Refine your search for walks in Le Thou
Le Thou walks
From Thou to Les Égaux de Chambon
Association / Club / Walk leader
6.51 mi
+33 ft
-33 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Le Thou (Charente-Maritime)
Short route in the Aunis plain between woods and farmland.
Frace Lake in Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis
6.81 mi
+46 ft
-46 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis (Charente-Maritime)
A beautiful walk along Frace Lake, which is popular for fishing and walking, and on through the little town of Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis, where you can visit the Ouchettes cheese dairy and goat farm.
Charras Canal - Côte de la Lance
5.99 mi
+69 ft
-72 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Ciré-d'Aunis (Charente-Maritime)
The Charras Canal, the Marais du Roy, the Cabane de Moins, walks with little elevation gain (average altitude = 3 m). Between Châtelaillon and Rochefort, a large marsh area provides an opportunity to observe numerous seabirds and migratory birds. A few hills dot the horizon, former islands from Roman times: Voutron, Liron, Flay, Île d'Albe...
Between Saint-Vivien and Thairé
Visorando Member
8.53 mi
+72 ft
-66 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Vivien (Charente-Maritime)
A 13 km circular route in Aunis, on the edge of the Yves Marsh. The route follows many hard-surfaced and very little-used farm tracks, with about a third of the route on dirt tracks.
This route can be covered on foot or by bicycle (with a proper mountain bike on the path along the canal surrounding the marsh).
Tour de Salles-sur-Mer
6.19 mi
+79 ft
-79 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Salles-sur-Mer (Charente-Maritime)
A short stroll through the Salles countryside.
A small market town near La Rochelle and Châtelaillon, Salles-sur-Mer has managed to retain its charm as a small village in the Aunis region.
Chassagné - Pommerou
6.98 mi
+52 ft
-52 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from La Jarne (Charente-Maritime)
Discover Pommerou, a charming little village, tucked away in the Aunis countryside, off the beaten track, yet well worth a visit. Here you can admire a few old Charente-style houses, tastefully restored.
From Baie d'Yves to Fort de Fouras via the coastal path
12.03 mi
+98 ft
-98 ft
5h 35
Moderate
Departure from Yves (Charente-Maritime)
Most of the route follows the coastal path between the Baie d'Yves nature reserve and the town of Fouras. You will pass numerous fishing pontoons along the way and can visit Fort Vauban at the mouth of the Charente. The landscape will look completely different depending on the tide.
Val de Gères from the Château de Surgères via Saint-Germain-de-Marencennes
8.16 mi
+49 ft
-75 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Surgères (Charente-Maritime)
A pleasant walk to discover Surgères and its historical heritage, between the Aunis plains and wooded areas, passing through Saint-Germain-de-Marencennes (in the commune of Saint-Pierre-la-Noue) and following the Val de Gères with its remarkable wildlife.
In the footsteps of Hélène de Fonsèque in Surgères
6.38 mi
+174 ft
-177 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Surgères (Charente-Maritime)
Circular route starting from Surgères Castle. After leaving the town, you ride through the countryside on the border between Aunis and Saintonge. The landscape changes with the seasons; the start of the ride takes you through fields of rapeseed, wheat and maize.In the final section, you follow the banks of the Gères and finish by re-entering the town through 1970s-era neighbourhoods, then past the ancient walls of old mansions, ending up along the castle ramparts.
Discovering La Jarne
6.13 mi
+62 ft
-62 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from La Jarne (Charente-Maritime)
Discover a small village near La Rochelle. The Aunis countryside on the city’s doorstep!
The Fouras Marsh and the Pierres Closes
6.94 mi
+43 ft
-43 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée (Charente-Maritime)
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.
Around the hamlet of Grandes Rivières
3.52 mi
+551 ft
-423 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Dompierre-sur-Mer (Charente-Maritime)
Walk around the hamlet of Grandes Rivières. This route is accessible in both summer and winter. Almost 90% of this route is in the countryside.
There are a few possible variations at point (4), where there are three parallel paths, and at point (8), where you can continue along the street and then turn right to cross the hamlet of Grandes Rivières. Then turn right at the end of the hamlet and take Rue Monplaisir back to the starting point.
Between Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée and Fouras along the Charente
10.55 mi
+26 ft
-26 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée (Charente-Maritime)
A circular starting from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée to reach the Charente and its numerous carrelets, then the ocean and the seaside resort of Fouras. The return journey is along the north coast.
The forts of the estuary
7.79 mi
+56 ft
-56 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée (Charente-Maritime)
One of the most beautiful walks on the Fouras peninsula: from the banks of the Charente to the Espérance beach in Fouras, it takes in the islands and forts that protected the Rochefort harbour.
From Pointe de la Parpagnole to Charras in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée
6.26 mi
+69 ft
-72 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée (Charente-Maritime)
The route follows the Charente River near its estuary to the mouth of the Charras Canal, opening up a view of a vast circular bend in the river.
Le Bois Madame and Soumard
6.00 mi
+26 ft
-26 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée (Charente-Maritime)
Starting from Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée, between woods and marshes, in the heart of the peninsula, with a beautiful view of the Anse de Fouras on the edge of the Bois Madame.
Le Morillon - Le Chêne Vert
6.29 mi
+49 ft
-49 ft
2h 55
Moderate
Departure from Périgny (Charente-Maritime) (Charente-Maritime)
Walk along the slopes of the valley floor that feeds the Moulinette stream via surface runoff.
Tour of Dompierre West
7.01 mi
+98 ft
-105 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Dompierre-sur-Mer (Charente-Maritime)
Discover the small hamlets of Dompierre-sur-Mer and the Marans Canal in La Rochelle.
The Tonnay-Charente suspension bridge and the Cèpe bridge
7.97 mi
+108 ft
-108 ft
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Tonnay-Charente (Charente-Maritime)
This loop, starting from Tonnay-Charente, will take you across the Charente river twice via two bridges that are completely closed to motor traffic.
You can admire the view from the top of the Tonnay-Charente suspension bridge and explore the quays of its sleepy port.
Rochefort and the banks of the Charente
6.22 mi
+26 ft
-26 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Rochefort (Charente-Maritime)
Do you enjoy nature and history? You'll love this walk!
Benon North Forest
5.64 mi
+98 ft
-98 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Benon (Charente-Maritime)
A walk best enjoyed in autumn for the colours, or in hot weather, in the shade of the oak trees.Moderator’s note added on 23/08/2021: Private property at the start of this route. See the comments at the bottom of this page for an alternative starting point
⚠️ 15 June 2026: description updated to indicate a start from the carpool area (1).
The Carrelets of Anse de Fouras
4.35 mi
+39 ft
-39 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Fouras (Charente-Maritime)
This walk will take you along the coastline of Anse de Fouras, with its variously designed and decorated carrelets (fishing huts). Enjoy the beautiful maritime atmosphere and heritage.
The Fountain and Fort Lupin
4.00 mi
+10 ft
-10 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Saint-Nazaire-sur-Charente (Charente-Maritime)
Many forts were built in the Charente estuary. They defended access to Rochefort, a military arsenal. Fort Lupin was one of them. As for the Fontaine Lupin, it allowed ships coming from Rochefort to take on water before setting sail. Tree trunks were placed in the Fosse aux Mâts to harden them before they were fitted to the ships.
