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The Forest of La Coubre, on Foot, Cycling, Riding, by Car We are very proud of the forest of La
Coubre which is one of the jewels of the Pays Royannais and
Charente-Maritime.
It covers more than 5 000 hectares bordering the coast along the
peninsula of Arvert. It's an easy forest to reach, set against a relief of dunes,
airy, clear and penetrated by shafts of sunlight.
It is pleasant to explore the forest at any time of the year,
either walking, cycling, riding or by car. You may be lucky enough to see two roe deers crossing a path,
which was the case during our walk in May, 2002 when most of the
photos on this page were taken, a time when the gorse and broom
added colour to the forest.
The forest was actually built by man
Although it looks so
natural today, the forest was actually built by
man. The maritime pines were planted in the19th
Century to prevent the encroachment of the sand.
The reinforcement work
on the dunes and the establishment of the forest
are on-going works and are part of a steady policy
to fight against the wind and marine erosion.
To find out more about the current conservation
programmes, you can visit the page dedicated to
the forest of La Coubre on the excellent site of
the National Office of Forests.
site web
Although the forest forms a major part of the
touristic landscape, it is also an important
economic asset producing a large amount of timber.
To return to the storm of December, 1999, the
National Office of Forests stated that the
equivalent of ten years yield of timber was
brought down during that storm.
The collection of the
pine resin
50 years ago, an activity existed which employed a
large work force but which disappeared in the
1960's.
It was the gemmage, the collection of the
pine resin.
Some people will remember the small jars fixed to
the trunks of the pines to collect the resin.
Regarding the roads and parking areas, the
National Office of Forests has achieved some
remarkable work in restoring roads and paths made
unusable by the storm of December, 1999.
To answer an increasing demand, new routes are
regularly looked for and put into service.
The forest is gradually being restored to its
previous state but nevertheless, there are still
vast areas where the trees have been felled and
piles of timber awaiting removal.
Please note that
on Thursdays, which are set aside for hunting,
there are restrictions to certain areas and routes
in the forest.
On foot...
It is possible to walk in the forest quite freely.
There are no rules for pedestrians.
However, by
following the pedestrian paths, which are clearly
marked, it is easier to find the route and general
direction.
The National Office of Forests organises conducted
tours every morning during the season, except
Sundays and holidays.
Meet at 10 am in the parking area of La Bouverie
(road 44), along the Côte Sauvage.
For further information, please telephone
beforehand :
Tel. 05 46 90 65 53.
It's an excellent way to discover the riches of
the forest of La Coubre and the work of the
foresters.
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For serious walkers, the long-distance footpath
GR4, which goes from Royan to Ronce-les-Bains and
the island of Oléron, crosses the forest of La
Coubre, from Les Mathes to Ronce-les-Bains.To find out more about the paths for hiking and
long walks ( GR) and for short walks (PR) in the
Charente-Maritime, visit.
web site
Cycling...
A cycle track goes through the forest for about twenty
kilometres from La Palmyre to Ronce-les-Bains. This
track is the continuation of the one which connects
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer to La Palmyre through La Grande
Côte.
Cyclists have a magnificent cycle track, both along the
coast and through the forest, 30 kilometres long, that
is 60 kilometres in total, going there and back, from
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer to Ronce-les-Bains.
From La Palmyre and the lighthouse of La Coubre, the
track follows the bay of Bonne Anse. From there it
continues along to the beaches of the Côte Sauvage, and
in particular the Pointe Espagnole, where one discovers
the Pertuis de Maumusson, which separates the peninsula
of Arvert and the island of Oléron, and the dunes of
Saint-Trojan.
Cyclists on mountain bikes also have specific routes
marked out in the forest.
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Riding...
Bridle paths through the forest are at the disposal of
the equestrian clubs of the region.
For more than 30 years, the centre of equitation Le
Corral has helped tourists discover the Forest of La
Coubre and the Côte Sauvage by guiding them along the
bridle paths provided by the National Office of Forests.
To find out more about routes generally, equestrian
organisations, equestrian gîtes and all the associated
services, you can visit the site of the local Committee
of Equitation
web site
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by car...
We suggest you take the D25, the main road between
Palmyre and Ronce-les-Bains, approximately 20 kilometres.
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Ads by
Bernezac
La Palmyre |
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Bonne Anse Chalets
Extensive hire fleet in 35 acres of
pine
forest,
4-star facilities, direct
access
to the
beach. |
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Palmyre Loisirs
Campsite, 4 stars. Universe of
sports and games, in a sunny pine forest. |
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Palmyre
Loisirs |
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Parc Club Les Charmettes
Everything on this Haven-owned park
has been prepared to make your holiday as enjoyable and as
relaxing as possible. |
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Camping Beausoleil
Ideally situated
at La Palmyre,
in the heart of the pine forest, 400 meters away from the beach
of Bonne Anse |
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Palmyr Oceana
Campsite between the beaches of La Palmyre and La Grande Côte, and the
town centre of La Palmyre. |
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Camping Les Vignes
Close to Royan
and La Palmyre,
in a quiet area, 10 minutes away
through woods from the beach of La Grande Côte.
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Eldapi Vacances
Quiet and family campsite at Saint-Augustin-sur-Mer, between
Saint-Palais and La Palmyre. |
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Activ' Loisirs Les Pins
Family campsite in Ronce les Bains, pine
forest, three heated indoor pools
from April to October. |
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Ads by
Bernezac |
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Airotel Oléron
Campsite at
Le Chateau d'Oleron, the choice of beach and water sports,
family activities and the tranquillity of a wooded park. |
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Holiday
village "La Forêt"
Montendre-les-Pins, in a pine forest,
close to the vineyards and the coast |
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Camping Les Pins
Campsite at
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, in a charming area. |
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Bonne Anse Chalets
Extensive hire fleet in 35 acres of
pine
forest,
4-star facilities, direct
access
to the
beach. |
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Palmyre Loisirs
Campsite, 4 stars. Universe of
sports and games, in a sunny pine forest. |
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Palmyre
Loisirs |
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Parc Club Les Charmettes
Everything on this Haven-owned park
has been prepared to make your holiday as enjoyable and as
relaxing as possible. |
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Ma Maison de Mer
Guest House, B&B,
situated in a fantastic location, 150m from the beach and 200m
from the town center. Open all year |
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Hotel Residence de Rohan
Charming house,
3 kms away from Royan in a unique environment.
By the sea,
direct access to
the beach
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Eldapi Vacances
Quiet and family campsite at Saint-Augustin-sur-Mer, between
Saint-Palais and La Palmyre. |
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Mer & Soleil d'Oléron
Four stars holiday
village club with mobile homes. A stone’s throw away from one of the finest
beaches on the Ile d'Oléron |
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Camping Les Vignes
Close to Royan
and La Palmyre,
in a quiet area, 10 minutes away
through woods from the beach of La Grande Côte.
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Activ' Loisirs Les Pins
Family campsite in Ronce les Bains, pine
forest, three heated indoor pools
from April to October. |
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Camping
L'Abri-Côtier
In
Saint-Nazaire-sur-Charente, close to Port-des-Barques and
Madam island, Rochefort, La Rochelle, island of
Oleron.
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Yukadi Village Le Logis
Le Logis,
under the warm Charente sun, 600 metres from the
sea and 10 km from Royan, much of it
situated in a pine forest |
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Sea Kayaking
Accompanied by a professional guide, sail
around the islands, around the famous Fort Boyard.
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