France west coast campsites with kids

We did Ile d'Oleron for last week July / first week in Aug back in 2022 and stayed here -

Camping Ile d'Oleron APV l'Anse des Pins 4 étoiles

Chose Oleron as heard it was less pricey and more accessible than neighbouring islands. The campsite was fab, great pool area and facilities, quick 5 mins walk to a lovely beach that was also great for rockpooling once the tide was out. There was also a daily market in the village (we took bikes but was maybe a 15 min walk there) so found that handy. At night the campsite was quiet, we were over the other side to the bar etc so didn't get any noise etc; our daughter was 5 so we didn't stay for any of the evening 'animations' so not sure how busy they were. Kids club was each morning and each afternoon and despite our daughter being the only English speaker to go, she was there every day and loved it. Overall, a fab campsite and great island to visit. Hope that helps :)

Definitely want to try this, we loved Ile de Re but went in June so avoided the summer crowds. It was stunning and believe Oleron is just a lovely but less touristy.
 
Great thanks, I've heard great stuff about municipals I think I'll have a look for some for the middle of our trip

Click on Map icon for details. Its in French but easy to understand .
 
Definitely want to try this, we loved Ile de Re but went in June so avoided the summer crowds. It was stunning and believe Oleron is just a lovely but less touristy.
I would say definitely visit the other islands as well at some point. Let's clarify: all three islands are equally touristy, each with their own French audience, both as residents (washed up non-native residents) and as visitors (tourists). All three are involved in salt mining and are known for their restaurants (les cabanes) along the beach for delicious seafood and have quit the same vegetation. They each have their own towns that are always busy but also very pleasant. After we visited Île de Ré in 2018, a Frenchman recommended Île d'Oléron to us because the TV stars and ministers have a house on the first and the 'ordinary Frenchman' visits the second ;) I found no clear difference between the atmosphere of the first two but personally find Ile de Noirmoutier the purest to visit. But again: all three are worth a visit. Enjoy!
 
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We found this Aire operator to be very good. It got busier later in the day. I think there were 3 of us that night…


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Yes, indeed :thumb
I mentioned it here:
Post in thread 'France west coast campsites with kids'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/france-west-coast-campsites-with-kids.52397/post-680528
We use it for some years now and to our great satisfaction. Super easy (just apply for a card first and put some money on it; you can also create a card on the spot, but it will take a while). A lot of camping municipals are part of it now.
 
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+1 for la Grainietere

Hi
We have the ferry booked for 24 days in France in mid July/ early August.
Last year we went to Ile de Re, Loire and Normandy. We loved Ile de Re but we were there in May and I believe summer hols are really busy, so although it's not off the list we might avoid it. Our favourite sites we have ever stayed are La Grainettiere on Ile de Re and Le Chateau de Chanteloup in Loire. Kids are 6 and 10, youngest is Autistic so super busy and loud at night sites with long queues would not be ideal - and some reviews of these big sites suggest thats the case in summer. Any feedback on that front would be amazing as I keep holding off booking for fear of being somewhere too hectic. Any recommendations or comments to tweak our intinerary would be brilliant.
My plan so far is,
Huttopia Noirmoutier for 5 nights
Ile de Re, Oleron or other suggestions welcome for 4 or 5 nights - maybe try and fit in Puy de Fou whilst travelling down?
Arcachon or Biscarosse or other suggestions around that area for 6/7 nights - we'd like a pool, lake swims, some paddle boarding or kayaking and cycling
Dordogne - ideally here https://campingmaisonneuve.com/en/pitch/ for 6/7 nights, but we have a shortlist for Dordogne already
Loire - 3 nights - we have stayed in a few places here but recommendations for sites on way from Dordogne to Caen so we can break up the journey for a few nights would be welcomed.
We'd love to mix it up and try some more low key sites like the Huttopia and Dordogne ones and maybe try some bigger parks - but I do worry booking 6 or 7 expensive nights somewhere like that might be too long?
Do you think we are trying to fit in too many places? Don't want to feel like we are always packing up with the kids and loosing chill/ play time, but at the same time don't want to be based somewhere we don't love for too long. I know thats always the balance to strike but any feedback on that would be great.
Much appreciated
 

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