Are you looking for a destination with diverse landscapes, offering a wide range of activities and sights, and that’s worth exploring in both summer and the off-season? Explore Charente-Maritime in a motorhome! Along the coast and from island to island, it’s particularly well-suited for road trips in motorhomes. Numerous service areas and campsites welcome you for one or more nights in exceptional locations, including historic ports, salt marshes, and oyster beds. Whether you choose to rent a motorhome or have your own camper van, our list of must-see destinations promises an unforgettable road trip during your stay.
La Rochelle
From the fortified towers of the Old Port to the beach at Les Minimes, La Rochelle will take you from discovery to discovery. Stop for a day to stroll around the historic center, or longer if you want to visit the aquarium, the bunker and the maritime museum. From the port of La Rochelle, you can embark for the island of Aix, or for a cruise around the famous Fort Boyard. Head north of town to continue your journey over the huge Pont de Ré, which has linked La Rochelle to the Ile de Ré since 1988.
The island of Ré
TheIle de Ré is accessible by boat or by bridge. If you’re traveling by motorhome, take advantage of the presence of the bridge to spend several days on the island, discovering the atmosphere of its various villages and the richness of its unspoilt natural spaces. On site, leave your vehicle at our 4-star campsite on the Ile de Ré and exchange it for bicycles, the ideal means of transport for strolling around the island. Don’t miss the Baleines lighthouse, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the Bois-Plage market, or the listed villages of Ars-en-Ré and La Flotte.
Discover the best motorhome parking areas on the Ile de Ré.
Oleron Island
Take the Pont de Ré back to the mainland, head south and set course for a new island, Oleron. Also connected to the mainland by a bridge, it is easily accessible by motorhome. It’s a step we’d be remiss not to take! The large island of Oléron faces the famous oyster-farming site of Marennes. You’ll be seduced by its wild landscapes, built heritage and range of water sports activities. Don’t miss the Chassiron lighthouse, emblematic of the island with its black and white stripes, the port of Les Salines and its ecomuseum, or the citadel of Château d’Oléron.
Rochefort and Fouras
On your way back to the mainland, head north to explore Rochefort, the historic home port of Lafayette’s ship, the Hermione. The frigate is open to visitors for much of the year. In Rochefort, you’ll also find the must-see Corderie Royale, home to the maritime museum. Traveling up the Charente River to its mouth, you’ll finally reach Fouras, with its three harbors and five fine-sand beaches. The tip of the peninsula, at Pointe de la Fumée, offers a unique view of the Île d’Aix, located directly across the water, as well as the islands of Oléron and Ré that frame it. Visit Fort Vauban and recharge your batteries in the pine and holm oak forests to end your stay at the campsite on a calm and relaxing note.
