La Rochelle, France campsite please

T

Tony50

Joined
May 7, 2017
Posts
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Location
Suffolk
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48,544
MH
Chausson 788
Exp
20 years
Heading for La Rochelle, we would like on seafront or near seafront campsite ( not Aire if possible ) in La Rochelle or nearby if anyone has a suggestion it would be great.
 
Camping Le Soleil Municipal is close to the harbour and very well situated for the town but it is rather shabby. Their website seems to be down atm. The Aire on the north side of the town is OK but a good 40 mins walk back to the centre.

The best campsites for beach access, closest to La Rochelle will be on the I'ile d'Re but I've not been to any myself. There is also a toll of around 20 Euros to use the bridge to access the island

We've stopped in the big car park at Plage des Minimes for a few nights, no services but right next to the water taxi to town.

​

 
we are heading to this area in June .. thanks for info ,

probably give La Rochelle a miss and go straight onto the island .. the cycling is reported to be good ..

has anyone cycled back into La Rochelle from the island ?
 
re 'not an aire' - they vary so much in terms of size and facilities ....
we have used Lac du Frace aire several times. its about 15 miles from la Rochelle, in a woodland lake area. Its free and has toilet facilities, though last time the wc disposal wasnt available. perfect for one night before moving on.

with regards to campsites, its worth looking at Ile de Re as suggested. Lots of on the beach campsites, we stayed on one at the 'top' of the island, perfect, 20m from the golden sand beach ...

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The best way would be to cross the bridge to Ile de re & use the campsite or Aire at Rivedoux plage. The bus to La Rochelle stops there & drops off at bus station. Beware that as it’s the last stop before the bridge it does get full at busy times.
 
We’re staying at Camping Le Cormoran, Il de Re, for last two weeks of June. 400m to the beach, 1km to nearest, very beautiful looking town. Never been before but have very high expectations of a great, relaxing summer hol! If any Funsters are there at the same time you’ll recognise us as having 2 converted to electric push bikes, a dog trailer with a lazy, fluffy, white Samoyed dog in it, and a Yorkshire terrorist on the handlebars. Oh! And towing a 21plate Aygo toad. Should really get a Funster sticker I suppose.

Cheers! Russ, Kathryn, Luschia & Rosie.
 
scotjimland said:
we are heading to this area in June .. thanks for info ,

probably give La Rochelle a miss and go straight onto the island .. the cycling is reported to be good ..

has anyone cycled back into La Rochelle from the island ?
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We e stayed on Ile de Re many times and on different campsites. Cycled a lot on the great network of cycle paths as well. The bridge cycle is a major challenge if there's any wind at all. The cycleway is also a footway so a shared space. The volume of vehicles on the bridge can be unnerving. The island end is well connected to the cycleways but the land end places you a long way out of town , not very interesting. For overnight stays you have to be on a campsite or one of the few Aires, local police do not tolerate any wild camping, there are local laws which are enforced otherwise the island would be overwhelmed. Don't go in the summer holidays, the place is full every year! Prices are high, shops, cafes and eateries are rammed. September is good as is late May to early July.
 
We stayed on Camping Le Beaulieu just outside La Rochelle in September 2019, it was fine for a couple of nights and to do a wash!!
Large commercial centre over the road where you could catch one of the many buses into the centre ( around 5 minutes) for €1 each!
La Rochelle is lovely and well worth a visit.
Then we went over to the Ile de Re and stayed on the first aire you come to, great views of the bridge!
We cycled and stayed in various places all over the island ( really safe with loads of cycling routes) I opted out of cycling over the bridge it looked a bit scary!! but I regret that now and would probably attempt it next time!



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Abgs said:
Camping Le Soleil Municipal is close to the harbour and very well situated for the town but it is rather shabby. Their website seems to be down atm. The Aire on the north side of the town is OK but a good 40 mins walk back to the centre.

The best campsites for beach access, closest to La Rochelle will be on the I'ile d'Re but I've not been to any myself. There is also a toll of around 20 Euros to use the bridge to access the island

We've stopped in the big car park at Plage des Minimes for a few nights, no services but right next to the water taxi to town.

​

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When we were there in 2022, after trying unsuccessfully to make a booking, the manager told me that they don’t answer the telephone and rarely respond to email!
 
We stayed here for a few nights about 10 years ago, not normally our type but our 15 year old and her friend were with us. Great cycling and easy to get to La Rochelle

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Details and reviews for Les Sables **** a Independent Campsite France plus motorhome stopovers and campsites in Europe
www.searchforsites.co.uk
 
scotjimland said:
we are heading to this area in June .. thanks for info ,

probably give La Rochelle a miss and go straight onto the island .. the cycling is reported to be good ..

has anyone cycled back into La Rochelle from the island ?
Click to expand...
We used the municipal bus service, fairly frequent and very convenient. It’s a long cycle over the bridge.
 
scotjimland said:
has anyone cycled back into La Rochelle from the island ?
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Yes, as part of our cycling trip up from Santander on La Vélodyssée towards Nantes we spent 5 days on Île de Ré and cycled there and back over the bridge. It’s a bit of a plod getting up to the halfway point (we don’t have electric bikes and were fully loaded with camping gear) but it’s a separated path from the motorised traffic.

The island is totally geared towards cycling - you’ll have a great time.

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To add: we stayed in La Flotte which has many harbour side bars and eateries, a great market, and a good swimming beach on the eastern side. A good day out to cycle to the far end at Ars-en-Ré and visit the oyster shacks en-route. You won’t find any fresher!

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Did the Il de Re a good few years back..enjoyed the place immensley..great cycle routes..plenty of things to do and see..
Give the Il de Oleron a look too..
 
We're thinking of heading to I'll de Re late May/early June and prefer campsites. Would we need to book at that time of the year as it seems to be so popular? We never usually book anything, just bumble about as the mood takes us.
 
Allybob said:
We're thinking of heading to I'll de Re late May/early June and prefer campsites. Would we need to book at that time of the year as it seems to be so popular? We never usually book anything, just bumble about as the mood takes us.
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In my opinion booking would be a good idea as the good sites were fullish last year.
Never used to be the case but things have changed.
 
Allybob said:
We're thinking of heading to I'll de Re late May/early June and prefer campsites. Would we need to book at that time of the year as it seems to be so popular? We never usually book anything, just bumble about as the mood takes us.
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Like yourself, we rarely book anywhere... the joy of not having to be at a certain site on a specific date takes away the spontaneity of touring.. we often change plans en route

So, while we may not get into a site or aire of our choosing, there are plenty more.. and in our experience, if you arrive early afternoon at an aire you get in,,

Sites we dont generally use .. so just take our chances

Years ago with kids we always booked to ensure they had a good holiday and we generally stayed for one or two weeks.. nowadays we only stay for a few days then move on.. so booking sites doesn't really work for us now ,,

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We’re planning on heading to La Rochelle for a couple of days tomorrow. Which site is nicest location out of Pont Neuf Aire and Camping Le Beaulieu? Could also do with a bit of laundry too.
 
We stayed here in March about a 5 -10 bike ride along promenade into Town Centre. Its says its an Aire but in effect its a site, big pitches 4 drive over waste points showers toilets EHU etc about 14 euro a night if I remember, there were plenty of spaces, if you look at map below just turn right out of gate walk down the road left at roundabout and onto promenade for lovely walk or bike ride into town where bars/ restaurants are in abundance. If we go back would head for that one straight away. As you would expect its a tourist area so not cheapest on the quayside.




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Thanks. We’re heading there now as both our intended visits today have been thwarted due to road closures!
 
Just arrived, surprisingly well occupied already. Not a lot of choice, amongst the EHU pitches. Easy to get to though, avoiding the town.
 
We stay here when visiting La Rochelle. There's a small beach very near. Best thing is it's free. In fact we were there two weeks ago.
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