Our first visit back to the Ile De Re in France for around 40+ years. The last time we went the children were small and we used our trailer tent. Our lasting memories were being pushed out of the sand dunes on the campsite where our trailer tent got stuck.
So, 40 years on and we were ready to find a few changes. We picked our site pretty much at random on the North of the island a stones throw from Le Blois Plage. Unfortunately our chosen site was not the best Le Varennes, a largish site but now predominately chalets and lodges. The camping area was a small space for around 35 units, pretty much squashed in and resembling an aire. The only plus point was the toilet and shower facilities were clean and used by fewer people.
Our pitch fortunately was one of the larger ones under the pine trees.
The site had a touring area rather squashed in.
There was also an indoor and outdoor pool. The bar was not a restaurant, but did do burgers and pizzas when open. There was a shop for morning bread but only open for 2 hours in the morning. The village nearby had a supermarket and restaurants a 10 minute walk.
We must admit to feeling slightly short changed by the facilities. Clean but the hot water in the showers took ages to come through It would also have been better to have a bar that was open in the afternoon and a better stocked camp shop.
The beach was a short walk away over the dunes and the town had a daily busy market. The Ile De Re has a huge bridge to get across and a lovely charge of 40 Euros. The island is criss-crossed with cycle paths, which can get very busy. Not too bad in June but I can imagine they would be crammed in high season.
We rode the cycle path to St Martin en Re. The harbour was very busy and full of tourists.
Picturesque but incredibly busy.
We enjoyed our stay here but would probably not return as the place was far too busy for us.
All too soon, time to make the journey homeward. We spent 5 days travelling home stopping at La Fleche, Camping La Route D'Or for two days.
While we were there, a commemoration ceremony for the WW1 & 2.
Attended by youngsters from the military academy in the town and old soldiers
La Fleche is a great town to wander around in and we will stop there again.
A final stop on our way home, back to St Nicolas at Le Bec Hellouin.
Incidentally, love my new sunshades.
Back to France in August. Ile D'Oleron this time.
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