Hunting lock loop from Saujon

00:37

2.40km

10m

Hiking

Easy hike. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

996 m

Hunting lock

Highlight • Other

The flushing lock is located at the head of the port, between the north bank's embankment and the south bank's quay. A retention basin, occupying the non-navigable Seudre riverbed as far as Saujon, follows the flushing lock. Within the retention basin, rubble stone embankments extend the lock's return walls for a few meters. The lock itself forms a bridge carrying a road.

The lock bridge consists of two piers, forming three arches, each housing two gates. On the upstream side of the lock, the piers have semicircular cutwaters. The three bands are stacked and terminate in clamps.
The lock ends with a cornice resting on modillions. The cornice follows the shape of the cutwaters. A metal balustrade, also semicircular in shape, is fixed to the top of the lock. This balustrade is framed by two stone moldings.

The sluice gate and its upstream and downstream return walls are constructed of dressed stone. The masonry is of medium and regular quality, except for the coping of the return walls, which features large and regular masonry.
The upstream north return wall is lower than the one on the south bank. A small parapet of recently constructed white rubble masonry surmounts it.
The sluice gate is equipped with metal gates, the modern racks of which are visible.
The first sluice gate was built around 1825 on the site of a former tidal mill. During the works carried out between 1839 and 1842, the sluice gate's embankment was modified to allow the passage of vehicles. Between 1847 and 1853, the lock was enlarged to allow for larger flushes, and the reservoir was excavated. Return walls were also built to connect the flushing lock to the riprap. It was then restored in 1865 and completely rebuilt between 1868 and 1869.
The lock is 10.50 m wide, and its gates are each 1.50 m wide. The reservoir is 700 m long and has an average width of 30 m.

Translated by Google •

Tip by