La Flotte en Ré and the Rivedoux Forest

You can park in the car park near the Abbaye des Châteliers.

(S/E) From the car park, walk past the abbey ruins, keeping them on your right, then turn right onto the tarmac. Follow the tarmac road as it bends left, passing between a few houses to reach the coast at Les Hertaux, facing the Pertuis Breton which separates the Île de Ré from the mainland.
The landscape stretches from the Île de Ré bridge on the right to the Pointe du Groin (La Tranche-sur-Mer) on the left. Opposite lies the Baie de l’Aiguillon and La Faute-sur-Mer.

(1) Turn left towards La Flotte. The path follows the coast as closely as possible. Enter La Flotte via Arnérault beach. Go round the harbour basin, pass the harbour master’s office and follow the coastal promenade on the left for about 150 m.

(2) Leave the coast and cross a car park. Cross the two lanes of Cours Félix Faure. Head towards the market, cross it and exit via the archway at the far end to reach Rue du Marché. Turn right and, after about 20 metres, take a narrow pedestrian passage on the left, Ruelle des Bancs. Cross Rue Camille Mague then continue straight ahead to reach Ruelle de la Guigneraie.

(3) Continue straight ahead, then at the end of the alley, turn left and then right onto Rue Gustave de Chezeau.
Pass a well on the left.

(4) Turn left onto Ruelle du Peux Gaillot, which begins behind this well. Cross Avenue du 8 Mai, continue straight on Rue du Peux Gaillot, which widens. At the end of the street, turn right then head straight along the path opposite, where you’ll find a fitness trail. You will come to a building materials supplier, which you leave on your left as you follow Rue des Bois.

(5) Cross the main road (D 735) with great care and continue along the path opposite. Carry on straight ahead even where the path is barely visible, then turn left towards the forest. Follow the edge of the forest for about a hundred metres until you reach a crossroads where the paths are hard to distinguish.

(6) Ignore the wide path heading due south and take the path with loose sandy ground heading due east. Cross several paths and take care to keep heading in the same direction for about 1 km. The path narrows, passes between ferns and joins a^PR® marked in yellow.

(7) Turn right, then keep left at the fork that appears shortly afterwards, following the markings. Continue straight on until you reach the T-junction at a place called Les Roberdes.

(8) Turn left towards Abbaye des Châteliers (signposted). Cross a wide track and continue straight ahead. Turn right onto the track, which later bends left to pass under a high-voltage power line.

(9) Cross a cycle path. Continue straight on until you come to a gate. Turn right and join the D 735.

(10) Cross the road and walk along the left-hand verge for about a hundred metres. Then turn right towards Fort de la Prée. Go round it on the left and rejoin the coastal path, which you follow to the Hertaux crossroads.

(1) Turn left and follow the route in reverse to return to the car park at Abbaye des Châteliers, the starting point (S/E).

The route has been mapped out on the ground, so it can be considered accurate. It may be particularly useful at point (6) for choosing the right path at the forest entrance.

This hike cannot be done by bike. The coastal path after the waypoint (1) is closed to bikes and reserved for pedestrians.

Similarly, between points (4) and (5), the ground is loose sand, impassable for bikes but stable enough to walk on without too much difficulty.

The route largely follows paths that are off-limits to bicycles. Make sure you are respected; during the busy season, it’s hellish.

Abbaye des Châteliers.

In season, there is a market every morning in La Flotte. The route passes through it. It retains a very medieval feel with its awnings spread out all around a square.