Tour of the Seudre estuary 108 km

Tour for the bicycle (both racing and tour bike) around the Seudre estuary and on the Arvert peninsula. The tour starts at the parking lot at the end of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer where you can access the beach of la Grande Côte, and where there are several bars and restaurants. From here you cross the forest to St. Augustin. The trip continues to the Seudre estuary near Étaules. From here you cycle around and close to the Seudre estuary, which is a tidal river surrounded by numerous oyster parks and 'claires'. The swamps here are full with birds, creeks, small harbors, and colorful panoramas with oyster farms, water and salt-abiding plants. Every several kilometers you can find oysters and/or mussels for sale. You pass through among others the picturesque village/harbor of Mornat-sur-Seudre with a lot of art studios and restaurants, and the town of Marennes. At three points (see waypoints) you cycle a dead-end road into the estuary to get a good feel of how the swamps look like. After Marennes you cross the Seudre on the big bridge to Ronce les Bains. From there, you cycle on a cycle path through the forest of la Coubre and along the 'Bonne Anse' bay back to the starting point. The cycling path, a rare phenomenon in France, is fully paved. Watch out for slower cycling tourists, though. Along the route you will among others see the lighthouse 'phare de la Coubre' (see waypoint).
Mornat, Marennes, la Cayenne, Ronce les Bains, la Palmyre and the starting point of the route are suited for refueling. The route is almost flat with the exception of some dunes and the Viaduc-de-la-Seudre.
Route Saint-Palais-sur-Mer/ Saint-Augustin/ L'Île D'Étaules/ Étaules/ Chaillevette/ Mornac-Sur-Seudre/ Plordonnier/ L'Éguille/ Châlons/ Saint-Martin-Du-Gua/ Nieulle-Sur-Seudre/ Luzac/ Marennes/ la Cayenne/ Marennes/ Marennes Plage/ Viaduc-de-la-Seudre/ Ronce-Les-Bains/ Phare de la Coubre/ la Palmyre/ Saint-Palais-Sur-Mer.