The Fouras Marsh and the Pierres Closes

The Marais de Fouras is located north of Saint-Pierre, bordered by the Charras Canal and the Frênes levee. It is a natural area that is home to herons, storks and many other birds. The route then takes you to the Pierres Closes dolmens near the Charras Canal and back to Saint-Pierre via the Route Impériale, with a view of the Prée Salée.

Details

878305
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 13 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 13 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 18 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Saint-Laurent-Fouras railway station (bus stop).

Route marked in green by Lau'Rando.

(S/E) Take Rue du Bois Mâché towards Saint-Laurent, after 200 m turn right onto Chemin de la Garenne. At the end, cross the road carefully and continue opposite towards Touchelonge. In the hamlet, turn right onto the small road that joins Route de la Gare, then follow the latter on the left until you reach Le Péré.

(1) At Le Péré, turn right onto Route de la Perrière. Cross the railway line at the level crossing, then leave the private road leading to Champon on your left. This will take you to La Perrière farm.

(2) Go straight past the farm and descend towards the Marais de Fouras. After 200 m, turn right. Walk along the marsh for just over 1 km until you reach the Cabane de l'Est.

(3) Go up the Coteau de la Grande Motte on the right. Pass Maison Neuve and follow the Route de la Cabane de l'Est to the hamlet of La Barre.

(4) Then turn left onto Rue des Allées. Follow it to an intersection and continue on Route de la Grande Houmée.

(5) When you reach Logis de La Grande Houmée, continue in the same direction along the grassy path in the marsh, behind the hedge to the left of the small canal that runs along the bottom of the golf course. The path turns left to join the Canal de Charras. But if you continue straight ahead for 50 metres, going around the hedge, you will reach the Dolmen des Pierres closes.

(6) Turn right and follow the Canal de Charras. When you reach the railway line, turn right and you will come out onto the Route Impériale (level crossing on the left).

(7) Follow the road to the right on the grassy verge (take care, as there is quite a lot of traffic) and walk along the left-hand side of a golf course.
(8) At the crossroads in Saint-Pierre, continue straight ahead then turn left to reach the railway station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Saint-Laurent-Fouras railway station
  2. 1 : km 1.2 - alt. 9 m - Le Péré
  3. 2 : km 3.04 - alt. 7 m - La Perrière farm
  4. 3 : km 4.46 - alt. 2 m - Cabane de l'Est
  5. 4 : km 5.94 - alt. 8 m - La Barre
  6. 5 : km 6.94 - alt. 8 m - La Grande Houmée
  7. 6 : km 7.93 - alt. 3 m - Charras Canal - Devise (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 9 - alt. 4 m - Level crossing
  9. 8 : km 10.53 - alt. 7 m - Saint-Pierre
  10. S/E : km 11.17 - alt. 5 m - Saint-Laurent-Fouras railway station

Notes

In Saint Laurent-de-la-Prée: hotel, bar-restaurant, bakery, grocery store, post office, doctor, pharmacy. Picnic stop available at the Halle de la Bouillerie.

In Saint-Pierre: bar, grocery store, tobacconist and newsagent.

Worth a visit

The route runs alongside the Marais de Fouras, practically from the Cabane de L'Ouest to the Cabane de l'Est, with unobstructed views of the marsh as far as the Levée des Frênes. Many species of birds, blue irises in spring.

The two dolmens at Pierres Closes are burial sites dating back 5-6 thousand years. One has retained its upper table, while the other is more damaged.

Excavations were carried out in 2016 in anticipation of the extension of the golf course. Neolithic objects, salt collection pits, the foundations of a Gallo-Roman farm, a Roman tile kiln and medieval objects were unearthed. The excavations have been covered over, but the layout of the golf course has been modified accordingly.

The route runs alongside the Charras Canal opposite La Prée Douce near its mouth at the Charente, then the Route Impériale crosses the golf course overlooking Saint-Laurent, offering a sweeping view of La Prée Salée, which borders the Charente.

In Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée, there is an 11th-century church.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
isarouselle
isarouselle

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Luckily we had downloaded the GPX track. Don't rely on the green Lau'Rando markings, which only exist in the town. There are no markings on the paths.

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Deborando
Deborando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I left early to enjoy the mild weather, and the sky was quite cloudy, so it was very pleasant in that regard. I had a peaceful time.

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boulet03170
boulet03170

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Most of this route is on roads, including a section on a busy main road. It is a monotonous route with only one small point of interest, a stone enclosure....

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jcmonchy1955
jcmonchy1955

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very peaceful, interesting and beautiful walk.

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babethrando
babethrando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike despite a fairly long stretch of road at the end of the route.
There are few signposts along the way.
Please note: at point 6, Logis de la Grande Houmée, continue straight ahead because, as indicated in the description, the route has been changed.
Many thanks, Jean-Claude!

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TINO1779
TINO1779

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful hike, but the markings are sometimes non-existent... Fortunately, I rely more on GPS... Thanks to the GPX tracker.

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PruneetPraline
PruneetPraline

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike enjoyed by the hiking group (20 people): fairly varied route with small hills, which is rare around La Rochelle.
The route is paved but not very busy, except for the main road where the hard shoulders provide safety.
In summer, the route is fairly shaded, except for the marsh. You may see storks and other marsh animals.
In winter, the route is unlikely to be flooded, with a few exceptions. There is some "heavy" terrain near the megaliths, before reaching the Charras canal.
At marker 6, it is best to avoid turning right as the path disappears due to a lack of signposting and, in summer, cornfields block the possible passages. At the Grande Houmée lodge, continue straight downhill and follow the small canal (to the right of the canal). Pass by the megalith (dolmen). You can see the second megalith 200 metres away on the right. Turn left after the hedge to reach the Charras canal.

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mirabel54
mirabel54

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike, but nothing special apart from the natural surroundings. Best done in spring to be sure of seeing birds and admiring the flowers. The stones (dolmens) are interesting. The markings are sometimes difficult to see. There are a few errors in the route, but you can find your way with a smartphone.

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CHRISTIANBERARD
CHRISTIANBERARD

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Map and descriptions are very accurate
Just a small error when you reach point 6: there is actually no path, and you have to cross the fields to the left to reach the megaliths and then join the canal. I initially took the wrong path, which leads to the right of the golf course!
The walk is pleasant but not spectacular, the main drawback being the significant amount of walking on roads. However, the section through the marshes, with herds of cows and stork nests, is very charming.
THANK YOU!

Christian Bérard

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thezac
thezac

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Too much tarmac,
Poor signage towards the closed stones,
I was convinced I had found the right markings and arrived at the famous pond.
Finally, after two attempts, I passed by the closed stones without finding them.
The only really interesting part was the descent to the marsh, the marsh itself, and the exit from the marsh, having missed the closed stones and the Charras canal.

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jeanclaudem
jeanclaudem

There is indeed a tarmac road, but the imperial road is lined with wide grassy verges that are easily passable.
If you have come across a pond near Pierres Closes, you have strayed somewhat from the path, as it is not on the route.
We will therefore review the signage, especially as the route is likely to be modified during the next extension of the golf course, which has been delayed by the results of last year's archaeological excavations.
Thank you for your feedback and see you soon on our paths. Jean-Claude m

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bernard mallie
bernard mallie

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Many tarmac roads.
Lack of signposting when arriving at the pond near the enclosed stones.

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