Tour of Île Besnard via the coastal path

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This short route offers superb views of Le Havre de Rothéneuf, the islands and Chevrets Beach.

Details

n°295622
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 31 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 31 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 39 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 8 m
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Photos

Chevrets Beach
View of the Chevrets Islands

Description of the walk

Île Besnard car park, a tombolo between Île Besnard and Chevrets Beach. The route follows the customs officers' path between the rocky headlands.

(S/E) Turn left (south-west) onto the small track that leads to an isolated house.

(1) Leave the road and take the customs officers' path, go down the steps between the tree roots on the property and continue.

(2) Climb back up to the heights for views to the west and south-west over the natural harbour of Le Havre de Rotheneuf. Continue along the customs officers' path. Note the view below and over the Îles du Petit and Îles du Grand Chevret to the north-east. View over the immense Plage des Chevrets. Descend towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Chevrets car park
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 22 m - Descent via a staircase through the roots.
  3. 2 : km 0.76 - alt. 25 m - View of Le Havre de Rothéneuf
  4. S/E : km 1.55 - alt. 8 m - Chevrets car park

Notes

Nice bar at the top of the dunes at Chevrets Beach.
Wear sturdy shoes, as the path is rocky.

Worth a visit

Havre de Rothéneuf and its sailing school.
Havre Beach and its unique low-tide fishing during spring tides.
Chevrets Beach
Notre-Dame des Flots Chapel nearby.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
pierrebzh
pierrebzh

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice little walk with magnificent views.

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jmimi64
jmimi64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, well explained

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route completed twice from the Chevrets campsite.
The first time, in foggy conditions with poor visibility, and repeated in sunny weather.
Very beautiful views of the Rothéneuf harbour and Chevret Beach with its two islets.

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Rix_022
Rix_022

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stunning landscapes

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jeangaut
jeangaut

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, not very busy (during the week!)

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yvonnette
yvonnette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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mi49
mi49

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice and easy hike

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grandin
grandin ★

Perhaps we could add it as a "variant" in "Practical information"?

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pipabrin
pipabrin

Yes, that's a good idea.

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Grandours
Grandours

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We took this short walk in bright sunshine and at high tide. Excellent.

Possible improvement: start the walk from the La Guimorais car park, which allows you to add a walk "between two seas" on the strip of land that connects the island to the mainland. (2 km round trip).

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