Looking for an original vacation, with peace and quiet and nature to enjoy? Oleron Island Away from the tourist hustle and bustle? Here are some ideas for getting off the beaten track and discovering unexpected places, far from the crowds and traditional tours.
Small and large corners of nature to get back to nature
To get off the beaten track, there's nothing better than a walk in the forest. Southwest of Oleron Island, the national forest of Saint-Trojan is the largest – covering an area of 2,000 hectares – so you can walk along the back roads without ever meeting anyone. Located away from the hustle and bustle of Saint-Pierre-d'Oleron, in the heart of the marshes, the Boirie Gardens are also worth a visit. This beautiful green setting, labeled a “Remarkable Garden,” is a calm and peaceful place where you can enjoy a moment out of time, surrounded by blue sage, hostas, yuccas, hibiscus, and banana trees.
A little secret beach for insiders
Looking for a secret beach? Just a stone's throw from the nature reserve Moëze-Oléron, near a picturesque century-old oyster village Still active, Fort Royer Beach is a beach that few people know about. Protected by the dunes, the place offers a place to relax away from the summer hustle and bustle of the big beaches ofOleron, away from the crowds of holidaymakers. But… shh! Keep this secret to yourself!
READ ON THE CAMPING BLOG: The top 6 most beautiful beaches on the island of Oléron
A small market without the crowds of the big days and "refuge addresses" to find that rare object
On the southwest coast of Oleron Island, in Grand-Village-Plage, a small farmers' market is held every day in season (Wednesdays out of season) under the village's 16th-century covered market. A colorful market where it's a pleasure to stroll and fill your basket with excellent regional products, without crowds or queues. Tempted by a shopping trip? If the Cabins of the Creators of the Château d'Oléron are a well-known address for vacationers, other places also deserve more than a quick glance. Linger in the city center of Saint-Pierre d'Oléron, in the heart of the island. The pedestrian streets are home to many shops of all kinds (fashion, decoration, souvenirs, delicatessen, etc.). A special mention to the ceramics boutique-gallery "La Girelle" where everything is handmade and everything is unique!
A stand-up paddleboarding trip to experience adventure in the salt marshes
If you enjoy spending your camping holiday off the beaten track and discovering new sports, then we recommend you try stand-up paddleboarding, a booming sport accessible to all. And what could be more unusual than the atmosphere of the salt marshes of the Île d'Oléron for an adventure? Early in the morning or at sunset, escape to the calm waters of the marsh, in a labyrinth of canals, in the middle of wild nature surrounded by natural meadows. It's an opportunity to discover landscapes normally inaccessible on foot or by bike, but also to take a fresh look at the fauna and flora of the marsh. + info: the traveling school "Salicorne" offers discovery walks and hikes supervised by qualified instructors.
A treasure hunt to trek and explore unexpected places
How about going on a treasure hunt on Oleron Island thanks to geocaching? For those who don't know yet, it's a leisure activity that can be practiced outdoors using a (free) application installed on your smartphone. Boxes called "caches" are hidden in nature, in emblematic places or on the contrary very little frequented, sometimes unknown to tourist guides. A fun and original way to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Oléron with children!