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Explore the hiking trails among the maritime pines.
Located along the Arvert peninsula, the La Coubre national forest protects the dune system of the Wild Coast.
A Coastal Forest Ideal for Hiking
La Coubre Forest, made up of maritime pines and holm oaks, was planted in the 19th century to stabilize the dunes of the Wild Coast. It is home to deer, roe deer, and wild boars.
Managed by the National Forestry Office, this vast 8,000-hectare pine forest is a fabulous playground for walking and cycling enthusiasts.
A large cycle path runs through the forest and serves the peninsula’s many beaches. Let yourself be tempted by the thirty-kilometer cycling route that connects Saint-Palais-sur-Mer to Ronce-les-Bains and is part of the Vélodyssée. For sports enthusiasts, there are specially designed mountain bike trails with 22 kilometers of circuits.
The GR4, a long-distance hiking trail, connects the towns of La Tremblade and Royan, passing through La Coubre Forest.
And if you prefer to discover the forest by car, take the D25 road which connects La Palmyre to Ronce-les-Bains over about twenty kilometers. This stretch of road is splendid and worth the detour for a getaway in nature! Reach the highest point of La Coubre Forest: the Gardour hill, which rises to 64 meters. From this viewpoint, you can distinguish the town of Royan, located twenty kilometers from the belvedere.
You will find many campsites in La Coubre Forest, especially in La Tremblade, Ronce-les-Bains, La Palmyre, Les Mathes, or Arvert.
The La Coubre Lighthouse
The La Coubre Lighthouse is the tallest in the department, standing 64 meters high. It marks the entrance to the Gironde estuary and is one of the most powerful lighthouses in France: its light reaches over fifty kilometers!
Built in 1905, it was originally located nearly two kilometers from the shore. But due to marine erosion, it is now only a few hundred meters from the sea.
From its summit, the lighthouse offers a beautiful panoramic view of the entire forest and the coastline. To the north, you can see Oléron Island and the Maumusson strait; to the south, the Pointe de la Coubre and the Gironde estuary.
To access it, you will climb the three hundred steps of the lighthouse, then a metal ladder. Its interior is covered with blue opaline, a turquoise color that adds a certain charm to the architecture of this beautiful spiral staircase.
At the foot of the La Coubre Lighthouse, there is an ecomuseum where the history of the sentinel is presented. You will also find a shop to bring back a souvenir of your visit.
