Walks in the south of Charente Maritime

This walk is characterised by walking through open fields so don't pick a hot day because it requires some steady climbs in the blazing sun.

Starting point : Chez Carr�

Distance : 15 kms

going : moderate

Start the walk at the hamlet called" Chez Carr�" and follow the tarmac road which goes past "Le Banchereau" and "Romefort". Turn left at the crossroads, walk past a Charentaise house " Chez Doublet" Traffic is very limited. Continue until you reach a narrow tarmac road on your right, Follow the narrow road, then turn left , keep ahead , walk past the hamlet called "La petite vache" then as you emerge into the open field follow the track you reach the hamlet called "La grande vache" . Shortly after passing "La grande vache" you will soon come in sight of a Roman bridge where you can have a rest for a while in the shade .Then a few hundred metres ahead turn right and walk along the tarmac road, walk past the Charentaise houses on your right and take in the view over the Gironde Estuary , Meschers , Talmont... After a while the narrow road emerges onto another tarmac road. From there you can consider returning to the departure point or taking a detour to the village of Talmont. If you turn left you will see the church of Talmont and if you turn right you will return to the starting point. The day we did this walk was so hot that we decided to turn right and return to the starting point. This section of the walk steadily and gently climbs but you may enjoy extensive views over the estuary, carry on up to a footpath sign and then continue walking on the obvious path , you will pass through a small wood before reaching the road that goes from Arces to Epargnes. Cross the road and take the footpath just ahead. Now walk past the farm on your left. The track continues to climb gently for a long section. Keep going and in the distance you can see the village of " Javrezac" and the water tower of Cozes. Keep to the track and then turn right. You will not walk through Javrezac. Then continue along the track through vineyards until you reach the tarmac road signposted Epargnes, walk along the road for a few metres to the crossroads, at which point, turn right. Then at the next road junction turn left , past the beautiful Charentaise house " Chez Doublet" and at the next junction turn right , walk past " Romefort" and follow the road to "Le Banchereau" , take in the view over the Gironde estuary, continue the same tarmac road until you reach the starting point " Chez Carr�" On the one hand this itinary gives you the opportunity to observe birds of prey such as Milans, buzards...But on the other hand this is a walk which perhaps should best be attempted by the relatively fit as there are some long steady climbs.