Sainte-Gemme walks

Near the coast and the Brouage Marsh, a circular route runs along the Massonnerie Nature Reserve and around the large ponds of the Cadeuil sandpit.

When the Broue tower was built, it was reflected in the waters of the Gulf of Santons. The sea is now so far away that it can no longer be seen from the tower's terrace. But from the heights of Saint-Jean-d'Angle, you can still imagine the boats that once sailed here and brought wealth to the port and the village.

This route allows you to discover Sablonceaux Abbey in the middle of the fields from several angles. The route passes through woods, fields, vineyards and horse farms, giving you an insight into the diversity of agricultural activities around Sablonceaux.

Circular discovery of the town centre and the surrounding countryside. Walk along the banks of the gentle Seudre river This route is suitable for cycling (mountain bikes, hybrid bikes) in accordance with the Highway Code.

Stroll through the town centre of Saujon and the peri-urban marshes of the Seudre. Discover the local flora and fauna, combining hiking with curiosity. This route is accessible by bicycle, mountain bike or hybrid bike, provided you follow the rules of the road.

Circular route around the Lande starting from the port of Ribérou.

Circular through the former salt marshes of Saint-Just-Luzac

A circular starting from Trizay Abbey towards the cave and the Creux Nègre rock passage. This geological curiosity in the region is carved into the ancient cliffs that line the Arnoult valley. Half of the route is on tarmac, on very quiet roads, allowing you to discover the market gardens on the rich lands of the Arnoult valley (home of the Pont l'Abbé bean).

Discover a typical oyster-farming village on a trail lined with numerous information panels, allowing you to stroll through the village, then walk alongside the many colourful oyster farmers' huts to finally reach the Seudre.

A delightful, easy walk to discover the marshes surrounding the picturesque village of Mornac-sur-Seudre.

A circular route around the pretty, peaceful little village of Geay. The route takes you along well-maintained paths through forests and wooded countryside. You will also ride alongside the marsh. The Charente is not far away but remains invisible. The route has been surveyed on the ground, making it very reliable.

Starting from Échillais, you can first admire the beautiful 12th-century façade of the church. Then you will pass in front of "La Limoise". This residence is described at length by Pierre Loti in "Le Roman d'un Enfant" (A Child's Novel). This house belonged to the Duplais family, friends of the Viaud family (Julien Viaud being Pierre Loti's real name). He would spend his Thursdays there, walking from his house in Rochefort (now Pierre Loti's house) to La Limoise, crossing the Charente by ferry. There was no transporter bridge at the time. The Seudre Canal to the Charente (also known as the Bridoire Canal) is 27 km long and was dug in the 19th century from Saint-Hippolyte to Marennes. You will also cross Île Maurice, although it is much smaller than the one we usually think of.

The old quarries of Crazannes offer a striking landscape of steep rock faces and narrow gorges. The hard white stone was used in the construction or restoration of monuments such as Fort Boyard.Les Lapidiales is a site offering visitors an open-air museum, with free admission, where the excavations left by the quarrymen give the impression of being in the middle of a giant labyrinth and where visitors enjoy discovering the sculptures.

From the transporter bridge to the port of Rochefort, a journey back in time. Rochefort was chosen by Louis XIV to re-establish his maritime power. On this route, which runs close to the water in its first section, there is no shortage of reminders of this era: dry docks, the Corderie Royale rope factory, the arsenal and, with a bit of luck, the Hermione...

A circular starting from the citadel of Brouage takes you through the marsh to Hiers.If you are quiet enough along the route, you will be able to see herons, egrets, nutria and, in summer, storks up close.Most of the route follows tarmaced marsh roads that are very quiet.

Set off to explore Brouage!

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

This hike offers the opportunity to discover the woods of Port d'Envaux, as well as the Roman church of Saint-Saturnin de Séchaud. In a mineral, green and wooded setting, you will discover a typical natural heritage that is timeless.

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.

Do you enjoy nature and history? You'll love this walk!

The Vallières and Suzac headlands mark the ends of the long beach at Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. First skirting the former, you pass by the lighthouse that makes the place so photogenic. Then, after a long walk from one end of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne beach to the other, you reach Suzac Point, which is much wilder. The destination of the walk is Suzac beach, a little gem nestled between two points.

A short walk in the heart of a protected natural environment, where you can encounter many species of birds and enjoy a guaranteed change of scenery.

A short walk for birdwatchers and other nature lovers.

The first part of the circular path is in the Forêt des Combots d'Ansoine, followed by a walk along the beach and then along a coastal path dotted with numerous fishing huts and passing by the Puits de l'Auture, a natural curiosity worth discovering.

A very pleasant walk with magnificent scenery. You will pass along fine sandy beaches, close to magnificent fishing huts and sumptuous limestone cliffs in which real troglodyte cities have been carved out (Regulus and Matata caves). A visit to the seaside resort of Meschers will precede your return through the Suzac forest.⚠️ 16/04/2025: Route modified on the hike sheet due to passage through private property.

A walk beneath the holm oaks of the coastal path, high on the cliffs overlooking the mouth of the Gironde estuary, through the Suzac Forest and past the beaches of Meschers-sur-Gironde or Saint-Georges-de-Didonne. Along the way, the remains of the Atlantic Wall; offshore, the famous Cordouan lighthouse, the ‘Versailles of the sea’, and to the right as you look towards the estuary, views of Royan and Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.

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.

A round trip walk from the carrelets of Port-les-Barques to those of Île Madame. Please note: only possible at low tide.

A pleasant walk passing by the Passe aux boeufs causeway, then around an island steeped in history. Numerous and varied views of the surrounding islands and coastline.