Camping
Choose a camping ground by the sea or river, nestled in forest or surrounded by fields.
Camping is a very popular form of holiday accommodation on France’s Atlantic coast and there are campsites and places to park caravans and campervans along the coast – you can even find campsites by many of the coast’s big attractions.
In summer if the French are not by the coast, chances are they’re travelling around the countryside in their camper or caravan. This means that you’re never very far from a campsite, although many will only be open from April-October. Campsites are graded into four categories. Those that have one and two stars are generally very basic with toilets and showers although the latter won’t always have hot water.
At the other end of the scale are the four star sites which are almost as good as hotels with not just hot water but also electricity plus a swimming pool, shops and lots of activities. Many of these will have permanent caravans on site which people rent for a week or two at a time.
For assured quality, look out for a site that has been designated Camping Qualité – there are 68 such sites in the Poitou-Charentes.
The French Atlantic coastline lends itself to campsites and outdoor living; there’s a great climate, lots of wonderful beaches, superb scenery and a French holiday culture that is geared up for the camping lifestyle. It’s also a great chance to meet other holidaymakers from across France and other parts of Europe too. The French just love their camping! (These also means the supermarkets are well-equipped for people who like barbecues and the outdoor life …)