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A Premium tour along the French Atlantic coast from Bénodet to Arcachon
Join us on this 21-day tour, the itinerary of which has been carefully planned to indulge guests. You will be introduced to some of the most beautiful areas of France’s Atlantic Coast whilst enjoying a balanced mix of organised excursions, free time and social events of lunches, dinners and get-togethers.
Our Atlantic Adventure begins in the charming seaside town of Benodet in Southern Brittany. Situated at the mouth of the Odet, one of the most beautiful rivers in France, the town is famed for its beautiful beaches and cuisine and the nearby ‘Îles de Glénan’, an archipelago of islands located approximately 10 miles off the coast.
Leaving Benodet we head south along the coast to the city of Nantes. Located on the Loire River, Nantes has a long history as a port and there is time for you to visit many of its attractions. From Nantes, we continue our journey south to the famous and unique ‘Puy du Fou’ entertainment park – prepare to be amazed at what is on offer here. Continuing along the coast our next destination is to the beautiful Île de Re’, famous for its pine forest, dunes and pretty harbour villages. As well as its many attractions the island offers fantastic cycling and walking opportunities.
Our next visit is to the Côte Sauvage, l’Île d’Ole’ron and Marennes Basin regions. The whole area being famous for both its Oysters and the regional French aperitif Pineau des Charentes why not try some. For the final destination of our adventure we arrive in the Bay of Arcachon. ‘Le Bassin’ as it is affectionately known locally, covers an area of 150 km² and is a place of extraordinary beauty renowned for its seafood and wildlife and the Dune du Pyla – at 500m wide, 3km long and 107m high it is the tallest sand dune in Europe, offering amazing views across the whole of the Bay of Arcachon.
Day One – Thursday 14th June
Arrive in the charming seaside resort of Benodet in Southern Brittany for the start of the tour. Your well-equipped campsite is located close to both the town centre and the beach. This evening the Tour Directors will host a Welcome Reception at their pitch.
Day Two – Friday 15th June
This morning we will take a tour of the town on the Little Tourist Train. This will enable you to orientate yourself and ensure that you make the most of your free time throughout the rest of the day. This evening we will all meet for dinner in the campsite restaurant.
Day Three – Saturday 16th June
No need for an early start this morning. Later, we will take a gentle stroll to the port where we will board our boat for a “Croisière Gourmande” (Gourmet Lunch Cruise) along the stunning Odet river which is renowned for its flora and fauna.
Day Four – Sunday 17th June
Free day – Now that you have had the chance to get to know your surroundings you may wish to take the ‘P’tit Bac’, little ferry boat across the Odet to the charming fishing port of Sainte Marine where you will be able to immerse yourself in the history of the village. As an alternative you could take a cruise on a Glass Bottomed Boat out to the Glenan Islands -the options are numerous.
Day Five – Monday 18th June
Today we travel south along the Atlantic Coast to Nantes. Our campsite has excellent facilities and is located adjacent to the tram line which affords easy travel to and around the city. 142 miles
Day Six – Tuesday 19th June
Free Time Today. You will be issued with a 48 hour “Nantes Travel Pass” which entitles you to unlimited use of the public transport system (trams, buses, tour bus, little train) to explore this fascinating city. For those interested the tour directors will lead a group into town this morning – this will familiarise you with the use of the transport system and the layout of the city. In addition to the public transport you could follow the Green Line walking trail and discover a city of beauty and interest. This evening we will have a group dinner in the campsite restaurant.
Day Seven – Wednesday 20th June
Free Day. Use your Travel Pass to explore more of the city and its attractions. Visit “Les Machines De L’Île” and take a ride on the enormous “Mechanical Elephant” before exploring other exhibitions. This afternoon you could take a river trip included in your travel pass.
Day Eight – Thursday 21st June
This morning our destination is the famous “Puy du Fou”: a rural theme park without any rides. Started in 1978 as an open-air amateur dramatics night, it has developed into one of France’s biggest success stories and its second most-visited park after Disneyland Paris. We will spend the next two nights perfectly located to enjoy the park from its own Camping Aire, where facilities will be limited to toilets and waste disposal. You will be issued with a 48-hour pass for the park and this afternoon and evening you will be free to take in as many shows as possible. 39 miles
Day Nine – Friday 22nd June
Return to the park today in your own time and enjoy more of the spectacular events. We will meet this evening for a drink before making our way to the final show of the evening “LA CINÉSCÉNIE’, billed as being the biggest light show in the world. After a long day it is just a short walk back to our vans for a good night’s sleep.
Day Ten – Saturday 23rd June
Not far to travel today as we make our way to the “île de Ré” where we will stay for three nights. This evening no need to cook as we enjoy a group restaurant meal. 76 miles
Day Eleven – Sunday 24th June
Today we will have an excursion to La Rochelle where we will have a guided tour of the town including the bustling market area before taking lunch in a local restaurant. Following lunch, we visit the Maritime Museum before returning at the end of the afternoon to our campsite.
Day Twelve – Monday 25th June
A Free Day which we start with a leisurely continental Group Breakfast of French bread, Croissants and Coffee at the Tour Directors pitch. After breakfast, you will be free to explore the local area or just relax around the campsite – it is Sunday after all.
Day Thirteen – Tuesday 26th June
Leaving the “île de Ré” this morning we continue our journey south along the coast to the “Côte Sauvage” area and our campsite located on the outskirts of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. The journey today is quite short so you will have good time to stop off at some of the many interesting places on route – the area is famous for its Oyster Beds. This evening we will meet for a group dinner in the campsite restaurant. 59 miles
Day Fourteen – Wednesday 27th June
Our excursion is to Rochefort today where we visit the Corderie Royale to discover the art of rope-making and all things nautical at the ‘International Sea Centre’ before taking lunch in the museum restaurant. After lunch, we visit the Hermione – the largest replica of a traditional 17th century French warship.
Day Fifteen – Thursday 28th June
We have a Free Day today. You could relax on-site and spend some time in the excellent swimming pool, take a walk through the nearby marshes or stroll through the forest to the beach – the possibilities are endless. This evening we will meet at the restaurant for a Sea Food and Pineau Tasting.
Day Sixteen – Friday 29th June
Another excursion today, this time to the beautifully restored Chateau de Crazannes. We will explore its lovely gardens, the Roman chapel, the moat and the keep before taking lunch in the Chateau itself. In the afternoon we will visit the unusual and mysterious stone quarries of Crazannes from where the stone was used to build the famous Fort Boyard.
Day Seventeen – Saturday 30th June
Today we travel to our final campsite of the tour at Ares, located in the north of the Bay of Arcachon. 80 miles
Day Eighteen – Sunday 1st July
We have a Boat Excursion today around the famous “l’Île Aux Oiseaux” (Bird Island) which is located in the Bay of Arcachon and is a haven for migratory birds and sea lions and is famous for its “Tchanquées Cabanes” – lodges built on stilts. Having sailed over 100 hectares of Oyster Beds we arrive at one of the tiny oyster villages of the Cap Ferret peninsula for lunch in a local restaurant. On our return journey you will see the amazing spectacle of the Dune de Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe.
Day Nineteen – Monday 2nd July
It’s Sunday so a leisurely start to the day – we will meet on the campsite terrace for morning coffee and pastries with the remainder of the day free to relax.
Day Twenty – Tuesday 3rd July
Today we will be taken into Arcachon where we will meet our guide, before embarking on a guided tour of this fascinating town. After our tour of the town we will continue our journey to the famous Dune de Pilat, where after seeing it from the sea two days ago if you have the inclination you will have time to climb to the top and enjoy the amazing views out over the bay. After our visit to the dune we return you to Arcachon where there will be free time for lunch and/or sightseeing before returning to the campsite later in the afternoon.
Day Twenty-one – Wednesday 4th July
It is the final day of our tour, it has been left free to afford you time to relax. Later we have a Farewell Evening including dinner with wine in the Campsite Restaurant.
Day Twenty-two – Thursday 5th July
The tour ends this morning. You may choose to travel on further or if our Tour Directors are returning to the UK travel back with them at your own expense along a route of their choosing.
PRICE TOUR DEPOSIT £000
Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 19 Campsite nights with electric hook-up
- 2 camping nights on Aire without electric
- Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors throughout the tour travelling in their own motorhome
Excursions, Events and Meals
- Welcome Reception
- Tour of Benodet on Little Tourist Train
- Campsite restaurant Dinner
- Boat Cruise on the Odet river, including Lunch
- 48hr Transport Tickets to the City of Nantes and “Las Machines De L’île”
- Two Day Pass to ‘Puy du Fou’
- ‘Puy du Fou’ drink and late evening show
- Île de Re’ restaurant dinner
- Coach Excursion to La Rochelle, including Lunch
- Entry to the Maritime Museum
- Tour Director’s Group Breakfast
- Campsite restaurant Dinner
- Excursion to Rochefort
- Entry & Guided Visit to Corderie Royale
- Corderie Royale – Lunch
- Campsite restaurant Dinner
- Coach Excursion to the Chateau de Crazannes
- Entry to Chateau de Crazannes
- Chateau de Crazannes – Lunch
- Coffee and cakes morning
- Boat Excursion to “l’Île Aux Oiseaux” and Cap Ferret, including Lunch
- Excursion to Arcachon Bay area including the Dune de Pilat
- Farewell Evening Dinner with wine
This tour starts in Benodet, Brittany, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey with the Tour Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf
OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE
- Service of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
- Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
- 3 x additional Campsite Nights starting in Kent on Monday 11th June 2018 followed by 2 x France
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000