The best gravel rides around Saint-Trojan-Les-Bains

Perfectly accessible on foot or by bike from the Port du Douet parking lot, this beach is sublime like all those on the island of Oleron

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The port of Douhet, located in the commune of Saint-Georges-d’Oléron, is today a pleasant marina, but its history is intimately linked to the salt and wine trade. Origins Until the 19th century, the region's products (notably salt from the salt marshes and wine from Oléron) were difficult to transport by sea. To remedy this, a vast project was launched in the 1840s: a channel over 3 km long was dug between Saint-Georges-d’Oléron and the ocean, opening onto the new port of Douhet. An active commercial port The port quickly became an export center: * barges loaded salt and wine barrels there; * boats also brought building materials and various goods intended for the island. In the 1870s, there were around 400 ship movements per year, with several thousand tons of goods imported and exported. The decline At the end of the 19th century, several factors led to its decline: * the gradual abandonment of the salt marshes; * the improvement of roads and then the arrival of the tram on the island; * the regular silting up of the channel. After the First World War, the channel silted up almost completely and commercial traffic gradually disappeared. The revival In the late 1980s, the basin was completely rehabilitated and transformed into a marina. It now accommodates around 350 to 400 boats and is one of the main marinas on the island of Oléron. Its location, in the cove of Malconche, offers a remarkable view of Fort Boyard and the Île d’Aix. The old channel, although no longer navigable to the village, continues to supply seawater to the old salt marshes and today constitutes a pleasant walking or cycling route. It is a place where the traces of Oléron's maritime past can still be read in the landscape: the quays, the bridge, the channel, and the old hydraulic structures bear witness to the era when salt was the island's main wealth.

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

📍 Introducing the Gilet Cove The Gilet Cove is a small, natural beach on the oceanfront, located on Boulevard de la Conche de Gilet / Boulevard de la Falaise, in the town of Vaux-sur-Mer, just before Royan. 🌿 It's a sheltered, rocky cove, appreciated for its tranquility and more intimate setting compared to the larger urban beaches nearby. 🏖️ At high tide, the sea can completely cover this small beach, making the space very limited; at low tide, you can enjoy a patch of sand and rocks for relaxing or swimming. 🧭 Features & Tips 📍 Type of place: small, unsupervised beach, nestled among the rocks with sand and cliffs. 🏖️ Tides: access is best at low tide — at high tide the beach can disappear underwater. 🐶 Animals: prohibited from April 1st to September 30th (subject to municipal regulations). 👣 Access: via stairs from the boulevard above, surrounded by villas with sea views. 🚫 Lifeguard services: no lifeguard station or marked services. 📍 Location La Conche de Gilet is often considered the last small beach in Vaux-sur-Mer before reaching Royan/Pontaillac when following the coastline from Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.

A unique and peaceful spectacle.

The port of Douhet is essentially the mouth of the Douhet Canal. There are several nice restaurants nearby.

You can rent boats for a closer look at the salt pans, and there are excellent bars for refreshments! https://www.port-des-salines.fr/