Bretignolles sur Mer, Vendee
Contact: camp@justcampingfrance.co.uk
The small resort of Bretignolles sur Mer lies between St. Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to the north and the much larger town of Les Sables d’Olonne to the south. Small it maybe but what it lacks in size it makes up for in other things such as being right on the beach for a start. You certainly don't have to travel far to have a paddle here as there are some camping sites a mere 200 metres away.
Of course, most of the campsites offer mobile home holidays rather than just catering for tent campers and these days the mobiles or static caravans are modern and just superb!
So what does a camping holiday in Bretignolles get you? The honest answer is, "pretty much the same that you'll get at any small resort on the west coast of France. There are miles of sandy beaches and the area is very peaceful, tranquil even, but if you like shopping or rather more in the way of nightlife then you will have to go further afield. Basically, this resort is a great little place for a relaxing holiday.
Places to see in the area
If you take a look at the map you will see that Bretignolles is roughly half way up/down the Vendee coastline, and most of that is served by the D38 road which actually passes through Bretignolles.
Go south and you will see more similar villages until you arrive at les Sables d'Olonne which is the major town in the region. Plenty of shopping here if you feel the need to exercise the plastic, and les Sables also has a superb little Zoo of national repute where birds are free to fly and monkeys will come up to you in the restaurant and steal your buns! They are as cheeky as can be but utterly gorgeous.
Further south again you will get to the last major resort that the Vendee has to offer - la Tranche sur Mer - which is variously described as vibrant and bustling, which in tour operator speak means busy in high season. Yes it does get busy then but so do all the resorts in France, and we (the editor & family) can recommend la Tranche as a clean town with (usually) ample parking. It's nice there.
Travelling north from your base in Bretignolles takes you first to the town of St Gilles Croix de Vie, and St Hilaire de Riez which is virtually joined to it. These two towns are also camping holiday resorts with their own beaches, and shopping here is quite good too.
Carry further on to the north, still on the D38 and you get to the Mecca of the Vendee camping holiday spots in St Jean de Monts. The campsites for mobile homes are mainly situated to the north and south of the town just a short (easy walking) distance from the beach, but if you go into St Jean and make for the main beach there you will find masses of parking right next to the promenade with the beach just opposite.
Finally, getting to Bretignolles sur Mer
The best ports to use when driving to the west coast are Cherbourg, Caen, but best of all is St Malo. From either one of them you head for Rennes initially, skirt the city and pick up signs for Nantes on the N137 dual carriageway. Join the Nantes peripherique (ring road) and follow signs for Bordeaux.
Exit the ring road at junction 48 and head for la Roche sur Yon which you skirt round also. Take the D160 road from la Roche heading for les Sables d'Olonne, and roughly 20 kms further on you turn off to la Mothe-Achard from where Bretignolles is signposted on the D12.
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