Camping Le Transat

For days of low-key sightseeing, start off in Saint-Georges-d'Oléron (five minutes' drive), where there are plenty of handsome historic buildings and a tourist office to help you get your bearings. The same distance away is Cheray market (five minutes), where you can pick up the freshest fruit and veg. Sticking around on the island? Make sure to visit its capital, Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron (10 minutes), where there's a local history museum plus bars and a riding stable to keep you occupied. An hour away on the mainland is La Palmyre, a scenic seaside spot with a popular zoo, and Royan (an hour), a mid-sized resort with attractions including theme parks, an animal park, golf courses and a casino. This is also where to head to catch the ferry over the Gironde estuary to Le Verdon-sur-Mer and Soulac (an hour and 45 minutes). Had enough of the sea? Make tracks inland towards Saintes (an hour and 10 minutes), a historic town where gorgeous medieval and Roman architecture, performing arts festivals and riverboat cruises up and down the Charente are on offer.