The grand tour of Marennes, between fresh water and salt water

A walk between land and sea, following in the footsteps of the ghost trains of an old railway line.

Details

67918937
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 39 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 49 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 69 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Marennes (17320)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.821003° / W 1.107184°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1330OT, 1430OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Marennes church.

(S/E) Head south along Rue de la Roche Françoise, continuing until you reach the old railway line, now converted into a footpath and cycle path. Take it to the left and follow it to the Charente Canal at La Seuldre.

(1) Turn left to walk alongside the canal and continue until you reach the swing bridge.

(2) Turn left and head towards the Maisons de la Chasse. Turn right for a few dozen metres, then turn left onto the path marked in yellow. Shortly afterwards, cross the D3 with care and continue straight ahead through the woods until you emerge onto a new road.

(3) Turn left onto this road and, at the next junction, follow the yellow markings to reach the village of Grand Breuil.

(4) Turn left into the fields, then into the forest. Pass under the power line, then near the Château de la Gataudière. Cross the road with care. Continue through the forest to reach the junction withthe GR®4.

(5) Turn left onto it and now follow the red and white markings. Enter the village of La Chainade and continue to the water tower.

(6) Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and turn left. Continue straight on to the gatekeeper’s house. Turn right onto the old railway line. Reach a four-way junction.

(7) Leave the track and turn left, staying on theGR®. Pass under the high-voltage power line again. Leave the Cagouillac road on your right, then cross the marsh and the oyster beds. You will reach the car park at the rest area near the Étoile du Repos campsite.

(8) Now walk along the beach, then go round the Au Bon Air campsite and join the cycle path.

(9) Take it to the left, running parallel to the D728E, and a few hundred metres further on you will reach the old railway line.

(10) Turn right onto it, follow it, then turn left onto Rue Jacques Palacin, turn right onto Rue Victor Hugo and finally left to reach the car park at Marennes Church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 30 ft - Marennes Church car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.23 - alt. 16 ft - Canal de la Charente à la Seudre
  3. 2 : mi 1.87 - alt. 10 ft - Swing bridge
  4. 3 : mi 2.89 - alt. 52 ft - Crossroads
  5. 4 : mi 3.37 - alt. 66 ft - Le Grand Breuil
  6. 5 : mi 4.3 - alt. 52 ft - GR4
  7. 6 : mi 4.95 - alt. 39 ft - La Chainade
  8. 7 : mi 5.81 - alt. 20 ft - Four-way junction
  9. 8 : mi 6.6 - alt. 13 ft - Marennes Beach
  10. 9 : mi 7.48 - alt. 10 ft - Cycle path
  11. 10 : mi 8.07 - alt. 16 ft - Old railway line
  12. S/E : mi 9.08 - alt. 30 ft - Marennes Church car park

Notes

(S/E) Please note: parking in Marennes can be difficult during the high season.

Worth a visit

Make the most of this lovely walk to enjoy some well-deserved oysters.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 24948293

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is poorly marked, so I ended up following the yellow trail markers.
There was no sign for the gate in the woods, but luckily the yellow markings were there.
At Lindron, you forget to encourage hikers to continue on to the Moulin des Loges. What a shame not to discover the last tidal mill in Europe!

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victorien didier
victorien didier

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

very poor description of the route. The start is poorly marked and the end is a complete mess. Luckily we're from the area so we didn't get lost.

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GCous
GCous
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice loop, thanks for sharing
Between the beach, woods and canal
In the Touchelonge woods, between points 2 and 3, after crossing the D3, the path is not well signposted
Turn left to leave the woods through a small gate
In summer, set off in the morning as many areas are not shaded

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GCous
GCous
• Edited:

A really lovely circular walk – thanks for sharing
Between the beach, woods, marshes and the canal bank
In summer, set off in the morning, as many sections are not shaded

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Lili.22
Lili.22

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route through woods, fields, marshes, and both fresh and salt water
Bring a swimsuit if the weather’s fine for a quick dip at Marennes beach, and why not an ice cream too 😉

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jacpic17
jacpic17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk; the section under the D728 between points 1 and 2 is a bit of a tight squeeze, and there was a lot of mud between points 5 and 6, but that’s just the season for it...

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Braguette
Braguette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful land and sea route

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