Camping Les Dunes

Set between the fishing port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and the seaside town of Les Sables d'Olonne, Les Dunes beach is an utter beaut, made up of a long run of golden sands in the protected ecological area of the Dunes Domaniales de Bretignolles. Surfing and kitesurfing are both popular picks in its waters. Bike rides among this spectacular seaside landscape start from the site: pedal to the traditional market of Bretignolles-sur-Mer, about four kilometres away, or have a shorter run to Brem-sur-Mer, within about two. Looking for a longer run? Make for the local stretch of mammoth La Vélodyssée, the Atlantic cycling route from Roscoff to Hendaye. If you're feeling nicely energetic, seaside town and sardine centre extraordinaire Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is about 15 kilometres away, bikeable (for the fit) in under an hour via the Route de la Corniche. Within the same distance is Les Sables d'Olonne, reachable by bike – or car – along the D87, and a well-known place in the Vendée seaside and family holiday collection for its zoo, sands and lively vibe (and casino if you're on hol sans enfants). From Saint-Gilles, take the ferry for the one-hour crossing to the island of Yeu; about an hour's drive from the site will take you to the ferry point for Noirmoutier.