The state forest of La Coubre, in Charente-Maritime, was planted in the 19th century to slow down the silting up of the Arvert peninsula, which was particularly exposed to the winds coming from the sea. Its 8,000 hectares of maritime pines and holm oaks unfold majestically and are highly biodiverse. The superb walk leads to the coastal dunes of the Arvert peninsula and with a bit of luck, you might spot a stag, a doe or a roe deer.
On the La Coubre headland, the two-coloured lighthouse built in 1904 in the municipality of La Tremblade marks the entrance to the Gironde estuary. It plays an important role as a sentinel on this tumultuous part of the coast. From the top of its 300 steps, at a height of 64 metres, you can admire a magnificent view of the forest and the wild coast. At the foot of the lighthouse is a museum dedicated to the history of lighthouses and their workings. A cycle path of 29 kilometres, from Ronce-les-Bains to Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, is a great way to enjoy this authentic setting, between forest and ocean!
