Camping La Combe à l'Eau

What a splendid region the Île de Ré is for cycling, along mostly flat roads to seaside villages, markets and active options including equestrian and watersports centres. Local commune Ars-en-Ré has a daily market and harbour to wander around, as well as a miniature golf course and tennis courts. Also take a look at the famed wall town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré (20 minutes' drive), where there are colourful buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, a church with a belltower to climb for first-rate views over the town and out to sea, and 12 kilometres of fortifications that along with 11 other fortified towns around France make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The harbour makes a splendid spot to potter around here, as does that of neighbouring La Flotte. For more beaches, have days at Conche des Baleines and Gros Jonc, 10 and 20 minutes from the site, or head to Grenettes (25 minutes) for surfing and surf lessons.