Royan

[kelv]

We are heading to the Atlantic Coast in France any recommendations for campsites in the Royan La Rochelle area near good beaches bars ect.
Visiting last two weeks of June any help or links to good sites appreciated

 

[Abacist]

We used to take our kids to this area years ago and loved it but its been about 20 years since we have been there. We used to stay near to La Tremblade, Les Mathes and La Palmyre. There are plenty of campsites around in amongst the pine forest.

La cle du champs was one we stayed at a number of times and was a familiy run site which had a shop, swimming pool etc.

There is a big beach between La Palmyre and St Palais sur mer and you park on either side of the road and walk a long way down and the sand used to get very hot but that used to be in August. People do go nude on these beaches but it is not compulsory. I remember my young daughter's first time down and she shouted Oooh look - that man's only got a hat on!

We liked the beach further north where you park in the foret de la coubre and walk down through the forest to a fantastic surfing beach. There is also a campsite near the lighthouse (La coubre). If you have young kids keep a close eye on them in the sea as the waves are very strong. Also some go nude on this beach but we never did!

Shopping was good in local shops in La Tremblade. Good seafood and fish or shellfish soup. St Palais and Royan good for an evening out. Plenty of restaurants around. Make a day trip to Cognac and pay a visit to somewhere like Hennessey to hear all about and see the brandy stores. La Rochelle also worth a visit and Ile de Rez now has a bridge to it but it was a ferry when we used to go and was always queued and backed up for miles.

 

[parknride]

Another Les mathes and palmyre but was years ago with kids. The zoo at palmyre is excellent if you have kiddies but you need at least half a day. Take a picnic. I don't normally like zoos but this was nice.

 

[scousebird]

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This site is just over the road from the beach and a 5-10 minute walk to the main drag with the bars and shops.

 

[Ivory55]

Went to the palmyre zoo years ago when kids were little, they used to have a sea lion display in the afternoon and the giraffes used to lean down at the entrance and pinch the pop corn with their long tongues.

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[kelv]

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This site is just over the road from the beach and a 5-10 minute walk to the main drag with the bars and shops.

Looks a good site just the kind we are looking for thanks

 

[parknride]

When we we went with friends the giraffes scared the living daylights out of our son, about 6yrs old at the time pinching his popcorn! He's 32 now and nearly as tall as them. I have a great photo of it but sadly its at home and on Kodak!!
Also the emus were just finishing playing cheeky it was positively embarrassing. Our friends told their little girls the emus were dancing

 

[tufty]

@kelv we too are headed that way mid to end of June so am interested in any replies you get. We have been to La Rochelle but not further down the coast to Royan and can't decide where to go after spending first few days in Ile de Re and La Rochelle. Royan area is one possibility and may be tempted but a bit concerned it might be like St Jean de Monts in Vendee which we didn't like. Might head inland a bit towards Cognac we'll see.

 

[kelv]

@kelv we too are headed that way mid to end of June so am interested in any replies you get. We have been to La Rochelle but not further down the coast to Royan and can't decide where to go after spending first few days in Ile de Re and La Rochelle. Royan area is one possibility and may be tempted but a bit concerned it might be like St Jean de Monts in Vendee which we didn't like. Might head inland a bit towards Cognac we'll see.

We did the vendee coast last year thought we would try further down liked traunch ser mer in the vendee but that was the as far down as we got might try scousebirds recomendation.