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.

Technical sheet

210400
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 41 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 32 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 19 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the toll-station car park at the foot of the Ile de Ré bridge.

(S/E)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 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 7 m - Ile de Ré bridge toll plaza car park
  2. 1 : km 3.73 - alt. 0 m - Port du Plomb
  3. 2 : km 7.94 - alt. 7 m - Route de la mer - Before the golf course
  4. 3 : km 9.59 - alt. 3 m - Path on the right after the tublerie archers
  5. 4 : km 10.25 - alt. 4 m - Rue de l'Ouaille
  6. 5 : km 11.43 - alt. 2 m - Right at the fork in the road, tarmac roads
  7. 6 : km 11.82 - alt. 8 m - Path across the field
  8. 7 : km 12.38 - alt. 3 m - Take the signposted path past the barrier
  9. 8 : km 12.9 - alt. 5 m - Right towards Rue du Port
  10. E : km 16.42 - alt. 8 m - Ile de Ré bridge toll plaza car park

Practical information

No-drinking water en-route

In the nearby area

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.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Colette Gréaud
Colette Gréaud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The notice given concerns the entire walk along the coast from 2snades to the bridge over the Ile de Ré. This is a very popular walk with the people of La Rochelle. It's really very beautiful, with the exception of the proximity of the departure point for the Ile de Ré bridge, where there are warehouses.
We really recommend it

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Cmarsil
Cmarsil

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Don't go through the field at point 6; everything is cultivated.
It is better to follow the small road

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Picton79
Picton79

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

lovely walk along the Breton inlet. not an uninteresting return. the viewpoints are on the blockhouses.

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RIGPHI58
RIGPHI58

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The seaside section is pleasant but not very varied; the inland section via Nieul is not very interesting.

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Bonnemag
Bonnemag

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We cycled to the church in Esnandes. The cycle path is well signposted and mostly runs along the seafront (watch out for the cliffs). It's a nice place to be, but the path is often gravelly: it would benefit from being resurfaced with asphalt. Despite this, we were very satisfied.

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Yves Rivaud
Yves Rivaud

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 07, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

In good weather, this is a very pleasant circuit. Beware of guys on bikes disguised as Tour de France riders who ride like crazy (although this is not a general rule).

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Raveleau
Raveleau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The section along the coast is pleasant. A little disappointed by the return loop which passes through Nieul sur Mer.

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pasq al85
pasq al85

Hi there,
nice walk today 24/07/2016 thanks to you! we followed your advice to park, beach houmeau. blazing sun, not many tourists! happiness! picnic on the pebbles looking at the sea! very nice day the change of scenery!

bonne randonnée!
pascale

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choupy40
choupy40

Hello,
I'm glad you enjoyed this little hike. There's no need to go under the bridge as the toll car park is on the Houmeau side. You're right, starting from the beach at l'houmeau is also possible and avoids having to pass close to the toll booth and its vehicles. However, the architecture of the bridge is also worth the diversions and a passage near it can be interesting.

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norbert.poiret@orange.fr
norbert.poiret@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 03, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

bjr ,, skip the start and park directly on the beach of l houmeau , you can take (a little) the circuit in the opposite direction for the view and return on the normal route.

This avoids crossing the car parks on the Pont de Re, going under the bridge, etc. Parking on the beach is easier and spaces are ALWAYS available.

Have a nice walk

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