Ile de Re, France
Seasons Greetings!
We are having a full on multi generational family holiday in France next year ... can anyone recommend sites on Ile de Re that would suit active boys aged 4, 8 and 10? I know the sea is a short walk from lots of sites, but an onsite swimming pool would still be great and a sports area for basket ball, football, activities etc?
We are travelling down from St Malo, so site recommendations along the coast towards La Rochelle would also be welcome.
(The OH and I ventured onto Ile de Re a couple of years ago and promptly turned around and drove off!! Way to busy for our liking but we think it could be a perfect first France holiday destination for the rest of the family and ... we will enjoy it. We will.)
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The Ile de Ré is a very popular destination, especially in peak season so if you are worried about it being too busy you could think about the Ile d'Oleron, next door. Perhaps not as classy as the Ile de Ré but no expensive bridge to get there!!!
David
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We did the same sort of holiday on Re with our grown up children and grandchildren 3 years ago, about 12 of us in a rented house with a private pool, walled garden, indoor and outdoor kitchens, barbecue terrace, and five or six bedrooms. It was wonderful. Can you persuade them to rent and pay for a place like that for you? Try !
The island was furiously busy in August and it took an hour to get over the bridge to the island and an hour to get off again on Saturdays, and the traffic hold ups going south from Nantes toward La Rochelle were monumental. Definitely avoid travel on summer Saturdays.
And can your four year old cope with cycling around the island in flocks of a hundred others in August? We had a great time thanks to the house we rented but I can’t say the Ile de Re at that time of year was the best place we have ever been. Out of season yes. But in August no.
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We finally made it to the island in June 2019. Your problem will be you are in high season summer holiday and it will be heaving and EXPENSIVE. If you are still determined on going then head to the north end where it is a little quieter. You will not need or want to leave the island. We stayed at Ars en Re, which still makes me chuckle.
https://www.campdusoleil.com/services-campsite-france-3-stars-re-island
Typical island site with small sandy pitches and a decent pool, but smaller and quieter than most. Out of the gate turn left for the beach in 100m, turn right and you get to a crossroads where the supermarket is 100m north and the village 200m east.
Colin
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We've been to both Ile de Re and Oldern, both times in June. We much preferred the latter - much quieter and more relaxed. Ile de Re seemed geared up for the wealthy yachters whereas Oleron is much more a working island.
We stayed on a municipal at le Grande Village which was a couple of kilometres from the beach along a nice cycleway. The village had a small shop, restaurant and bar and was very friendly. May not be the best for youngsters however.
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Season's Greetings TandemTwo!
Jane and I stayed in Ile de Re last September. Initially we had booked into the CAMC affiliated site in the north of the island but abandoned our booking as the site was cramped and gloomy - therefore I can't recommend it. Instead we stayed at a 2* site at Ars en Re with great beach access. With a young family I suggest you look at the Ile de Re Tourist website at the following link which was how we found our alternative site: https://www.holidays-iledere.co.uk/your-stay/where-to-sleep/campsites
Good Luck
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We visited the island in June 2018 ( before French arrived en masse in July) Our first campsite was Floral Camping site at La Flotte. 'Bel Air'. It was being 'upgraded' from a municipal to become a 'Family' site: it might suit your requirements. Here's a link to our Story. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/your-stories/chasncath/la-flotte/
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Like many on CT, we've spent many a break (long and short, family and on our own, camping or larger accommodation) on Rè.
many good recommendations so far but we also like LaFlotte and La Grainetiere https://www.la-grainetiere.com has a wonderful family feel, terrific pool for adults and children and a rustic layout which is everything the CAMC isn't...
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That has made my day!! 😁 We've booked La Grainetiere ... so fingers crossed everyone should have a good holiday. As an aside, we are meeting our family from the St Malo ferry and driving down together. We will have been in France for the proceeding 3 weeks which will be a first as we always avoid July because of the cost. However, I've found half a dozen cracking sites so all in all, things are shaping up nicely 👍
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If you want somewhere family orientated close to the ferry, have a look at Haliotis, at Pontorson....http://www.camping-haliotis-mont-saint-michel.com one of the first French sites we used (on a recommendation) and it's a terrific site with access to Mont St Michel and great cycling to/from St Malo..
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Camping Halitosis? Obviously not a breath of fresh air.
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