Camping les Dunes****
The small resort of Bretignolles lies between St. Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and the town of Les Sables d’Olonne.
Camping les Dunes is a large sandy campsite, which is located just behind a typical Vendeen beach, backed by sand dunes.
There is direct access to the beach from the campsite with no roads to cross.
The campsite facilities are excellent. At its centre, the campsite has its very own shopping square, with a well stocked supermarket, bar, restaurant, table tennis room, television room and cooked meal service.
There are also excellent tennis and volleyball courts and an onsite animateur who organises various daytime activities for both adults and children during July and August. Throughout this time various evening entertainments are organised on the campsite, which can range from folk dancing to a family disco!
Camping les Dunes is a great campsite to choose if you want to forget the car on holiday, as everything you and your family may need is available within a short walk.
The Bar, Restaurant and Take Away meals service are open from the beginning of May until the 5th September.
The Supermarket is open from the 1st May until the 5th September and sells all the day to day produce that you will need, including newspapers (English ones as well but usually one day late!), fresh fruit & vegetables, dairy produce, meat, etc.
The campsite has its own launderette, with washing machines, drying machines, iron and ironing board. The charge is 4€ per washing machine load, 4€ for the dryer and the use of the irons is free.
Bike hire is organised on the campsite. Rentals can be for a half-day, for the day or for the week and there are cycle paths directly from the campsite. From there you can cycle along the coast, meander inland, or venture off into the pine forests. The following website link will take you to a very informative map which shows some interesting cycle trips to take. Unfortunately this is only in French at the present time, but you will be able to follow it in conjunction with a map. Have a look at: pistes-cyclables.vendee.fr
Translation Aid: The Blue routes are by the sea, the Green routes are in the Marais Poitevin (an area of interlinking canals that were used by farmers to transport goods and live stock), the Red routes are in the country. The Thick red lines are: purpose made cycle tracks. Broken red lines: Cycle track beside the road, separated from it by a low hedge or low barrier. Red circles: Cycle lane on the road, marked out on the right hand side. Broken dark blue lines: cycle tracks to be constructed.
The main campsite reception has brochures, leaflets and information on a wide range of local places of interest to visit and most of these will be in English and French. There are also Coach Tours that you can take to see interesting tourist highlights, such as the Venice Vert, the Isle de Re, etc., and the Reception Office will be able to give you full information.
The Campsite has a small library, where you can borrow books in English, as well as French and Dutch.
Internet. There are two points for Internet access in the Site Reception Office and there is an hourly charge of 5€. The Wifi access area is by the bar and restaurant and that is free.
Swimming Pool Complex:
Two outside heated swimming pools with waterslides. A large indoor heated swimming pool with jacuzzi, ‘rapides’ water slide, and a paddling pool for the children.
Activities for all the family:
A tennis court (5€ per hour July/August), petanque pitch, multi sports pitch, table tennis, TV room, children’s play area and crazy golf (2€ per person July/August).
During July & August, the campsite has an activities team that arranges a varied programme of activities such as
- Aquagym
- Stretching
- Tournaments (football, tennis, water-polo, basket ball, etc)
- Games
A Mini-club for children between 4 to 12 years old is run in July and August
This operates every day (except Saturday) 2 hours in the morning usually 10:00 – 12:00 and 2 hours in the late afternoon – usually 16:00 to 18:00. Children take part in various activities (painting, games, face painting, treasure hunts, etc ...)
-There is a program of Entertainments in the evenings during July & August - every day (except Saturday) such as live music, karaoké, theme evenings, disco, cabaret acts, etc ...
