Camping Le Sous Bois

Bikes are a great way to get about on Oléron, but they’re not the only option. Head up to Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron (15 minutes by bike) to swap your two wheels for horse rides or paddleboarding trips through the scenic salt marshes that surround the town. If it’s not a holiday until you’ve unpacked the golf clubs, head to the other side of the island for a round with a sea-view at Golf Club Oléron (20 minutes’ drive). Island hols inevitably mean seafood suppers should be on the menu – if the idea of fresh lobsters, langoustines and the like get mouths watering, head over to La Cotiniére, a kilometre away. Around the harbour are lots of restaurants serving up the day’s haul, along with boat trips to see if you can catch your own (plus a daily market for when you can’t…) Elsewhere around the island recommended outings include boat trips to ex-military prison Fort Boyard from Boyardville (15 minutes’ drive), riding the waterslides at Iléo waterpark (15 minutes) and learning about the stuff known as ‘white gold’ at Port des Salines salt museum (20 minutes).