Easy hikes and walks in Forêt Des Combots D'Ansoine

The Grande Côte beach is one of the most beautiful sites in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, especially at sunset. Lined with dunes and forest, it offers a vast panorama of the Atlantic Ocean as well as a breathtaking view of the Coubre lighthouse and, on clear days, of the island of Oléron. Easily accessible by bike or mountain bike, it is an ideal place to take a break, admire the landscape, enjoy the sea air and capture this exceptional setting.

Located on the commune of St-Palais-sur-Mer, at the tip of Terre-Nègre, it is intended to mark the southern passage of the Gironde estuary and to signal the presence of a dangerous sandbank, the la barre à l'Anglais.

🏰 Interior visit Entering Cordouan means discovering a unique place, halfway between a royal monument and a maritime structure. Here are the main stages of the visit 👇 🚪 1. The base and the guardroom As soon as you enter (accessible at low tide), you step into a massive stone base - Very thick walls to withstand storms - Old technical and storage rooms - Austere atmosphere, typical of a defensive structure at sea ⛪ 2. The royal chapel This is the symbolic heart of the lighthouse, absolutely remarkable. - Dedicated to Notre-Dame de Cordouan - Decorated with marble, sculptures, and elegant vaults - Designed to resemble a palace chapel 👉 This is what gives the lighthouse its nickname "Versailles of the sea". 👑 3. The king's apartments Above the chapel are rooms intended to accommodate the king (even though he never came). - Vaulted and decorated rooms - Fireplaces and period elements - Later used by the lighthouse keepers 🌀 4. The monumental staircase - Approximately 300 steps - Spiral stone staircase - Natural light through narrow openings 👉 The climb is gradual, with several landings allowing you to discover the successive levels. 💡 5. The lantern room You then arrive at the technical part of the lighthouse: - Modern lighting system - Old Fresnel lens (major historical element) - Mechanisms that have evolved over the centuries 🌊 6. The exterior balcony At the top: - Spectacular 360° view of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean - Unique sensation of being isolated in the open sea 🧭 What makes the visit unique - Rare blend of royal luxury and maritime engineering - Monument still in operation - Access dependent on tides and weather - Feeling of total isolation, especially at high tide 💡 Tip: The visit usually includes a boat trip from Royan or Le Verdon. You should bring suitable shoes (damp and sometimes slippery ground).

🏰 Historic The Cordouan lighthouse, located at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, is one of France's most remarkable maritime monuments. Nicknamed "the king of lighthouses" or "the Versailles of the sea," it has a unique history of over 400 years. ⚓ Origins (14th – 16th century) As early as the 14th century, a first rudimentary fire tower existed on the Cordouan plateau to signal dangers to sailors. The estuary was then very dangerous, with numerous shipwrecks, which threatened trade towards Bordeaux. 👑 Construction of the royal lighthouse (1584 – 1611) The current construction began in 1584 under the reign of Henry III, then continued under Henry IV. Architect Louis de Foix designed an exceptional building: * both a lighthouse and a royal prestige monument * richly decorated (chapel, sculptures, apartments) It was completed and lit in 1611. 👉 At that time, it was considered an architectural marvel, sometimes compared to the lighthouse of Alexandria. 🔬 Evolutions and modernization (18th – 19th century) Between 1788 and 1790, engineer Joseph Teulère raised the lighthouse by about 20 meters to improve its visibility. In 1823, the Fresnel lens was installed, a major innovation that revolutionized lighthouse lighting worldwide. 🏛️ Heritage recognition Classified as a historic monument as early as 1862, among the very first in France. Still in operation, it is the oldest French lighthouse still in service. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021, as a masterpiece of maritime architecture. ⚙️ Contemporary era The lighthouse was automated in 2006, but remains maintained and monitored by teams. It is now visited in season and is a major tourist site on the Charente and Gironde coast.

🏖️ Origin and evolution The Concié beach is the smallest of the “conches” (coves) of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, located at the northern end of the resort, just before Grande Côte. 🌿 An ancient natural site Originally, it was not a developed beach but a small natural cove, formed by the erosion of limestone cliffs. It is bordered by rocky ledges, with a small sandbank that appears depending on the tides. For a long time, this area remained isolated and little frequented, unlike the central beaches. 🏡 Local historical context Saint-Palais-sur-Mer was originally a fishing village. The commune became a seaside resort at the end of the 19th century with the fashion for sea bathing. 👉 The main beaches developed, but Concié retained a wild and discreet character. 🎣 The carrelets: symbol of the coast ⚓ Origin The carrelets are small fishing huts on stilts, equipped with a square net (the “carrelet”). This fishing technique is traditional on the Gironde estuary and the Charente coast. It allowed local fishermen to catch fish and shrimp without a boat. 📍 Why at Concié? From Concié beach, the first significant alignments of carrelets can be observed. The site is particularly favorable: - sea currents - rocky terrain - elevated access from the ledge 👉 This is where this typical landscape begins, sometimes called the “carrelets promenade”. 🌊 Evolution of the site 20th century Development of tourism on the coast, but Concié remained: - sparsely urbanized - unsupervised - appreciated for its tranquility Today It is still a secluded beach that is sought after for: - shore fishing - photographing the carrelets - walks on the customs path It forms a landscape transition point from the rocky coves to the large dune beaches of Grande Côte.

The carrelets of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer are among the most emblematic elements of the Charente coastline. Their history blends traditional fishing, tourist development, and local heritage. 🐟 Origin of the carrelets Originally, the word "carrelet" referred to a square fishing net used since the 17th century. A precise description can be found as early as 1769, in the writings of the scholar Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau, who mentioned this type of fishing on the Saintonge coast. 👉 At that time, these were not yet the current huts, but simply a net operated from rudimentary structures. ⚓ Artisanal fishing structures The first local carrelets were simple wooden platforms, built by the fishermen themselves to stand above the water. They were mainly used to catch shrimp, fish, and crabs near the shore, without going out to sea. 👉 It was a family and coastal fishery, less dangerous than sea fishing. 🏖️ 19th – early 20th century: transition to a leisure activity At the turn of the 20th century, with the rise of seaside resorts like Saint-Palais, the carrelets evolved. Holidaymakers and notable figures adopted this practice: construction of fixed jetties, appearance of huts on stilts. The carrelets then became places for relaxation as much as for fishing. 👉 They already contributed to the postcard image of the coast. 🪵 After 1945: democratization and multiplication After the Second World War, the number of carrelets increased sharply. They became a symbol of popular leisure and conviviality. The transition was gradually made from a means of subsistence to a recreational activity. 🌊 Storms and reconstruction The carrelets are fragile in the face of storms: 1999: massive destruction (up to 90% in some areas) 2010 (Xynthia storm): new damage Many have been rebuilt identically, respecting tradition. 🏛️ Today: protected heritage In Charente-Maritime, there are about 400 carrelets. They are: integrated into the public maritime domain allocated by administrative authorization (often renewed every 5 years) Since 2018, they have been recognized as cultural heritage of the department. 👉 In Saint-Palais, they can be observed in particular: at Pont du Diable at the conche du Concié at the Puits de l’Auture

The puits de l’Auture is an emblematic natural site located in Puits de l’Auture, north of the commune of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. Its name often intrigues, and its history blends geology, local traditions, and maritime observation. 🌊 Origin and formation The puits de l’Auture is not a man-made well, but a natural formation: It is a cavity carved into the limestone rock by marine erosion. Under the effect of waves and infiltrations, the rock gradually collapsed, forming a sort of vertical chasm open to the sea. During strong swells or tides, water rushes in violently, creating spectacular eddies. 📜 Origin of the name The term “Auture” probably comes from Old French or the local dialect: It could derive from “hauteur” (height) or “autre” (other), evoking a high or separate place. Another hypothesis suggests a deformation of an old word related to a natural cavity or opening. No completely certain origin has been formally established, which adds to the mystery of the place. ⚓ Local historical role The site has had several uses or functions over time: 👀 Observation point Located on the rocky cornice, it served as a natural observation post to monitor the sea. Locals and fishermen could spot boats, storms, or dangers. 🎣 Fishing activities As elsewhere on the coast of Royan, particularly near the famous carrelets (fishing huts on stilts), the area was frequented by fishermen. The rocks around the well allowed for shore fishing or line fishing. 🌿 A remarkable natural site Today, the puits de l’Auture is mainly: A popular walking spot along the coastal path. A listed site for its landscape and geological interest. A remarkable viewpoint over the Atlantic Ocean, especially at sunset. ⚠️ Caution The site remains fragile and potentially dangerous: Unstable cliffs Powerful waves during storms It is advisable to stay on the marked trails.

Here you'll find a romantic little lighthouse, and behind it lies a garden with a bench overlooking the sea, a lovely place to stop for a break. Afterwards, you can continue along the cliff to the right until you reach Euro Velo 1 again.