Are you looking for a destination with varied landscapes, a wide range of activities and visits, and that can be explored in both summer and low season? Take a motorhome tour of Charente-Maritime! Along the coast and from island to island, it lends itself particularly well to road trips in converted vehicles. Numerous service areas and campsites welcome you for one or more nights in exceptional sites, between historic ports, salt marshes and oyster basins. Whether you choose to rent a motorhome or own your own van, our list of must-sees is sure to make for an unforgettable touring holiday.
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
The Ile 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 the campsite and exchange it for bicycles, the ideal mode 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.
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
Back on the mainland, head north to Rochefort, historic home port of Lafayette’s Hermione. The frigate can be visited most of the year. Rochefort is also home to the Corderie Royale maritime museum. Heading up the Charente to its mouth, we finally arrive at Fouras, with its three harbors and five sandy beaches. The tip of the peninsula, at Pointe de la Fumée, offers a unique view of the island of Aix, just opposite, as well as the surrounding islands of Oléron and Ré. Visit Fort Vauban and recharge your batteries in the pine and holm oak forests, ending your motorhome holiday on a calm and relaxing note.
