La Cotinière, Château d'Oléron

The starting point is at the Port de la Cotinière.

(S/E) Head north-west along Rue du Port, where all the shops are located. Cross the whole of La Cotinière to the junction just past the chemist’s and bike shop.

(1) Turn right onto Rue des Chateliers for 300 m and follow the cycle path straight on all the way to Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron. Cross the D734 and pass the fire station, continuing along the street to a roundabout.

(2) Turn right onto Rue de la République, then take the second left onto Rue du Temple. Continue to Place Camille Memain, where the Lanterne des Morts stands.

(3) Leave the square on the right to join Rue de la République, which you follow to the left. Continue straight on and take the second street on the right for 50m, then the first on the left, following the ‘cycle’ route.
After 200 m, turn right onto Rue des Marais in Saint-Pierre.

(4) After 200 m, take the cycle path. At the end of the path, continue straight on for 50 m and you will find another cycle path on the right. At the end of the path, turn right and cross the entire hamlet of La Boirie.

(5) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and turn left. After 200 m, turn left onto a very pleasant cycle path leading to the hamlet of Arceau and go round it on the right, following a small leisure park.

(6) Cross the road and rejoin the cycle path that crosses the Marais aux Oiseaux.
The path ends at a crossroads.

(7) Turn left onto a small road leading to the hamlet of La Morinière, passing in front of the beaver park. Continue along this road to the centre of the village of Les Allards. Turn right onto Rue de la Paix and follow it for 150 m.

(8) Then turn left onto Route des Huîtres, which crosses former salt marshes and leads to Les Cabanes de la Baudissière.

(9) Continue along this road, heading south-east, to Château d’Oléron. At the entrance to the village, the road turns right then left to reach a roundabout.

(10). Take the^3rd exit towards the town centre. After the entrance gate, veer right then turn left into the main street leading to Place de la République.
Go round the square on the right and then continue straight on to reach the Citadel.

(11). Turn back towards the square; at this point, it is best to walk along Rue Victor Hugo on the right.

(12) and head towards the Porte d'Ors next to the gendarmerie.

(13) At the roundabout, take the first exit, then at the second roundabout take the second exit onto the D275. Pass by a few huts and continue to the village of Ors, situated at the foot of the Pont d’Oléron. Cross the village, heading initially towards the bridge.

(14) Look for a small road :: which branches off to the right and leads to a place called Le Chantier.
Cross the main road, the D26t.

(15) Turn right onto the cycle path that runs alongside this road. Follow the path for 2 km. At the end of the path, turn left onto the road and cross the hamlet.

(16) At the crossroads, go straight ahead first, then turn left, cross the D126 road and continue straight on for 500 m.

(17) At the crossroads, turn left for 100 m.

(18) At the next crossroads, turn right onto a cycle path that leads back to La Cotinière, running alongside the road and through the Forêt des Fourneaux. This will take you to the port (S/E).

The suggested starting point is at the port of La Cotinière, but it is also possible to start from any point along this route.
No drinking water points have been identified. The water from public toilets may not be safe to drink.
Cycle paths are often shared with hikers, so please take care.

La Côtinière: the port.
Saint-Pierre d'Oléron: the church, the Lantern of the Dead.
Le Marais aux Oiseaux, Myocastors Park, the huts on the Oyster Trail.
Le Château d'Oléron: the citadel.