I have finally booked a campsite, it has been a long process! Was all set to book the one recommended by Kittiwake, when a friend mentioned "Verebleu" in the centre of the island and said they'd stayed 3 years running and it was really excellent. I hadn't really looked at the inland ones (I know it's not very inland!) because I had a thing about being near the beach. Anyway, when I looked at the website it looked amazing, particularly for my 3 teenage and near teenage children. The free wifi, amazing pool, spacious pitches looked a lot more appealing to them than the quiet La Combiette. Then, I started really looking at reviews for La Combiette and it seems the change of ownership has not been well-received by everyone. I had to use google translate as most of them were in Dutch or French but there was talk of the new owners being like the gestapo, shouting at children (especially teenagers) and being generally quite harsh. One reviewer described it as a holiday camp for the elderly. These comments seemed to be backed up by a picture of the new owners who bear an unfortunate resemblance to the Munsters! Now, my girls are generally polite and well-mannered but I don't want them to think they are under surveillance if they are a little bit noisy or splash too much in the pool. Am sure the campsite would be wonderful for us grown ups but did't want the risk of unhappy children!
So, after looking at the gorgeous pool and brilliant reviews of Verebleu I set my heart on booking that campsite. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Although there was availability they have a minimum stay of 11 nights for tents in peak season. I did email several times to see if this was a strict rule and eventually phoned them only to be told 'yes, you must stay 11 nights'. Annoying, as we can't, but it was still available a few days ago if anyone else wants to!
I was getting ready to go back to beleaguered La Combiette but came back to a site I had looked at previously but hadn't been able to find out if they had spaces. I contacted them again and this time they got back to me saying they had one space left. This is at Le Suroit, on the west coast, which happily looks to be a nice compromise between the two. It is virtually right on the beach, has what looks like a nice pool with a slide, really positive reviews (again, mostly French) and a well recommended restaurant. I am happy!!!!
I will review it when we get back and also look in on 'Camping Verebleu" too, if I like Il d'Oleron, I will book it for next year!!! Thank you for everyone's help, it is very much appreciated. I am reading the comments about the traffic with interest. One of the reasons I've picked the island is so that we can do a visit to La Rochelle and also the zoo at La Palmyere and not have to pay a toll each time. We arrive on a Saturday, and not just any Saturday the 1st August which will be when every other person France will be on the roads heading to the coast. Must not make the same error next year. Leaving on a Monday though so that should be better and will make sure our day trips are on a week day.
Wishing everybody a fantastic holiday and some good weather!!!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
My review of Chenes Verts is already on this site as we stayed there a couple of years ago. I would go back solely for the beach which was great. We left the island a couple of times and never really got caught in any substantial traffic jams, although the traffic north to south on the island can be pretty busy. Busier than I like on holiday anyway. I love the island and definitely want to return.
Now this may be the last thing you want to do on a French holiday but by accident last year after a long drive we stopped at La Continiere (5km down the coast from where you are staying) and I was starving so I bought fish and chips from a French booth on the see front (La Merluchon i think) - wow it was amazing with fresh homemade tartare sauce and dill - by far the freshest fish and chips I have ever had - I rarely eat fish and chips in The UK but I may well treat myself again this year.
On a more practical note - from the west coast of the island there is only open water to New York so there can be a strong prevailing wind at times so make sure you have a wind break.
There is a massive le Clerc supermarket in St Pierre which is also about 5km away for all of your provisions.
Your driving time to La Rochelle should be about 1 hour if traffic free. - If you have bikes you can park at the mainland end of the bridge and cycle (for free) across to the Ile de Re if you want to compare the ambience but in my opinion although very pretty it is a little pretentious compared to D'oleron.
Have a fantastic trip - only 3 weeks to go!!!
Guy.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
Hi, its been a few years since we went, but have stayed (albeit in a rented mobile at the time) at Bonne Anse Plage in La Palmyre which at the time was not overly done with evening animations - we don't like them everynight. Has good waterpark on site if you've got kids who like that sort of thing.
Love the suggestions Motorhomeguy, have saved them all so I can refer to them on holiday, thank you for taking the time to post. getting excited, think I will start making lists!!!!
Helen72 one of the things we really liked about La Combinette was the lovely French owners - very much a family run business which had been with the family for years. Can imagine if that changed, a lot would change with it.
It's one of our big ticks for a site - family owned and run...Moulin de Paulhiac in the Dordogne and La Cote in Messanges are both the same.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Yes, the new owners certainly seemed to have upset the regulars from what I could gather in the reviews. The site we've booked seems family owned and thinking back to ones we've stayed at, they always seem to be the friendliest and must well-maintained. May make that one of our tick boxes too!
Not only motorhomeguy wonderful fish and chips at La Continere but prawns and ice cream (not together) both wonderful.
Weve always stayed at camping Municipal les pins right on the beach and a short walk from La continere. Always loved the French ambience,light,beaches,Lighthouse,cycle paths of Oleron. Grand plage is probably the best sandy beach with nice waves,
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Ile d`oleron or mainland?
