Head west for a rejuvenating vacation
Western France attracts visitors with its vast, unspoilt landscapes and towns steeped in history. Spending your vacation on the Atlantic coast means taking a deep breath of fresh air by the ocean to recharge your batteries and disconnect from everyday life. Discover a few destinations in Western France where you can spend a successful holiday!
En route to Ile-de-Ré
Just a stone’s throw from the city of La Rochelle, the Ile de Ré is a must-see destination for a successful vacation on the Atlantic coast: between ocean, salt marshes, forests… you’re sure to get away from it all! The 4th largest island in mainland France, the Ile de Ré is made up of 10 authentic villages full of charm and breathtaking beaches where you can enjoy magnificent sunsets. The ideal holiday? Discover this jewel of Charente-Maritime by bike to enjoy the sea air, unspoilt landscapes and typical Ré houses. And don’t forget to sample the local produce: oysters, salt, salicorne, wine and potatoes! The village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is well worth a visit to admire its fortifications and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the narrow streets of this historic center.
The island offers a wide range of activities to satisfy all your desires and those of your little ones. It also boasts 3 thalassotherapy centers and numerous spas and wellness areas where you can recharge your batteries by the ocean and enjoy the benefits of the sea.
Heading for Cap-Ferret
The Cap-Ferret peninsula will make you dream, thanks to its landscapes and its many activities. The impressive Dune du Pilat will blow your mind once you’ve scaled its 109-meter-high peak. Listed as a “Grand Site de France”, Europe’s highest dune, 3 km long and 500 m wide, promises a breathtaking view once you’re up there. Still got energy to spare? The Cap-Ferret lighthouse, 57 metres high, awaits you to offer you a panoramic view of the peninsula, the Bassin, the Dune du Pilat, the ocean, the oyster beds… All you need is a bit of courage to climb the 258 steps! A tour of the Île aux oiseaux, where the landscape changes with the tides, is also a must if you want to appreciate all the treasures of Cap-Ferret. Not forgetting the Banc d’Arguin, bike rides, water sports… there’s so much to do and see on a Cap-Ferret vacation, you won’t want to be bored!
Direction Ile d’Oléron
The Ile d’Oléron lies to the south of the Ile de Ré, and is just as charming as its neighbor. Listed as a protected natural site, it’s the perfect place to spend a vacation on the Atlantic coast, tasting its world-famous Marennes d’Oléron oysters. Its wide, unspoilt beaches with translucent waters invite you to relax and swim. Theisland is criss-crossed by 130 km of cycle paths, making for pleasant rides to appreciate the diversity of its landscapes: forests, dunes, marshes, nature reserves, cliffs – in short, you’re at the heart of an exceptionally rich fauna and flora! The island is often referred to as the “luminous island”, thanks to its intense and distinctive light, said to evoke that of Morocco. The island of Oléron also appeals to active holidaymakers and those looking for entertainment. It’s the playground for a wide range of activities: cycling, hiking, sailing, surfing, kayaking… not forgetting visiting its old stones and heritage!