Our third stay on the Île d’Oléron (previously: 2017, 2015) did include some things new, among them a day trip to the Île d’Aix. It’s an interesting place for a walk or short bike ride but felt a bit too much like we’d not left Paris. Finding some privacy for a picnic was hard and spoiled within a few minutes. Our longest moment of solitude was at the local cemetery.
We also took a day to go Rochefort, on the trail of Les Demoiselles, a movie I watched obsessively some years ago. If you go, highlights are the Royal Rope Factory and the maritime museum. Unfortunately, we missed the Hermione (she was at sea) and the Transporter Bridge (closed for restoration). An usual treat on the road to Rochefort from Île d’Oléron are the power line tower stork nests.
The atmosphere of Saint-Denis d’Oléron feels like it is starting to creep toward that of the more chic Île de Ré, although it will retain its particular charm as long as its working landscape remains in tact. A new highlight for us: the galettes at Sucré Sablé — best galettes we’ve had outside of Nantes.
The Campmobile 