Staying on Ile de Re
We are planning a trip to the Charente Maritime and wondered if any members had camped on the Ile de Re? We were wondering whether the island is tricky to negotiate with a longish caravan (shipping length 7.32m) we will be travelling in the next couple of weeks, is booking necessary at this time of year?
An alternative would be to base ourselves near La Rochelle, any tips on good sites in this area would be much appreciated.
Comments
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Island quite alright for caravans. It must be as there are oodles of sites. Lovely place, particularly good for cycling. Can't comment about June and availibility as we only seem to visit there in September.
Other CT members who have stayed in June will be along soon. Normally you wouldn't need to book in June but the same can be said about September and we found it packed last year.
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Hopefully it won't be June in the next couple of weeks or I HAVE lost the plot! I have just been scouring the ACSI book to find sites in that area. I have almost discounted the Ile de Re because I like to fan out and visit about 50 miles or so from my base and I see there is a toll to get on the Ile. I will spend a day on the Ile for sure. I move on from Locmariaquer on Monday I think. Sites seem to be pretty empty round here so I doubt booking is necessary. Have a great time!
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"You're right about not needing to book for May." - OK for the next few weeks but we were there in 2015 at the end of May and got the second to last vacant pitch on La Granetiere (? spelling) near to St. Martin - possibly beginning of half term though.
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I've only visited the Ile de Re once, for just a day in June 2015 and found it featureless, touristy and boring, with drab pine trees. Rather like I imagine a flat sandy Butlins would be.
There are countless unspoiled beautiful and interesting places nearby on the mainland.
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Go and look and see whether you like that island or not. I have lost count of the number of people who say Oh, there is such good cycling there. Personally I couldn't care less about cycling!
I like gardens, scenery, landscapes, museums, good restaurants, good shops and village markets. What do you like? If you pull a face at the Ile de Re try Chatellaillon, Fouras, and Rochefort on the mainland coast.
Play it by ear and have a good holiday.
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Despite enjoying our visit there I agree with Eurortraveller, it's great for cyclists (my brother and family have been visiting for years and love the cycling) but otherwise a bit boring - mainland has better places. The cost of crossing for a day trip is reasonable at this time of year.
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We were there a few years ago and weren't impressed. The best thing was the indoor market at St Martin. Worst was the fact the whole place seemed geared to well-off yachties and the like.
We used the municipal at St Martin which was a decent site.
We much preferred Oleron.
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We have only been once and, as yet, have not been tempted back. Like Ian I found Oleron the more interesting island.
David
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We went a few years ago and target La Grainetiere, but it was pretty full and we didn't like any of the few pitches that were left (the site has a 'random' layout and people seemed to be pitched on top of each other.
We ended up at La tour de Prises site which we thought was fine (and cheaper) but I notice that isn't in the ACSI scheme now.
We enjoyed the Isle de Re but we enjoyed the Quiberon peninsula much more.
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totally agree with David, we go there regularly, and the fun (for us and many more) is to bettle about in the bike discovering a new cove or bar, tucked away somewhere.....attempting this in a car is (imho) neither as easy nor as rewarding....
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