Camping Chardons Bleus

The Île de Ré is well known as a cracking place for cycling, so go exploring as soon as poss from the site on two wheels to see how much of the island's 30-kilometre length and how many of its several paths you can pedal in one go. To La Flotte four kilometres away and Sainte-Marie-de-Ré seven kilometres away are both pleasant pedals if you want to bike to/around markets (much recommended). Sainte-Marie-de-Ré is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the dozen Fortifications of Vauban, the fortifications built by Vauban in the 17th and early 18th century along the French borders. The town has a good amount of stuff to see and do all year round too, from playing tennis at its club or setting out on horseback from its riding centre, to rummaging around its summer garage sales or sinking into a pamper session at the thalassotherapy centre. From town, take the Trail 5 path on a wildlife walk of around eight kilometres out into the surrounding countryside. Water fans can have windsurfing, paddleboarding and kitesurfing a kilometre and a half away at the closest stretch of coast, surfing at popular Grenettes beach four kilometres away, or swimming at the beaches of Notre-Dame, Montamer and La Salée, all within five kilometres.