The wild coast, the Conche des Baleines and the Saint-Clément marshes

Park at Pas de la Digue, free parking.

(S/E) Leave the car park and climb onto the dyke, then head north, staying on the path at the top of the dyke.

(1) At the end of the path, turn right and pass under the lifeboat shelter, then follow the road that leads you to the lighthouse path on your left after crossing a parking area.

(2) Turn left towards the Phare des Baleines lighthouse, which towers majestically above you. Several restaurants and ice cream parlours line this path to the lighthouse. Perhaps an invitation for young and old alike.

(3) The Phare des Baleines lighthouse is open to visitors. In front of the gate leading to the lighthouse, turn right towards the Conche des Baleines.

(4) When you reach the ocean, do not go down to the beach, but turn right and stay on the path at the top of the dyke. Opposite you, you will see groynes and the remains of fish locks (small submersible stone dykes used to trap fish at low tide). Pass in front of the Pas de Chaume pyramid (a former landmark for sailors in the 19th century) and continue a little further along the top of the dyke until you reach the end.

(5) At the end of the dyke, go down to the beach, pass several blockhouses left over from the Second World War and, after crossing the last groyne, just after a viewpoint on the dune, take a wooden walkway on your right to climb to the top of the dune.

(6) From there, head south to join the cycle path, which you will follow towards the Baleines lighthouse (westbound).

(7) Walk carefully along the path, as it is very busy. Follow the cycle path that runs parallel to the RD101 until you reach a roundabout.

(8) Cross the RD101 with caution and take the farm track immediately on your left just after the roundabout. Follow this track into the marshes for just under 2 km.

(9) After passing the Ferme Aquacole des Baleines fish farm on your left, continue to a gate blocking the track. Take the path on your right to cross the Chenal du Batardeau canal marked by a lock. Follow the path on your right, which heads west. This path then turns into a small tarmac road leading to the RD735.

(10) Cross the RD735 with caution and enter the hamlet of Godinand, then follow this small road to a crossroads.

(11) Turn right, then turn left at the next crossroads.

(12) Continue straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

There is no shade on this route, and in the height of summer the heat can be intense in the marshes.

At high tide with a strong tidal coefficient, the ocean can lap at the bottom of the dune and the protective barriers between points (5) and (6). In this case, leave the beach and take a small road running parallel to it. Turn left and rejoin the cycle path that runs alongside the RD101 between points (7) and (8). On the cycle path, turn right and rejoin the roundabout at point (8).

Phare des Baleines