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The River Seudre and the Oysters
A one day tour enables one to
have a first impression of the basin and to track down some good places
to come back to for a pleasurable and more leisurely stroll or for lunch
or dinner on another occasion.
From Royan to Mornac
From Royan, take the D733 in the direction of Rochefort, up to
Saint-Sulpice-de-Royan.
By the roundabout, pass on the right-hand
side the Cave des Vignerons de la Seudre, continue in the direction of
Rochefort for about 1 km and at Fontbedeau, turn left on to the D140 in
the direction of Mornac.
The village of Mornac deserves a special visit to be explored at another
time.
From Mornac to La Tremblade
From the small harbour of Mornac, follow the small road which runs
along the Seudre up to the harbours of Chaillevette and Chatressac port.
These two harbours, away from the main tourist centres, are typical
of the activity of the basin.
Continue towards Etaules along the river
Seudre through the village of Les Grandes Roches.
In Etaules, one can
make a short trip to La Grève-à-Duret and back by the D141 before
taking the D14 in the direction of Arvert and La Tremblade.
La Tremblade, the port of La
Grève
In La Tremblade,
follow the road on the left to arrive at the harbour of La Grève.
Take
time to walk along the canal up to the Seudre where the view extends
from left to right, on the river Seudre, Marennes on the opposite bank,
the bridge of the river Seudre and the bridge of the island of Oléron.
The coloured cabins lining the canal are floodlit in the evening.
Do not
miss this spectacle, perhaps after having tasted oysters and mussels in
one of the restaurants situated opposite to the cabins.
The bridge on the River Seudre
After La Tremblade, cross the bridge on the river Seudre which allows a
quick return to Marennes, whilst, at the same time, enjoying a beautiful
view, very different depending on whether it is high or low tide.
Before crossing the bridge, one can make a break at
Ronce-les-Bains, resort of La Tremblade.
Marennes and the Port of
La Cayenne
Marennes, a little away from the right bank of the estuary of Seudre,
has two important oyster centres, La Cayenne on the Seudre and
Bourcefranc near the pointe du Chapus.
Both deserve a visit. From the centre of Marennes, the direction of La
Cayenne is well indicated.
The small road with the canal on one side and
the ‘claires’ oyster beds on the other one, leads to the harbour of
La Cayenne.
A stop at the restaurant Le Cayenne and a visit to its small
museum dedicated to oysters is strongly advised.
Bourcefranc and Le Chapus
In
Bourcefranc, there is a strong concentration of the flat boats of the
oyster producers moving in the harbour. The main impression it gives is
that of a large-scale ostréiculture business. From the Pointe du Chapus, near the ancient jetty for the ferry which
goes to the island of Oléron, one has a beautiful view of the Louvois
fortress, the bridge and island of Oléron.
Drive back to Royan by the D728, on the right bank of Seudre, and the
D733. |
