il de re?

veg_frenzy · May 9, 2016

Hi all. Looking for experience anyone may have had of a trip down this way - where to stay? when to go? for how long? what to do? what to avoid? the "whole enchilada"! Looking forward to the usual informative and helpful responses. Many thanks.

Archie · May 9, 2016

Don't go you'll hate it....
We hate it that much we are going back for the 5th time this year!
Lovely beaches on the south / west side, miles and miles of dedicated flat cycle tracks away from traffic, fantastic food markets, good range of eateries including little pop up places at the oyster farms in the summer, lots of villages to visit that all have their own character and markets.
We have stayed at Sunelia Interlude near LeBois Plage the last 2 times we have been which is a large site next to a good beach.Good for families. LeBois / La Couarde is a good area to be as you are fairly central so can cycle to most places without moving the van. Definitely worth taking bikes as the whole place is so geared to riding them.

cpjb@btinternet.com · May 9, 2016

if you look in the Europe travel section of this forum you'll fined a thread called "ile de rey - recommendations" which has some good links regarding this area.

If the weather is good you might think you are in Provence. It can be drizzly and overcast though due to its location.

WelshGas · May 9, 2016

Totally agree. Used to cycle from Sunelia Interlude across the island to St Martine each morning for coffee and croissants on the harbour wall. Didn't use the vehicle at all for the whole week, just the bikes. Definitely Recommended. :thumb

veg_frenzy · May 10, 2016

Excited already! Any best or worst times of the year to go?

snowy55 · May 10, 2016

Avoid August.

Lewis · May 10, 2016

Just looked at photos on Google, WOW :thumb

Archie · May 10, 2016

snowy55 said:
Avoid August.

We have never had any choice but to go in the school holidays but find it ok.
You maybe need to book the more popular restaurants, but we like being out on the cycle tracks with lots of people out and about about doing the same. The biggest pain has been getting there and back from the ferries on Saturdays. Definately go on a different day if you have the time.
We have found the local wine to be very drinkable at about 4 quid a bottle, but it's one of those that never quite tastes the same when you get it home!
The local potatoes give Jersey Royals a run for their money, the Bois strawberries (the small ones) taste like no other I have ever had, and the bread from Au pain Marin in Le Bois is well worth a 2 mile ride to collect every morning rather than the campsite fare.
Roll on August for me , school holidays or not!

cleve · May 10, 2016

We stayed here last summer and had an amazing time.
http://www.la-grainetiere.com/

Having come from a very green site in southern brittany we found the site a bit dusty and felt quite busy even though it is small but we quickly warmed to it and the pitches were huge. Pool, bar food, little shop etc was great, they've built a new shower block for this season and the location was fab. We had to cross a very busy road but then it was easy cycling and great location to explore beautiful places by bike. We regretted not taking panniers or the bike trailer though to carry our shopping and beach things. We hadn't expected to cycle to the supermarket as it was so lovely to just leave the cali parked up. We went to La Rochelle one day but spent the rest of the week on the island. We definitely plan to go back.....one day!

ianevans · May 14, 2016

veg_frenzy said:
Hi all. Looking for experience anyone may have had of a trip down this way - where to stay? when to go? for how long? what to do? what to avoid? the "whole enchilada"! Looking forward to the usual informative and helpful responses. Many thanks.

I would strongly recommend buying the ACSI discount camping book. It gives you discounts at 1000's of campsites in Europe, especially in the off-season, which typically runs to early July and starts again in September. We buy ours every year online, here is the link: http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/ You can also get a DVD that gives you all their inspected sites (discount or no discount). Cheers.

the_spudster · May 15, 2016

veg_frenzy said:
Hi all. Looking for experience anyone may have had of a trip down this way - where to stay? when to go? for how long? what to do? what to avoid? the "whole enchilada"! Looking forward to the usual informative and helpful responses. Many thanks.

We have camped 5 times at Camp du Soleil in Ars en Re and love it. ( yes it really is called Ars!) Excellent site with a pool. As a previously mentioned its a must to take bikes. The 'Conche' beach (stunning) is an easy cycle from Ars as is the Lighthouse. La Couarde is slightly further in the other direction. Saint Martin is well worth a visit. (About the only place we would drive to)
Ile de re is usually a nice temperature with a lovely cooling Atlantic breeze.
Cant think of many downsides. Definately worth a visit. You wont regret it!

veg_frenzy · May 23, 2016

Thanks all. Great stuff in here. Any recommendations for sites that have more of a couples vs. family orientation? Or will that not be so important if going late June/early July? Thanks.

veg_frenzy · May 23, 2016

A few more Q's if I may.
1) Enough there to keep us interested for a full 7 days?
2) 2x locations or small enough to stay put at one place?
Thanks.

cleve · May 26, 2016

veg_frenzy said:
A few more Q's if I may.
1) Enough there to keep us interested for a full 7 days?
2) 2x locations or small enough to stay put at one place?
Thanks.

Definitely enough to keep you entertained for a week. Don't forget there's always La Rochelle and places nearby to explore too if you don't mind paying the bridge toll to come of the island for a day.

It is definitely small enough to stay in one location. We explored by bike most days as the roads are pretty busy but you can easily drive to explore areas further from your campsite if you need to. We stayed near La Flotte and it was easy to also get to St Martin by bike. We drove up to Les Portes en Re as it was quite a distance for us to cover with 3 kids in tow!

WelshGas · May 26, 2016

If you stay in the middle then it is a relatively easy cycle ride to each and every village. I think the highpoint of the island is about 25' above sea level.