Anyone camped on Ile de Re? Western Loire? Marais poidevin?

[luciadilammermoor]

We have a belltent (natch), aiming to go late July, early August time. There are 5 of us, including DD1 (7), DD2 (5) and DS (2). We were thinking of taking all the bikes to have a 1950s-stylee jolly hols on the Ile de Re and around.

Anyone got any recommendations for campsites? I do like a large emplacement/hedges/shade/close access to beaches/swimming pool on site so anything with those would be marvellous.

Any ideas or must-do's? Am going to be soo much more organised than last year's last-minute fiasco.

Went there years ago so I'm no help on the sites, but remembering it being small enough to get everywhere easily so location not an issue
Happy memories

We loved the Ile de Re last summer, in first week of August. Stayed at La Grainetiere near La Flotte which we thought was lovely. Quite a small site compared to many, but still quite a small pitch for our massive tent. Cleanest, and nicest pool I think I have ever seen on a campsite. Good breakfasts available on site, and fine pizza in evening. A small amount of relatively chilled out entertainment. Hoping to return this summer. Bikes absolutely essential for getting around, but available for hire, also with small person trailers to hire for the really little ones. You can book these in advance from various places on the island, but also from the campsite I think. You will love it.

thanks, La Grainetiere looks lovely and small sites can be nicer sometimes. How small were the pitches? Our belltent is a 5m one so we need a reasonably-sized pitch.

I do think the island looks fantastic for children, so laid back and small distances to travel. They'll love it.

We booked online for La Grainetiere (I would definitely do this again - I think it was booked solid the whole time we were there), and I think when we booked we had to say what the dimensions of the tent were (ours is a pretty huge 4bedroom monstrosity - until I can persuade the rest of the family that we need a bell tent!). There were some larger pitches, but they obviously tried to make sure there was space for everyone. Although there wasn't a lot of space for most pitches, the area we were in was basically arranged along the campsite track which wound through, so they never felt too crowded. A bit hard to explain.
Lovely feeling site though. Some road noise, and a bit of a pain crossing the main road into la flotte, but once this was done an easy stroll into the village. St Martin also fab, with great beaches on both sides of the island. Absolutely ace for a family holiday.