Grottes de Matata – Boulevard du Marais loop from Meschers-sur-Gironde

Grottes de Matata – Boulevard du Marais loop from Meschers-sur-Gironde

Easy

5.0

(2)

riders

Grottes de Matata – Boulevard du Marais loop from Meschers-sur-Gironde

00:50

14.4km

50m

Gravel riding

Easy gravel ride. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parc naturel marin de l'Estuaire de la Gironde et de la Mer des Pertuis

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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1.67 km

Matata Caves

Highlight • Gorge

to visit imperatively

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1.86 km

Grottes de Matata

Highlight • Cave

There is a museum, within the dozen caves, which you can visit to go back in time to the prehistoric man who potentially took refuge in these trogolodyte caves.

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2.76 km

Particularity of the Atlantic coast, squares are fishermen's huts mounted on stilts. there are just over 400 of them officially listed as Charente-Maritime heritage since 2018. Built on wooden stilts and connected to the ground by a long pontoon, the foundations of the squares are immersed in water.
These fishing huts owe their name to a large square fishing net, called the carrelet, which is lowered and raised in the sea by a system of winch or tackle, which lifts the net horizontally using a pulley or of a rope. This fishing system is also regulated by the Departmental Directorate of Maritime Affairs. The technique of plaice fishing consists of placing a bait in the center of the net. This is then lowered into the water and when submerged it is lifted quickly and steadily to get the bait moving. This type of fishing generally takes place at rising tide, in shallow waters, and makes it possible to catch mullet, small sole, crabs, shrimps and even eel depending on the location, as in the estuary of the Charente.

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4.42 km

Cycle path on the Marais

Highlight • Other

Gravel - easy to ride

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4.54 km

Marsh Cycle Path in Meschers-sur-Gironde

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Dedicated bike path without cars along the marshes with panoramic views

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7.85 km

Boulevard du Marais

Highlight (Segment) • Other

Boulevard du Marais offers both magnificent views of the coast and the Talmont marshes. We appreciate the contrast between the brackish meadows of the coast, the tamarisk hedges, the marshes and the salt-tolerant flora which adapts to humid environments.

Due to tidal variations, the landscape is constantly changing and is a constant source of wonder.

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10.6 km

Fisherman's cottages

Highlight • Other

The square, typical fishing "hut" of the region, is an integral part of the estuary.
On December 27 and 28, 1999, storm Martin ravaged the region and caused considerable damage to the squares of the Charente coast and the estuaries of the Gironde and the Seudre. It was estimated that more than 200 squares had been destroyed.
From the year 2000, many squares were rebuilt according to very strict rules, materials, colors, surface... We wondered what was going to be done for those of Talmont and Meschers. The decision was made to rebuild the squares.

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