Camping on Île d'Oléron

Wide dune beaches, a deep blue ocean and picturesque landscapes welcome holidaymakers to camping on the beach on the Île d'Oléron. Enchanting villages with a long history are nestled in the lush countryside. Excellent restaurants serve seafood specialities and delicious wine. The French island on the west coast near Rochefort is an Eldorado for camping with children as well as for those seeking peace and quiet. Active holidaymakers meet mainly on the west coast for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Special features of camping on the Île d'Oléron

The majority of the campsites on the Île d'Oléron are located on the coastal areas and are an ideal base for beach holidaymakers, surfers and sailors. Many cycle paths run along the coast, which is why the campsites by the sea are also suitable for active landlubbers.

Nature lovers like to choose the campsites in the centre of the island. There are picturesque forests and wetlands in the immediate neighbourhood. Numerous birds use the Île d'Oléron as a resting place or breeding ground. They can be easily observed from the quiet campsites. Whichever campsite you choose, shopping facilities are never far away.

Campers with dogs should note that dogs are not allowed on the island's beaches during the day in the high season from mid-June to mid-September. On some beaches, dogs can only be walked during this period until 9 am or after 8 pm. On some beaches, however, four-legged friends are completely prohibited during the high season, regardless of the time of day. In the low season, however, dogs are allowed on most beaches all day.

Getting there

Although camping on the Île d'Oléron takes place on the third largest island in France, holidaymakers can still arrive by car, motorhome or caravan without any problems. The island is connected to the mainland via the Viaduc d'Oléron bridge, which is around 3 kilometres long. Holidaymakers in France can reach the Pont d'Oléron by taking the A10 motorway to Saintes. From there, continue on the D728 motorway towards Marennes until you reach the bridge. From Hamburg via Bremen, Utrecht, Antwerp, Lille, Paris, Orleans and Poitiers, the journey is around 1,430 kilometres. From Berlin, visitors travel around 1,570 kilometres via Hanover, Cologne, Liège, Mons, Paris, Orleans and Poitiers. A popular route from Munich leads via Stuttgart, Strasbourg, Nancy, Troyers, Orleans and Poitiers. In France, there is a rest area along the motorways about every 15 km. Motorway service stations are usually available every 30 to 40 km. It is important to take a long break after 1,000 kilometres at the latest and to spend the night if necessary. If you are travelling with children, you should stop after 500 km.

Destinations on the Île d'Oléron

Camping on the Île d'Oléron is very popular because the island offers kilometres of beaches as well as beautiful nature. Towns such as Boyardville or Le Grand-Village-Plage are charming with their colourful markets, idyllic harbours and exciting history.

Boyardville

Families love to relax on the large sandy beach on the east coast. Afterwards, a stroll along the fishing harbour and marina as well as to the restaurants and shops in the town is well worthwhile. Nature lovers can take a cycle tour through the Forêt des Saumonards forest in the north. A boat trip to Fort Boyard, which Napoleon once had built, is also worthwhile.

Le Grand-Village-Plage

In this town on the south-west coast of the island, everything revolves around the sea. On the one hand, bathing holidaymakers and water sports enthusiasts like to romp around on the 15 km long beach, on the other hand, the delicacies of the Atlantic are savoured in the restaurants. There is a salt harbour worth visiting as well as the Écomusée du Port-des-Salines museum, where visitors can learn interesting facts about salt production and oyster farming.

Le Château-d'Oléron

Art lovers should definitely stop by the fishing harbour here. There are 18 colourful little houses that house studios. Visitors are welcome to watch the potters and painters at work. Another highlight of the town is the largest market on the island, which takes place on Sundays on the Place de la République.

Top 5 sights

• Citadel of Château-d'Oléron: A mighty fortification that was completed in 1704 and partially destroyed during the Second World War.
• Port des Salines: On a short tour, visitors learn fascinating facts about salt production and meet the salt workers in person.
• Forêt de Saint-Trojan: Visitors can discover the national forest and some coastal areas on a 1.5-hour tour on the miniature railway.
• Chassiron lighthouse: One of the oldest lighthouses in France rises 46 metres into the sky at the northern tip of the island.
• Fortifications of Brouage: The mighty citadel with its underground harbour bears witness to the art of the master builder Vauban.

Top 2 insider tips

• Best beaches: There are many shady spots on Boyard beach because the pine forest is very close to the water. The sandy sunbathing area is narrow, but the sea is shallow, which is ideal for families with small children. The Grand Plage on the west coast is completely different, where wide dune areas await sun-seekers. Thanks to the waves and the breeze, kitesurfers feel right at home here.
• Regional markets: Self-catering travellers can look forward to the many markets that take place daily all over the island. There you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, regional products and the fresh catch of the day.

Activities and excursions

The picturesque island is ideal as a holiday destination for nature lovers as well as for active guests who want to burn off energy with horse riding, cycling or water sports. A trip to the French harbour town of La Rochelle on the mainland is sure to be a hit with visitors to the medieval centre and the aquarium.

Water sports

The French Atlantic coast is an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts. The clubs offer various courses for sailors and surfers. The waves on the west coast of Île d'Oléron are particularly suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Deep-sea fishing and match fishing are also popular sports.

Cycling and horse riding on the coast

The Île d'Oléron enchants with its beautiful coastal landscape, forests and wetlands. A cycle network of around 80 kilometres leads to the most beautiful spots. If you prefer to switch from a bike to a horse, you can visit one of the 13 equestrian centres and sign up for courses or rides.

Trip to La Rochelle

The medieval city of La Rochelle with its historic harbour basin and charming old town is only around 60 km away. While strolling around, holidaymakers will discover beautiful half-timbered houses and Renaissance buildings. A visit to the aquarium is a highlight for children.

events

June

• Jet ski championships: Spectators cheer on their favourites on the fast jet skis from the beach. The racers race across the wild Atlantic and past buoys. The participants compete against each other and prove their skill and fighting spirit. The lucky winners are celebrated at the award ceremony.

July

• Oyster festival: This popular event is celebrated in Le Château-d'Oleron. A ball is organised where visitors sway to the beat of the music until late in the evening. Mussels and oysters are also sold at the numerous stalls. The sideboard of mussels is unusual, with exactly 40 of them neatly draped on a square tray. They are then roasted over a huge fire. The celebration ends with a huge firework display.

August

• La Fête de la Mer: This fascinating event is organised in Bourcefranc-le-Chapus. In addition to the colourful procession of fishermen, there are also boat trips and entertaining jet ski baptisms. Renowned DJs from the region play music, people party, dance and marvel at the spectacular fireworks display.

Gastronomy

Oyster farming plays a major role on the Île d'Oléron, which is why the delicacy is also offered in many restaurants. The delicacies usually come from breeding tanks and are known as fines de claire. Other seafood that can be found on many menus are mussels moules or mouclade, a dish in which the mussels are served in a creamy white wine and egg yolk sauce. Excellent meat dishes such as duck breast are also conjured up in the kitchens of the Atlantic coast. Salads, soups and even snails are very popular. First-class French wines are particularly popular at dinner. The products of the neighbouring Bordeaux region are also popular.

Weather

Most holidaymakers come to the coastal areas of France between May and October. This is also when the campsites on the Île d'Oléron are well frequented, as the temperatures are pleasant and there is less rainfall. The warmest time of the year is between July and September, when the average temperature is 21 degrees Celsius. The water in the Atlantic is also around 20 degrees Celsius in August, making it ideal for sailing and surfing. Even in April and November, the weather is quite acceptable, with temperatures at a spring-like 15 degrees Celsius. Sporty guests in particular look forward to activities such as cycling and horse riding in the cooler months. From December to March, the thermometer climbs to a maximum of 13 degrees Celsius and rainfall is to be expected.