Chemin de la Charente – Rochefort Transporter Bridge loop from Tour de Broue

Bike touring routes & trails

Chemin de la Charente – Rochefort Transporter Bridge loop from Tour de Broue

Hard

4.4

(29)

269

riders

Chemin de la Charente – Rochefort Transporter Bridge loop from Tour de Broue

06:51

117km

400m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 25, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 28.2 km for 158 m

Open: • Monday: 2:00 PM-6:00 PM • Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 AM-12:30 PM & 2:00 PM-6:00 PM (otherwise closed)

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.25 km

Bois de la Rouillasse

Forest

4.16 km

Bois de Coupe-Gorge

Forest

25.6 km

Chemin de la Charente

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

The cycle path opened a rear view of the historic industrial river

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28.1 km

Rochefort Transporter Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

In the 19th century, the only way to cross the Charente was by ferry. But this one was disturbed by the tides. It would have been necessary to build a bridge, but it would have blocked the maritime traffic, then very important on the Charente. It was therefore decided to build this transporter bridge, which was inaugurated in 1900.

The pylons and bridge deck are fixed. A mobile nacelle is suspended from the deck and circulates between the two banks of the Charente thanks to a trolley.

The transporter bridge operated from 1900 to 1967, then was replaced by a lift bridge, itself destroyed in 1991. The transporter bridge has resumed service and now allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross for €2 or €3 each way -feedback.

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40.1 km

Marais de Brouage

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

The Poitou-Charentes marshes are home to exceptional biodiversity and allow you to observe many animals.

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64.0 km

Through the La Coubre state forest

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

Superb walk in the forest.

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73.5 km

View of the Coubre Lighthouse from the dune

Highlight • Viewpoint

At the exit of the Coubre national forest, the landscape opens onto the dunes, and you can see the lighthouse.

The Coubre lighthouse watches over maritime traffic in the Gironde estuary.

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75.2 km

Shaded Cycle Path Along Baie de Bonne Anse

Highlight • Cycleway

Beautiful shady bike path with many picnic opportunities and a great view of Baie de Bonne Anse.

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78.0 km

Plage de Bonne Anse

Beach

78.4 km

Dune Cycle Route of La Palmyre

Highlight • Cycleway

Appreciable track to follow the side and avoid the flow of cars

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79.5 km

Plage de la Palmyre

Beach

87.2 km

Carrelets of Saint Palais sur mer

Highlight • Other

The carrelets of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer are among the most emblematic elements of the Charente coastline. Their history blends traditional fishing, tourist development, and local heritage.

🐟 Origin of the carrelets

Originally, the word "carrelet" referred to a square fishing net used since the 17th century. A precise description can be found as early as 1769, in the writings of the scholar Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau, who mentioned this type of fishing on the Saintonge coast. 👉 At that time, these were not yet the current huts, but simply a net operated from rudimentary structures.

⚓ Artisanal fishing structures

The first local carrelets were simple wooden platforms, built by the fishermen themselves to stand above the water. They were mainly used to catch shrimp, fish, and crabs near the shore, without going out to sea. 👉 It was a family and coastal fishery, less dangerous than sea fishing.

🏖️ 19th – early 20th century: transition to a leisure activity

At the turn of the 20th century, with the rise of seaside resorts like Saint-Palais, the carrelets evolved. Holidaymakers and notable figures adopted this practice: construction of fixed jetties, appearance of huts on stilts. The carrelets then became places for relaxation as much as for fishing. 👉 They already contributed to the postcard image of the coast.

🪵 After 1945: democratization and multiplication

After the Second World War, the number of carrelets increased sharply. They became a symbol of popular leisure and conviviality. The transition was gradually made from a means of subsistence to a recreational activity.

🌊 Storms and reconstruction

The carrelets are fragile in the face of storms:
1999: massive destruction (up to 90% in some areas)
2010 (Xynthia storm): new damage
Many have been rebuilt identically, respecting tradition.

🏛️ Today: protected heritage

In Charente-Maritime, there are about 400 carrelets. They are:
integrated into the public maritime domain
allocated by administrative authorization (often renewed every 5 years)
Since 2018, they have been recognized as cultural heritage of the department.

👉 In Saint-Palais, they can be observed in particular:

at Pont du Diable
at the conche du Concié
at the Puits de l’Auture

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