Camping in Bretignolles-sur-Mer

The towns on the French Atlantic coast are ideal for camping on the beach. After a ride on the waves, you can enjoy a hearty lunch before setting off on a bike tour into the hinterland in the afternoon. Afterwards, take a refreshing dip in the cool water at the campsite with pool. Campers can either prepare the region's delicacies themselves or sample them in the town's first-class restaurants.

Special features of camping in Bretignolles-sur-Mer

The campsites in Bretignolles-sur-Mer are located close to the long stretches of fine sandy coastline and offer an ideal setting for bathers and water sports enthusiasts. There are smaller, simple sites as well as spacious four- and five-star pitches. Self-catering holidaymakers can look forward to the fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and baked goods on offer at the weekly markets in the region or in the small shops on the campsite or in the neighbourhood.

Depending on whether holidaymakers are travelling with a caravan, camper van or just a car, they can rent pitches or book bungalows and mobile homes on some sites. In some cases, there are also special childcare facilities for children during the holidays.

How to get there

There are various routes from Germany to the campsite in Bretignolles-sur-Mer. Depending on your departure point and taste, there are connections via motorways and country roads. As the distances from Hamburg, for example, are around 1,350 km, from Frankfurt am Main 1,030 km and from Munich 1,300 km, many holidaymakers choose the fast routes, even if they involve tolls.

Guests from northern Germany often reach their destination via Liège, Paris and Angers. Holidaymakers from the centre of Germany often choose the route via Metz, Paris and Angers. Alternatively, people from Munich also travel via Stuttgart, Nancy and Paris. When planning their journey, holidaymakers should definitely keep an eye on the holiday periods, when there is increased traffic volume and delays, which should be taken into account.

The journey to Bretignolles-sur-Mer is comparatively long, so an overnight stopover is definitely worthwhile, especially if there are children or dogs on board. France is a camping paradise, which is why you should ideally book a pitch in an idyllic location near the motorway in advance.

Top 5 sights

• Beaumarchais Castle: This imposing building dates back to the 16th century. It was created by Vincent Bouhier de L'Ecluse.
• Dolmen La Pierre Levée de Soubise: The stone table is located on the D38 road between Brem-sur-Mer and Bretignolles-sur-Mer.
• Vendee Miniature Museum: An entire town with a railway station, church, shops and traditional workshops in miniature format fascinates visitors of all ages.
• Dunes Park: The amusement park with slides, giant table football and ball pool is great fun for the whole family
• Beach club: Les Dauphins beach club attracts visitors to the seaside resort of Bretignolles-sur-Mer. Even the low tide can be utilised here - for example for catching crabs.

Top 2 insider tips

• An excellent way to stock up on the freshest food in the region is to take a trip to the city's weekly market. Every Thursday between 7am and 1pm, vendors set up their stalls on the Grand Place and offer their wares. A visit to the market is a great pleasure, especially for self-caterers.
• In the village of Bretignolles-sur-Mer, there are 24 pitches for motorhomes where parking is free during the day. Disposal is also free of charge. Pharmacies, restaurants and shops are nearby, so holidaymakers can enjoy a convenient and affordable stroll in their motorhome.

Activities and excursions

Brétignolles-sur-Mer is located in the French department of Vendée, which is characterised by beautiful nature and stunning beaches. There are also numerous historic towns nearby that are well worth a visit.

Hang loose on the surfing beach

If you're a light sailor, the coast around Bretignolles-sur-Mer offers excellent options to let off steam on a dinghy or catamaran. The French Atlantic coast is also an Eldorado for windsurfers. Many exciting surfing competitions take place here. Off the rocky plateau of La Sauzaie and the sandy beach of the Dunes, there are perfect conditions for surfing. Kitesurfers meet all year round at Plage des Dunes 2.

Hire a bike and off you go

The Vendée department has the largest network of cycle paths in France. Holidaymakers can either use their own mountain or city bike to explore the area or hire a bike. A beautiful 17-kilometre tour, which is also suitable for an excursion with children, leads from the sea into the hinterland to Lac du Jaunay.

Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

This interesting town is located around 13 kilometres north of Bretignolles-sur-Mer. Culture vultures will love the listed Saint-Gilles church from the 14th and 15th centuries as well as the cemetery with ancient gravestones, a historic cross and even a menhir.

events

April

• Surfing competition: The Protest Vendee Pro, which was launched in 1999, pits renowned surfers from all over the world against each other. The competition is one of the first in Europe. It has been part of the qualifying circuit for the World Surfing Championships since 2001. Visitors can cheer on their favourites loudly from the beach during the spectacle and marvel at fast wave rides and breathtaking jumps.

May

• Festival La 7eme Vague: This music event has been taking place in Bretignolles-sur-Mer for around two decades. The numerous bands and artists perform at the Parc des Morinières and the Théâtre de verdure. There is an exuberant atmosphere for two days. Camping is permitted on the site.

August

• Music festival: Rock music at its best at the free Rock'n Beer event, which brings the seaside resort to life every year in August. The atmosphere is cheerful and exuberant, so that not only young fans but also families with children feel at home.
• The neighbouring town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie invites you to a traditional festival in August with a stage programme and delicious regional dishes. Entry to the event is free of charge.

Gastronomy

The salt marsh pastures of the Vendée are a paradise for lamb rearing. The so-called agneau de pré-salé is known for its tender and particularly flavoursome meat.

Other specialities of the French Atlantic coast include scallops, oysters, squid and tuna. Children and adults in the region enjoy moules frites, freshly caught mussels with chips, for lunch. Alternatively, the brasseries also offer small snacks such as filled baguettes or croque monsieur, a baked ham and cheese toast.

Dinner in the restaurants is more extensive and often consists of several courses. After duck, foie gras and fish dishes, cheese and a sweet dessert go down particularly well. The meal is usually accompanied by a wine, for example from the Médoc. A cognac is often served with dessert.

Best time to travel

Even if you are travelling to Bretignolles-sur-Mer in winter, you should hardly expect snowfall. However, frost is not uncommon between mid-December and the end of February. Temperatures rise in spring, regularly exceeding the 15-degree mark in May. These are ideal conditions for cycling tours, hikes and excursions.

The warmest months of the year are July and August, when the thermometer rises to around 22 degrees Celsius. With bright blue skies and sunshine, water sports enthusiasts feel particularly at home in summer. Rain is rarely to be expected. The Atlantic delights with temperatures of up to 19 degrees Celsius in August. Autumn in the region is pleasantly warm, with air temperatures of up to 13 degrees even in November.