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Saint-Georges-De-Didonne

Terre-Nègre Lighthouse – Tête Nègre Lighthouse loop from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

Saint-Georges-De-Didonne

Terre-Nègre Lighthouse – Tête Nègre Lighthouse loop from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

Easy

4.3

(8)

163

riders

Terre-Nègre Lighthouse – Tête Nègre Lighthouse loop from Saint-Georges-de-Didonne

01:15

29.1km

210m

Road cycling

Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 26, 2026

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Bus stop

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1.14 km

Saint-Georges-de-Didonne Beach

Highlight • Beach

Grande Conche Beach (or Saint Georges de Didonne Beach) is set between two limestone cliffs: to the north, on the Royan side, by the Vallières cliff and to the south, towards Meschers, by the Suzac cliff.
Long of more than 2 km, the beach of Saint-Georges is very arranged in its part close to the city center and more natural, wild towards the point of Suzac.
On this immense expanse of fine sand, swimming is supervised in summer (several lifeguard stations).
Many activities and services are offered: kindergarten, beach club, swimming school, beach volleyball, nautical base, rental of tents and parasols, restaurants.
Outside the summer period, sand yachting sessions take place on the Grande Conche beach under the aegis of the St Georges de Didonne sailing club.

Translated by Google •

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5.57 km

Royan Beach

Highlight • Beach

On the beach of Royan (20,000 inhabitants). This is where the boat that takes you across the Gironde docks/departs.

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8.23 km

Carrelets on Pigeonnier Beach

Highlight • Monument

This beach is a "tobacco-free" beach where smoking is prohibited.
After asking questions to the Ligue contre le Cancer, they point out that "vaping can be a risk reduction tool and a tool to help people quit smoking when used for a limited period of time."

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14.7 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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15.1 km