GR4 walk: From Royan to Saintes
The GR4, a legendary long-distance hiking trail
Linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, the GR4 long-distance hiking trail crosses France from east to west over more than 1,500 kilometres.
It begins in Grasse in the Alpes-Maritimes and ends in Royan in Charente-Maritime, crossing 13 départements in all.
Section 1 of the GR4 from Royan to Saintes
For hikers looking for an adventure accessible to all, section 1 of the GR4 is an excellent choice.
This 120-kilometre stretch runs from Royan to Saintes, offering walkers of all abilities a varied and richly varied route.
This itinerary can be completed in 1 week, covering around 20 km a day.
The GR4 will take you on a journey of discovery through varied landscapes between land and sea. You'll pass through pine forests, salt marshes, picturesque villages and towns steeped in history.
Along the way, you'll discover many places of interest, including :
Royan and its 50s charm
Royan, the starting point for this walking route, is a seaside resort on the Atlantic Ocean, renowned for its 1950s architecture, sandy beaches, Belle Époque villas and casino.
La Coubre national forest
This is the largest state-owned forest in Charente-Maritime. It is mainly made up of maritime pines and holm oaks and covers almost 8,000 hectares.
Marennes-Hiers-Brouage
Renowned worldwide for the quality of its oysters, Marennes also boasts a rich cultural heritage, including its emblematic 85-metre-high bell tower.
Saintes and its rich cultural heritage
Saintes, the finishing point of the 1st section of the GR4 long-distance hiking trail, has been awarded the ‘Ville d'art et d'histoire’ (Town of Art and History) label.
It is home to a number of remarkable Roman and medieval monuments, including the Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, the Basilica of Saint-Eutrope and the Basilica of Saint Pierre.
After a day's walking, why not relax in one of the comfortable rooms in our hotel near Saintes?
For an unforgettable evening, come and discover the show at our Cabaret Le Chais Royal!