With a mild climate and sunshine hours rivalling the south of France, Charente-Maritime on the Atlantic coast comes without the crowds or the costs of the Med – especially if you make the most of its choice of campsites, ranging from the small and low-key to the large, with facilities including swimming pools, spas, kids' clubs and restaurants.
Among the great locations for camping are the lovely islands of Ré, Oléron and Aix and the long sandy beaches around La Rochelle, Marennes, Fouras, and Royan. These beaches are fabulous spots for watersports and sand sports, but there's plenty more to do on the Charente-Maritime coast: cycling is especially popular on the islands, and there's great mountain-biking, horse riding, tennis and walking. In summer, most resorts host special events.
The gateway to the region, with direct flights from the UK to its tiny airport as well as TGV connections, is La Rochelle with its superb aquarium, great fish restaurants (don't miss A Côté de Chez Fred on rue St Nicolas), a little gem of a sandy beach with lots of entertainment for kids in high summer, and its cobbled pedestrianised streets and squares.
Just to the south of La Rochelle is family-friendly Châtelaillon-Plage. Less well known, it is a good place for a low-key seaside holiday, with a great seafront for eating.
The town of Royan is ideal for families seeking child-friendly beaches and also anyone who requires something more tranquil with the hidden gem of the Côte Sauvage offering a relaxing environment even in midsummer.
Towards the south of the region, belle époque La Palmyre les Mathes is well known for its watersports, sand-yachting and zoo, all within the enviable setting of a vast pine forest. Its Bonne Anse bay is brilliant for sailing, kayaking and sand-yachting, whether you're a beginner or an expert.
Oléron, the largest French island off the Atlantic coast, boasts Blue Flag beaches, rich and diverse fauna and flora, maritime monuments and unique architecture including the Moulin des Loges windmill. It is an excellent place to visit for hikers, ramblers and cyclists who can rent bikes on the island.
To find out more about this area, visit gotofrancenow.com/seaside-lifestyle/heart-of-the-atlantic
Holiday offer
Seven-night self-catering family holiday in a one-bedroom apartment in Biarritz, from £1499 per family (two adults and two children under 12). Visit crestaholidays.co.uk/atout-france/atlantic-coast
