The South West of France



Campsites:

Royan, Aquatique Club Camping la Pinede
Lacanau Ocean, Airotel de l'Ocean

Travelling further south from the channel ports, most families will have an en-route hotel stop unless flying. As a result, this area is still relatively ‘undiscovered’.
Surfing is the main water sport throughout the region, particularly in the Lacanau area but also cycling too, with a massive network of cycling tracks to explore.


Things to do in the South

There are large sweeps of pine forests in both the Charente Maritime and Aquitaine regions. You will also be close enough to take a trip inland into the Dordogne to see some of the ancient villages perched high in the hills amidst staggering scenery. You will not travel far without seeing acre after acre of vineyards.

Food

There’s a wide range of good traditional French cooking at reasonable prices throughout the region. Bordeaux reds and whites are the prime wines of the Lacanau region.
Regional dishes in the South West area have a Spanish/Catalan influence. The paellas and cassoulets are delicious.


Highlights

Pineau and Cognac are produced in the southern area in Charente, and both Hennessey and Martell organise tours round their distilleries at Cognac. A visit to the city of Bordeaux is a ‘must’. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Getting to the South

More and more people are flying to our more southerly resorts as there are convenient airports located close to all of our campsites. However, Calais is still the most popular ferry route for those wishing to drive.