What to see in France

The Ile d'Oléron, an island with 77 campsites

Les cabanes de pêcheurs au bord de l'eau sur l'île d'Oléron
Les cabanes de pêcheurs au bord de l'eau sur l'île d'Oléron

There are nearly eighty campsites on this little island bordered by the Bay of Biscay, situated in the west of France in the region of New Aquitaine. At 30 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide, it is France's largest island after Corsica.

The main feature of the Ile d’Oléron is its outstanding natural beauty as well as its wild side, reflected in the many forests throughout practically the whole territory, also its beaches and all of its wildlife and particularly rich, fragrant and colourful plant life thanks to year-round sunshine and a particularly mild climate.

Beaches for everyone

The beaches on the Ile d’Oléron are of a rare quality. Not only are eleven of them Blue Flag beaches (a label which certifies the quality of the swimming water), but they all also offer different varied landscapes. So to the east are the magnificent beaches of La Brée-les-Bains and Saumonards in the town of Boyard Ville where you can admire the famous Fort Boyard in the distance. The beaches of La Rémigeasse and Marennes are particularly family-friendly. Further north, board sports enthusiasts will love the beaches of Les Sables-Vignier, Domino and Les Hottes. Finally, the Plage de Gatseau in the south of the island, bordered by the forest, is ideal for those looking above all for peace and quiet.

Ile d'Oléron boats
Ile d'Oléron boats© Thinkstock

On foot or by bike

Our nature tour on the Ile d’Oléron continues with the walks and the hiking trails of the Marais des Bris at Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, a walk which offers you 37 managed hectares across a rich and varied landscape.

The Saint-Trojan tourist office also suggests the 'Marais des Oiseaux' nature centre at Dolus-d’Oléron, an opportunity for the family to get some fresh air while learning about the animals that live there.

The Marennes Basin is a great place for walking. Check out the Romanesque church and the Château de Feusse in Saint-Just-Luzac. There's also Fort Louvois (in the middle of the oyster beds) and the former fishing village of Le Vieux Chapus.

You can enjoy amazing scenery up to the oyster harbour of Bourcefranc-Le-Chapus, and the undeniable charm of the colourful huts and those on stilts and their barges, the local traditional boats. Discover salt farming from Dolus-d’Oléron to Saint-Trojan, passing through Le Château-d’Oléron and its superb citadel where you can go on guided tours.

Between Marennes harbour and the oyster harbour of Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, you can enjoy remarkable scenery, worthy of this island which has the Family Plus label: practical services, activities for everyone, events for every age group each for an appropriate price, and also children looked after by professionals. Everything for an unforgettable family camping holiday on the Ile d’Oléron, full of happy memories.

 

 

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