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place-de-la-mairie---loix©Pierre GALINE.jpg

A la découverte de Loix

Walking/pedestrian at Loix

4.7 km
Walking/pedestrian
2h
Easy

  • Between the land and the sea: explore the fascinating sceneries of salt marshes, and the narrow streets of Loix!

    A peninsula inside an island boasting a coastline stretching for 14km, surrounded by the ocean, Fier d’Ars and its marshlands, Loix retains its authentic and welcoming atmosphere.

    Situated at one end of the village, the cove-shaped beach is nestled in the Pointe du Grouin from which starts the cycle path – a delicate ribbon that winds between the sea and salt marches – leading to the harbour. And here, stands the island’s last tide mill remaining deaf to the assaults of time.

    The unrivalled sceneries and luminous light that have inspired painters who have been used to show their art for 15 years during the “Painters’ Day” on 15 August. Then, after following narrow streets and lanes, you will reach the church of Sainte-Catherine and the reddish soil of the square facing it.
  • Difference in height
    15.83 m
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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Points of interest
1 Departure – Market square
The market at Loix takes place every day from 1 July to 31 August.

Out of season: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Then take Rue du Communal.
2 Tourist Office of Loix
3 Tourist Office
4 Agnès Bouloche signpost
5 Rue du Communal
Follow Rue du Communal – a beautiful flowery lane.
Communal activities, including parish festivities, used to be held here in the past.
6 Rue du Communal
7 Rue du Passage 1
This street connects the harbour to the centre of the village. It presents two faces: the beginning of the street is picturesque and flowered and, after the roundabout, it turns into a long street with an old windmill.
8 Rue du Passage 2
Before getting to the harbour, to the left, you’ll enjoy the superb view of the salt marshes.
9 View of the salt marches
10 Salt marshes seen from the air
11 Absolument Canoë
12 The Harbour and Fosse de Loix
The island’s last tide mill can be found close to the Harbour House. It was first used for crushing grain thanks to its grindstones using the movement of tides. It was then converted into a salt washing structure.

To the rear, the tank which is surrounded by a wooden footbridge allowed to create flushing waters in order to prevent silting problems in the harbour.

It is also the starting point for walking tours of the marshlands on board canoes accommodating three persons.
13 In the harbour of Loix
14 Rue de la Genève
Domaine des Tourettes dates from the 17th century. Its towers used to house a distillery and a dairy.
15 Les Tourettes
16 Rue du Couvent
You can find the community centre of Loix in Rue du Couvent.

This is the former convent – Asile Sainte Agnès – after which the street is named.
17 Asile Sainte Agnès
18 The Mill
19 Rue du Peulx – Pas du Peulx
Here, at low tide, you can enjoy the view of the Banc du Bucheron facing the forest of Trousse Chemises at Les Portes en Ré. To the right, you can see the Vendée with the water tower of La Tranche sur Mer on the horizon.

Follow the coast to the right.
20 Pas du Peulx
21 Banc du Bûcheron
22 Traditional village of Loix.
Turn right and take Chemin de Corps de Garde. Visit the traditional village of Loix.
23 Fromagerie Chèvrerie Lefort
24 La Savonnerie de Ré
25 Atelier Quillet
26 Rue des Minées
Can you find the sundial?
27 Rue des Charettes
28 Arrival: Place de la Mairie - Place de l’Eglise
The square is dominated by the church of Sainte Catherine. Nestled in the lime-trees, it stands out on the reddish soil. You will enjoy watching boules players. Built in the 13th century, it was reconstructed in 1830 and it was only in 1905 when the separation of church and state was decided that the Republican motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” was inscribed on its pediment.
29 The church and its graveyard
16 meters of difference in height
  • Start altitude : 7 m
  • End altitude : 6 m
  • Maximum altitude : 7 m
  • Minimum altitude : 1 m
  • Total positive elevation : 16 m
  • Total negative elevation : -16 m
  • Max positive elevation : 3 m
  • Min positive elevation : -4 m