Camping de la Saulaie

Feeling active (but not quite so active as to set out on one of the long-distance options)? Set out for more easily achievable walks in the Bois de Raveau (15 minutes’ drive), Forêt de Bertranges (20 minutes) or the Forêt de Poiseux (half an hour), or hire canoes a few minutes’ walk from the site to paddle as far as you feel able along the river. It’s worth strolling around La Charité-sur-Loire, too – the town’s church and priory are UNESCO-listed, and the historic centre is famed for the booksellers, illustrators and bookbinders squirrelled away among the medieval ramparts. The Loire Valley staples of châteaux and wineries are in plentiful supply around here: for the former, head to Château Grand’Cour, Château des Bordes or Château de Pesselières, all of which are within a 20-minute drive. Follow up by making the 25-minute drive north to the wineries strewn along the river near Sancerre to select a bottle or few to take back for sundowners on site.