Bernezac.com - France, Atlantic Coast, La Rochelle, Royan, Gironde - Tourism and Holiday Guide
Geographic Landmarks
start printing by using the commands of your web navigator

return to main page

A unique position on the Atlantic coast of continental Europe

The region which extends from the South of the Vendee to the estuary of the Gironde, occupies a unique position on the Atlantic coast of continental Europe, between the 45th and 46th parallels.

This situation ensures a mild and sunny climate.

The period of sunshine (2600 hours a year) is comparable to that of the Côte d’azur.

To help organise your walks, it will be helpful to refer to some easily recognisable landmarks on maps which are widely illustrated in the tourist brochures.

Rivers and estuaries

The river Charente flows through the towns of Jarnac, Cognac, Saintes, Rochefort and comes out into the sea level with the island of Oléron, with Port-des-Barques and the Madam island on the left bank and Fouras and the peninsula of La fumée on the right bank.

 The impressive viaduct of the Charente, downstream from Rochefort, put into service in 1991, appreciably reduces the driving time between Royan and La Rochelle.

The river Seudre, a small coastal river with its source in the South of Charente-Maritime, flows through Saujon before forming an estuary which constitutes the main artery of Marennes-Oléron's oyster area. From the river Seudre, channels flow which feed ponds called "claires" with sea water.

Looking from the bridge of the river Seudre which connects Marennes to La Tremblade, there are beautiful views to be seen, each very different, depending upon the tide, of oysterbeds and the "claires" ponds where oysters mature.

Islands and peninsulas

The Ré island, off La Rochelle. The bridge - viaduct is very easily accessible from the north by-pass road after La Pallice. This very beautiful curved bridge, about three kilometres long, is a magnificent entrance to the island.

The island of Aix, famous because of Napoleon's sojourn, is accessible from the pier of the Pointe de la Fumée.

The peninsula of Fouras, situated on the right-hand side of the mouth of the river Charente. From the pointe de la Fumée, you have a clear view of Fouras, the Madam island, the island of Oléron, the Boyard fortress, the island of Aix, the island of Ré and the coast of La Rochelle and La Pallice.

The Madam island, on the West of Port-des-Barques and on the left bank of the mouth of the river Charente,is linked to the shore by a road named ‘la Passe-aux-Bœufs’, which can only be used at low tide.

The island of Oléron, linked to the continent by a bridge - viaduct with free access, built in 1966. It looks like the continuation of the peninsula of Arvert and is the largest island of the region with a length of around thirty kilometres, from Saint-Trojan-les-Bains to the Chassiron lighthouse.

The peninsula of Arvert, south of the island of Oléron, has a boundary which stretches from the coast from Royan to the Pointe de la Coubre, the Côte Sauvage up to the Pointe Espagnole and the estuary of the river Seudre.

The coastline has large sandy beaches exposed to the waves with rocky shores but there are also well sheltered beaches called ‘conches’.

The national forest of la Coubre extends from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer to Ronce-les-bains, on both sides of the D25 road. Walking routes are offered by the national Forests Office.

Notes