If you want to plan your stay around your interests, Ciré-D'aunis offers several options: a cycling route with two distance options, fishing ponds in the Rochefort marshes, heritage sites and the natural area of Bois des Mornards. The route length and duration can help you choose the right one of the two tours.
Cycling: two routes to choose from
The Vélo Ciré route begins and ends at Place de la Croix Jaune in Ciré-D'aunis. Part of the Aunis Sud cycling network, it passes through Ciré-D'aunis, Ardillières and Landrais. The shorter route is 11.7 kilometres long, and the longer one is 23 kilometres. The listed times for mountain or hybrid bikes (VTT/VTC) are one hour and 30 minutes and three hours, respectively. This lets you make your choice based on both distance and the stated duration.
The Château de Ciré is listed as a point of interest on the Circuit Vélo Ciré, on Rue du Champ de Foire. If you plan to ride the route, check the latest route guide beforehand: route details may be adjusted in future editions.
Fishing in the Rochefort marshes
Etang des Colverts comprises two private fishing ponds in the Rochefort marshes, within the municipality of Ciré-D'aunis. Together, they cover more than five hectares. One pond, covering 0.5 hectares, is designated for fishing for trout, sturgeon and coarse fish. The offering therefore combines a specific choice of fishing spot with several named fish species.
Fishing is permitted only from the bank. A government-issued fishing licence is not required; day and half-day permits are available. These conditions are important for planning: fishing is intended to take place from the bank, and you can choose a permit for the duration that suits you.
Wet woodlands and herons in the Bois des Mornards
The ZNIEFF Bois des Mornards, located in Ciré-D'aunis, covers 88.88 hectares. Its habitats include wet woodlands that flood in winter and are criss-crossed by old ditches, as well as meso-hygrophilous hay meadows along the edges. The area is also home to a significant breeding colony of grey herons and purple herons.
Church, château and local history
The history of the Château de Ciré is linked to its reconstruction in 1549. That year, Olivier de Culant, Baron of Ciré and Seneschal of Aunis and Saintonge, had it rebuilt. The present-day Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin (Eglise de la Nativité de la Sainte Vierge) was also rebuilt in 1549 by Olivier de Culant, Baron of Ciré. Its history goes back further: around 1152, Guillaume de Ciré originally built it as a small Romanesque church.
The church can be viewed from the outside year-round. The altar tabernacle with exposition has been protected as a movable cultural asset since 21 September 1984 and was restored in 2009 by Bénédicte Le Blanc. The municipal library is housed in the former girls' school building, dating from 1882. Alongside the histories of these buildings, a protected cultural asset and the former use of a school building offer further concrete details about the area.
Horse-riding activities
The Poney Club de Marcou in Ciré-D'aunis offers riding lessons for all ages and levels. It also offers riding courses and workshops for children and adults, as well as pony games and activities for toddlers with ponies. These riding activities broaden the options for visitors whose interests extend beyond cycling, fishing or heritage.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Fort-Sur-Gironde, Sousmoulins, Nantillé, Le Fouilloux, Pont-L'abbé-D'arnoult, Trizay, Foulerot, Clérac.
For the overview of the wider area: Charente-Maritime.
