From Sainte-Anne beach, which is directly accessible on foot from Camping MAEVA Club Les Préveils, the horizon naturally draws the eye. On clear days, a fine line appears in the distance: the Île de Ré. Sailboats trace white wakes across the blue Atlantic, the wind changes, the light transforms... and the urge to go and see “the other side” becomes almost obvious. Prepare your island getaway from Vendée, This adds a dimension of escapism to your holiday, without disrupting your plans.
Staying in La Tranche-sur-Mer offers a rare strategic advantage. The campsite is located on the coastal route between Les Sables d’Olonne to the north and La Rochelle to the south. In practical terms, this means you can completely change your surroundings in just an hour. In the morning, you can enjoy your coffee under the pine trees; an hour later, you can cross a bridge facing the ocean; in the evening, you can return to the tranquility of the campsite and its heated swimming pool To relax the legs.
Organiser Prepare your island getaway from Vendée requires a little planning, but is perfectly achievable in a day. And it's often this day that gives the trip an adventurous flavour.
Île de Ré: Elegance, Cycling and Atlantic Light
Île de Ré is the most natural escape from Les Préveils. From the campsite, it's about 60 km via La Rochelle, which is a 1 hour 10 minute drive in clear traffic (allow more time during peak hours in high summer). The crossing of the 3-kilometre bridge is already an experience in itself: the view opens up onto the Pertuis Breton, the air changes, and the feeling of entering a different territory sets in.
Once on the island, the best way to explore it is by bike. You can rent them in Rivedoux or Saint-Martin-de-Ré, usually for around €15 to €20 for half a day depending on the season. The island has over 100 km of safe cycle paths, making it ideal for families. A classic loop can take between 3 and 6 hours depending on your pace and stops.
Among the must-sees:
- The Vauban fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a World Heritage site.
- The black and white bell tower of Ars-en-Ré, a true landmark for sailors.
- The salt marshes, where the artisanal harvesting of salt can still be observed in season.
Budget-wise, factor in bike hire, lunch (or a picnic prepared at the campsite), and potentially a cultural visit. The real advantage of Prepare your island getaway from Vendée, it's precisely the ability to enjoy the island during the day... then to find in the evening a accommodation more spacious and often more affordable than accommodation directly on Ré.
The return in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden on the bridge, is often one of the most beautiful memories of the day.
Île d’Oléron and alternatives: a wilder version
If you fancy an even more pronounced change of scenery, the Île d'Oléron is an attractive alternative. From Les Préveils, it's around 100 km, or 1h40 to 1h50 by road depending on traffic. Larger and more varied than the Île de Ré, it seduces with its wild beaches, pine forests, and the colourful port of Château-d'Oléron.
This is an outing to consider when the whole family is ready for a full day of exploration. You can alternate between cycling, walking along the quays, swimming, or simply strolling by the ocean. The atmosphere here is often more raw, more natural.
But Prepare your island getaway from Vendée This does not necessarily mean crossing a bridge. Just a few kilometres away, Vendée ports like L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer (about 12 km) or Jard-sur-Mer already offer a strong maritime atmosphere: dykes, marshes, changing light, oyster huts. These are perfect alternatives if you want to limit the kilometres while keeping the spirit of “vastness and horizon”.
In any case, a few practical tips will make the day more enjoyable:
- Leave early in the morning during peak season to avoid traffic jams towards La Rochelle.
- Bring water and hats: the wind can mask the real heat.
- To prepare a picnic using shops in La Tranche-sur-Mer, to avoid waiting in restaurants that are very busy in the summer.
And then comes the time to return. After pedalling, walking, and exploring, nothing is more pleasant than returning to the campsite. A shower, a dip in the heated pool to relax your legs, a simple dinner on the terrace, and the sweetness of an evening that ends in peace and quiet (entertainment finishes no later than 11:30 pm).
Why is Les Préveils well placed to do this?
Our location is exceptional: Camping Les Préveils is geographically positioned Just opposite Île de Ré. On clear days, you can even make out the Charente coast from our direct access to Sainte-Anne Beach.
Situated on the strategic coastal road between La Rochelle (departure point for Ré and Oléron) and the major sites of Vendée, you benefit from the best base to explore these Atlantic jewels while enjoying the prices and space of Vendée. Escape to the islands and return with incredible memories of the light and marine landscapes.
Photo Credits: OT IOMN S.Breffy and Rolland Oziel
