TOUR ESSENTIALS

WAY TO GO

We crossed by ferry from Dover to Calais, overnighting there so we could shop at the nearby supermarket.

We drove to Camping Parc de Loisirs Le Val Fleuri, at Cloyes-sur-Le-Loir, via the A16 to Abbeville, then the A26 to J10, where we took the D915 to Gournay.

We took minor roads, avoiding Rouen, the D216 and D313/D316 to Evreux and the N154 to Chartres, then the N10 to the site.

Next day, we resumed the N10 to Tours and Poitiers, then the A10, exiting at J33 for the N11, which took us to La Rochelle and the bridge for Ile de Ré.

WHEN TO GO

We visited Ile de Ré in late May to early June. This popular island gets very busy during the high season.

FOOD AND DRINK

L’Océane restaurantloceane.eatbu.com

La Cabane

9 Allée du Phare, Saint-Clementdes Baleines 17590

Le Belem

29 Quai de la Poitheviniere, Saint-Martin-de-Ré

FIND OUT MORE

Destination Ile de Ré holidays-iledere.co.uk

WHERE WE STAYED

Camping Seasonova Route de la Pointe à Chabot, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré

Open 1 April to 31 October

Pitches 109

ACSI price (low season) €21

Sizeable pitches, new facilities block and a small pool. The snack bar is only open in high season, but the village is just a short stroll away. Outside the site, there’s a bus for La Rochelle, but it takes a long time.

Flower Camping Le Bel Air

5 Route de la Noue, 17630 La Flotte

Open 31 March to 30 September

Pitches 110

ACSI price (low season) €19

Large pitches at this busy site. One facilities block is rather old, but new ones are dotted about the site. There’s a restaurant, a pool and bike hire. The site is just off the main road, but pitches are quiet. A short walk in woods takes you to a local supermarket.