Talmont-sur-Gironde via the Caillaud cliffs, starting from Barzan

"Muddy waters"! With its muddy waters, the Gironde estuary is every bit as impressive as the Mississippi. On the edge of this austere expanse sits one of the most beautiful villages in France, Talmont-sur-Gironde.

Details

10760965
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 20 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 20 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 24 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Barzan (17120)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.528695° / W 0.883438°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1432SB, 1433OT, 1433SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Bordeaux, take the Route Verte, which runs close to the Gironde estuary, and stop just before the Barzan Plage exit.
On the left, on the river side, go around the restaurant "Le Balcon de l'Estuaire" and park in the large car park, which has space for cars and around ten motorhomes.

(S/E) Immediately take the raised path that follows the shore and head north-west to a place called Le Porteau du Haut.

(1) The path leaves the main road and follows a secondary road that climbs through vineyards. Just after the houses in the hamlet, the path leaves this road and joins the edge of the cliffs, running along the ridge at a reasonable distance. The edge of the cliffs is dangerous, as several signs remind you.

(2) Just before the bend, to the right of the track, at the end of the vineyards, take a small path that leads to the edge of the cliff and offers a view of the numerous carrelets (fishing huts). Then return to the track and turn left to join the road that crosses the hamlet of Le Caillaud. Take this road towards the village of Talmont for 50 metres until you reach a fork.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the road and cross the estey, which leads to the port via a lock.

(4) Take the right bank of the harbour and follow the street that runs alongside it, which turns into a path, passing in particular in front of the remains of the old ramparts and the White Tower, one of the elements of the fortifications.
After the path curves to the right, you will see the Church of Sainte-Radegonde.

(5) Go around it on the right, along the cemetery.
Then return to the village. This route, which passes through the main street, is only a suggestion: don't hesitate to explore this beautiful village in all directions, not forgetting the town hall and its lime tree, which is over a hundred years old.

(4) After visiting the village, head back in the opposite direction to the first houses of the hamlet of Caillaud.

(3) Take the second street on the left (Rue de la Fond), after the Restaurant l'Estuaire.
Note: This street should really be called "Rue de la Font" because its name refers to the fountain located there.
Soon, you will see the Château de la Fond on your left, followed by an old fountain equipped with a large hand-cranked wheel.
Continue along this street until you reach the road.

(6) Cross the Route Verte and take the small road opposite, which initially follows the main road before turning left and crossing the hamlet of Porteau du Bas.
Here, you can take a path on the left that leads to the Gallo-Roman site of Le Fâ.

(7) Stay on the road, which soon joins the Route Verte at an intersection with the Route Romaine, which provides access by car to the Gallo-Roman site.
Opposite, take the small road to the hamlet of Porteau du Haut to return to the first intersection on the way there.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps to return to the Barzan Plage car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - Car and motorhome parking
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 9 m - Le Porteau du Haut. Crossroads 1st loop
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 13 m - Detour to see the carrelets - Estuaire de la Gironde
  4. 3 : km 2.36 - alt. 5 m - Common fork in the road (return trip)
  5. 4 : km 2.77 - alt. 4 m - Port of Talmont. Crossroads 2nd loop
  6. 5 : km 3.26 - alt. 3 m - Sainte-Radegonde Church
  7. 6 : km 4.67 - alt. 3 m - Crossing the departmental road
  8. 7 : km 4.92 - alt. 3 m - Le Porteau du Bas
  9. S/E : km 5.93 - alt. 4 m - Car and motorhome parking

Notes

Zero difficulty. This is a walk that can be described as family-friendly.
Wear trainers and keep your hands in your pockets.

Worth a visit

It's always nice to visit Talmont, but rather than going by car, what could be better than approaching it via this pretty path along the cliffs?

The hike can be extended from the point (7) to the Gallo-Roman site of Le Fâ, returning to Barzan Plage via Chant Dorat. However, it is more consistent without this extension, which should rather be the subject of a separate outing. All the information can be found on the dedicated website fa-barzan.com.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
gpoth92
gpoth92

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike

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Closophie
Closophie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful site, the village of Talmont is very pretty.

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kartavan
kartavan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy circuit accessible to all, allowing you to discover the beautiful village of Talmont-sur-Gironde under glorious sunshine

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papou26200
papou26200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk offering stunning views of the estuary, its cliffs and its carrelets (fishing huts). Although we did it at the end of the day, the ever-present sun makes wearing a cap or hat advisable, as the approach to Talmont is quite exposed. A pretty little village where it's pleasant to stroll through the narrow streets. Thank you for this walk.

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stjo
stjo

I promise: next time I'm there, I'll extend my visit to include the Gallo-Roman site of Le Fâ.

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Coco16
Coco16

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I recommend this tour! We didn't know Talmont, so it gave us a great opportunity to explore this little village. What's more, the tour is accessible and not too long – perfect!

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stjo
stjo

Please note, @An2mZ1, it is not on the edge of the ocean, but on the edge of the immense Gironde estuary, which gives this region its unique character.

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An2mZ1
An2mZ1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk along the ocean, not difficult at all, and not crowded at this time of year despite the beautiful weather. Talmont is a pretty little village with lots of character. The short walk to Sainte Radegonde Church offers beautiful views of the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The cemetery surrounding the church, overgrown with hollyhocks and valerian, is beautiful to see. Very pleasant, worth repeating.

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CASA 17570
CASA 17570

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to report

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Domino58
Domino58
• Edited:

A very beautiful route along the cliffs around Talmont: the approach to the village at sunset is exceptionally beautiful, with the carrelets (traditional fishing huts) in the background

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Jeanne87
Jeanne87

A lovely walk with a tasty pancake halfway through to recharge the children's batteries! Very easy route to follow

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Domino58
Domino58

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy, very pleasant walk along the cliffs overlooking Talmont

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Rescoussié
Rescoussié

Walk taken with a visit to Talmon

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stjo
stjo

@Cantate (after rereading your comment), you surprise me: I reread my description and I don't see any mention of markers, yellow or otherwise. It seems to me that it is very easy to follow this simple route based on the description and the map, and moreover, it seems very difficult to get lost. Not everything in life can be marked out.

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Epsilon17
Epsilon17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views of the Gironde estuary from the cliff and Talmont below.

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