A 10-Day Campervan Journey to Île de Ré

By Ryan, Operations Manager at Campervantastic

Working as Operations Manager at Campervantastic, I spend a lot of my time helping others plan their perfect campervan adventures. Obviously, I also get insanely jealous every time I hand over a set of keys, now and again though, I do get the time to get out on the road myself. In April, my partner Kat and I did exactly that, setting off on a 10-day trip from London to the beautiful Île de Ré in a Grand California 680 borrowed from our fleet of top of the range VW Californias. 

This wasn’t about ticking off miles as quickly as possible, we’ve done this before on trips to Germany and Spain and worn ourselves out with long days on the motorway. It was about slowing things down, enjoying the journey and finding those unexpected spots that often become the highlight of a trip. 

We left London after work on a Friday, heading down to Newhaven to catch the late 11pm crossing to Dieppe with DFDS*. Booking a cabin is a must - it meant we could get some sleep overnight, although the early alarm call letting us know of our imminent arrival into Dieppe harbour was still a shock.

Disembarking the ferry at Dieppe at around 5am, we were straight on the road with virtually no traffic, making for an incredibly smooth drive south. We cruised down the empty motorways, stopping briefly at a péage service area for a quick nap, which felt completely safe and easy in the campervan, before continuing on and arriving in Le Mans just in time for a relaxed lunch. It turned what could have been a long travel day into a really efficient and enjoyable start to the trip. A quick blast on the Circuit de la Sarthe on the way out of Le Man is customary, but it didn't quite feel as exciting as i thought it would be in a nearly 4 ton campervan!

Rather than rushing straight to the coast, we decided to break up the journey which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. Just outside Angers, we pulled up the Park4night app, and found a spot by the river with 5 stars and some great comments.  After setting up the campervan we found a small chain ferry running from the mainland across to a tiny island nearby. Naturally, we had to check it out. Once across, we discovered a brilliant, laid-back bar with a real local feel - the kind of place you’d never find unless you stumbled upon it. Cold drinks, a great atmosphere and a view across the river made it the perfect evening spot. We ended up staying two nights instead of one, which says everything and it meant a few quid saved on campsites on the way.

From there, we continued on towards Île de Ré, crossing the bridge onto the island and immediately noticing the shift in pace. Even in April, you can tell this is somewhere special. The roads were quiet, there was barely any traffic and it felt like we had the place almost to ourselves. Compared to other French destinations, it’s noticeably more relaxed - less crowded, less commercial and ideal for exploring at your own speed. 

We based ourselves at Amis de la Plage campsite for five nights, from Monday through to Saturday. It’s a great campsite, particularly if you want a balance of comfort and location. With direct beach access, a really good pool and easy cycling distance into the main town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, it ticked all the boxes for us. 

Cycling ended up being a huge part of the trip. I was training for a London to Paris bike ride at the time, so getting some miles in was a priority for me (meanwhile Kat had some great Beach days!). Even if you’re not training, Île de Ré is one of the best places I’ve cycled. The island is covered in dedicated bike paths, the terrain is flat and you can comfortably ride between villages, beaches and markets without ever needing the van. 

Markets were another standout for us. Every village seemed to have its own, filled with fresh seafood, local produce, cheeses and plenty of options for stocking up the van. One of our favourite evenings was keeping things simple: picking up fresh ingredients during the day and cooking a BBQ back at the campsite. We took a Cadac Carri Chef, gas powered, perfect for camping. We also made a point of exploring beyond the main towns. Saint-Martin-de-Ré is beautiful and definitely worth visiting, but some of the smaller villages felt even more special. We particularly enjoyed Loix, it was quiet, full of character and slightly off the main tourist trail, it’s exactly the kind of place that makes you slow down and stay a little longer than planned. 

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was a sunset boat cruise from La Flotte. There’s something about being out on the water as the sun drops that just rounds off a day perfectly. It’s one of those simple experiences, but it ended up being a really memorable evening for both of us. 

In terms of practicality, Île de Ré is incredibly campervan-friendly. There are plenty of well-equipped campsites, and we also noticed several free or low-cost park-ups around the island if you prefer a more flexible approach. It’s an easy destination to navigate, and you never feel like you’re struggling to find somewhere to stop. 

Timing-wise, April worked really well for us. It was quiet, easy to get around and felt far more relaxed than peak season. We did get a bit of wind at the start of the week, but nothing that affected the trip overall. From what we’ve heard, July and August can get very busy - so if you prefer a calmer experience, the shoulder seasons are definitely worth considering. 

Our 2-day drive back up to Dieppe was easily broken up with a visit to a Vineyard and a Château in the Liore Valley.  We chose Château de Villandry, for a walk around their Renaissance-style gardens, which also had an official Aire just outside and then a tour of Clos-des-cordeliers Vineyard with some essential red and white wine purchases. If you are a member of France Passion they will also let you stay the night in your campervan amongst the vines.

One final tip from the journey home: if you’re planning to stock up on supplies before heading back to the UK, don’t leave it until Sunday. Most hypermarkets in France are closed, which caught us slightly off guard. A quick Saturday shop for wine and essentials is definitely the way to go. 

Trips like this are exactly why we’re so passionate about campervan travel at Campervantastic. It’s not just about the destination - it’s about the freedom to explore, to change plans, and to discover places you’d never find otherwise. 

If you’ve been thinking about taking a campervan trip to France, this route is a brilliant place to start. With an easy crossing via DFDS, a mix of memorable stopovers and a destination like Île de Ré waiting at the end of it, it’s hard to go wrong.

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