Now connected to the mainland by a road bridge, the Ile d'Oleron is the second largest French island after Corsica. A popular day trip destination for those staying on the West Atlantic coast, the Ile d'Oleron boasts unspoilt beaches, lots of space for activities like hiking and cycling and some of the best seafood in the region, if not the whole of France. In the summer, you can also take boat trips across to the island from many of the mainland resorts, such as La Rochelle. These will either drop you off at the island's main town, Saint-Pierre, or just take you on a sightseeing trip around coast.
If you like your beaches unspoilt by tourism or development, then the Ile d'Oleron is definitely the place to set up your sun bed. Home to more than half of the region's Blue Flag beaches, the area is ideal for families too. The east coast has the more sheltered beaches and coves, away from the worst of the Atlantic waves, including Boirie with its pretty collection of painted beach huts. The west coast has the best waves, and is very popular with surfers, especially Vert-Bois and Sables Vignier. If you want to try the sport yourself, there are often summer schools set up to teach the basics. There are a few nudist beaches on the island, either to avoid or look out for, depending on your interests. All are very clearly signposted so there is no confusion.
The quiet roads on the Ile d'Oleron make it ideal for exploring on bicycle, though there is no cycle lane on the bridge which can make the crossing a bit uncomfortable. There are several businesses hiring out bicycles, many with child carriers, in Saint-Pierre. The island is also home to a few equestrian centres, if you want to explore the scenery at a more leisurely pace. The Ile d'Oleron is crossed by a network of hiking paths too, either along the coastline or into the interior. You can even join in a guided walking tour of the Marais des Bris nature reserve by signing up at the tourist office. If you have small children, or just like to take it easy, the island has its own “Petit Train” an open-carriage ride from Saint-Trojan-les-Bains to many of the beaches that you normally can't reach by road.
The beaches between Boyardville and Chateau d'Oleron are muddy rather than sandy and home to oysters instead of tourists. These are the speciality of many of the island's restaurants and are served very fresh, often having just been “picked” that morning. You can also head down to La Cotiniere, the largest fishing port on the island, in mid-afternoon to see that day's fresh fish catch landed, while there is an entire festival dedicated to the island's seafood industry every August, with tastings and cooking demonstrations.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Ile d'Oleron? Then below is a selection of gites in Ile d'Oleron and villas in Ile d'Oleron that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
