Camping le Sous Bois ***

With our 4- and 8-year-old children

Camping Le Sous-Bois: ideal for family holidays in the heart of Île d’Oléron

• A family-friendly campsite on Île d’Oléron, set in a wooded natural environment close to the Atlantic beaches.
• A peaceful, tree-lined site, ideal for a relaxing family holiday just a stone’s throw from the ocean.
• Comfortable accommodation with terraces and mobile homes available with private spas for a relaxing stay.
• Bike rental available on site to easily explore the island’s 160 km of cycle paths.
• Ideal location for discovering the island’s iconic sites: Port de la Cotinière, Chassiron Lighthouse and trips to Fort Boyard.

Arrival at the campsite and first impressions

We were on a ten-day family holiday on Île d’Oléron and chose to stay at Camping Le Sous-Bois with our children, aged 4 and 8. We had booked an ‘Atlantique Spa’ mobile home with a private hot tub and two bedrooms. The accommodation was set in a very wooded area, sheltered from the sun, in the heart of a peaceful woodland, perfect for immediately feeling on holiday.

We were looking for a quiet campsite, close to the sea and the beach, to enjoy simple moments with the family. The campsite is located about 200 metres from the sea, in a very pleasant natural setting.

Every morning, we would order our bread and pastries the night before for the following day. The campsite also has a small shop selling local produce and specialities from the Île d’Oléron, perfect for preparing an aperitif or a quiet dinner on the terrace.

We chose this campsite partly because of its proximity to La Cotinière harbour, just 1.3 km away. This charming fishing harbour is a must-see on the island. We loved strolling around, watching the boats come in and soaking up the lively atmosphere of the little bars and restaurants around the harbour.

We hadn’t brought our bikes, but the campsite offers hire of standard or electric bikes, with baby seats or trailers. We hired some for two days to explore the 160 km of cycle paths on the Île d’Oléron. Thanks to advice from reception, we found several easy rides, suitable for our son who was cycling on his own for the first time.

The children really enjoyed the campsite’s playgrounds, located near the pétanque court and the multi-sports pitch. Whilst our eldest was playing with other children, we were able to enjoy a quiet game of pétanque.

Our children also loved the morning spent with the ponies: these activities with the animals remain unforgettable memories for us and help strengthen family bonds.

Several times a week, we were also able to order our meals on site from the food truck set up on the campsite for the evening. We enjoyed the traditional mussels and chips, as well as tapas, Breton galettes, snacks and crêpes or waffles for dessert.

In the centre of the campsite is a communal barbecue area, which quickly became one of our favourite spots during our stay. On several evenings, we cooked up a barbecue there whilst meeting other families. The children played together whilst the parents shared a drink in a very friendly atmosphere.

We also appreciated some of the campsite’s very handy everyday facilities. For example, we were able to do our laundry at the campsite’s self-service launderette, which is located near the sanitary block. To travel lighter, we also hired bed linen and towels directly from the campsite.

To avoid using the car, we also used the island’s free shuttle bus, which has a stop right outside the campsite. It allowed us to visit several places, including the famous Chassiron lighthouse at the northern tip of the island.

We also made the most of the local markets, particularly the one in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, a large covered market open almost every day, perfect for buying fresh produce and local specialities.

Thanks to the bike hire available directly at the campsite, we were able to easily explore the island’s many cycle paths. These rides allowed us to discover the natural landscapes, villages and fishing ports typical of Île d’Oléron.

The Port de la Cotinière remains one of the most pleasant places to stroll, watch the boats and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the restaurants and terraces.

We also took the time to visit the Chassiron lighthouse and explore the Citadel of Château-d’Oléron, two iconic sites of the island’s maritime heritage.

Simple moments at the campsite

The campsite offers a calm and friendly atmosphere, ideal for families. The children enjoyed the playgrounds, the multi-sports pitch and the animal activities.

The communal barbecue area became a real meeting place for holidaymakers, where everyone shared a meal and enjoyed each other’s company.

The yurt, with its reading area and board games, also offers a pleasant place to sit back and relax. It is also a venue where certain sporting events are shown, allowing guests to follow the Tour de France or other competitions during their holidays.

Our stay at Camping Le Sous-Bois will always remain a truly peaceful and nature-filled experience for us.

Between bike rides, local markets, boat trips and convivial evenings around the barbecue, we enjoyed a simple and relaxing holiday in an unspoilt natural setting.

A family-friendly campsite where everyone can enjoy the ocean, nature and the maritime heritage of Île d’Oléron at their own pace.

Anonymised interview, conducted by the editorial team at Camping Direct following a stay in an Atlantique Spa mobile home at Camping Le Sous-Bois.