GR®223 - Portbail - St Germain-sur-Ay Plage

PLEASE NOTE : FOR SAFETY REASONS, PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ON THE FOOTBRIDGE LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF LA RIVIERE IS PROHIBITED UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE.

At the start of this 18 km stage, take the submersible footbridge towards Lindbergh Plage. Note: do not use this footbridge during the spring tides; an alternative route exists. Lindbergh Plage takes its name from the aviator who flew over the area during his flight from New York to Paris in 1927.

Next, you’ll walk across the sand to the slipway in Denneville-Plage. Then walk by the sea towards Bretteville-sur-Ay, where the landscapes alternate between the dunes at Mielles d’Allonnes and the polders and salt meadows typical of this area. On this section, there’s a wetland area that’s submerged by the sea during the spring tides, so take care.

From Bretteville-sur-Ay to Saint-Germain-sur-Ay, you’ll walk through dunes again. Here, the vast beaches are perfect for sand yachting.

In Saint-Germain-sur-Ay, the path heads towards the Pointe du Banc, with its pretty views of the Channel Islands and Saint-Germain-sur-Ay inlet, which begins here. The old guardhouse stands next to the path. Around 20 of these huts were built in the 18th century along the Côte des Havres. This guardhouse was once a customs post before being turned into a chapel. Finally, the path takes you into the village of Saint-Germain-sur-Ay, to the church, before heading back to the seafront.