Private driver from Bordeaux to Camping Sandaya Interlude in Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré

Camping Sandaya Interlude is located at 8 Route de Gros Jonc, in Bois-Plage-en-Ré, 50 meters from the beach. Its central location on Île de Ré makes it easy to reach Saint-Martin and La Flotte to the east, and Ars and the Baleines Lighthouse to the west. Bordeaux is 205 km away, or a 2-hour, 22-minute drive according to commercial estimates.

The Île de Ré, “Ré la Blanche”

Since 1988, Île de Ré has been connected to the mainland by a bridge nearly three kilometers long, off the coast of La Rochelle. The island offers a microcosm of the Atlantic: about ten villages with white houses and green shutters, two of which are listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France (La Flotte and Ars-en-Ré), the Vauban citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Les Baleines lighthouse at the western tip, salt marshes where fleur de sel is still harvested, oyster beds, a vineyard, and 138 kilometers of bike paths that make the island a cyclist’s paradise, with almost no cars. Flat, sunny, and unspoiled (much of it is protected), the island is perfect for family vacations—and the campground in Bois-Plage is right in the heart of it all, halfway between all its treasures.

Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, the wine-growing capital

Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré is a village on the island’s southern coast (population approximately 2,125), famous for being the wine-growing heart of Ré: This is where the UNIRÉ cooperative (“Les Vignerons de l’Île de Ré”) is based, bringing together the island’s winemakers to produce wines, Pineau des Charentes, Cognac, and even a local sparkling wine, the “Trousse Chemise.” The village boasts about five kilometers of fine sandy beaches (Les Gollandières, Le Gros-Jonc), a vast pine forest behind the dunes, and the island’s largest seasonal covered market, open daily during the season. It’s far from the hustle and bustle, yet just a short bike ride from everything: lifeguard-patrolled beaches, historic villages, marshes, and oyster beds. Camping Sandaya Interlude, located 50 meters from Gros Jonc Beach, makes it the ideal base.

From the campground, you can go swimming at Gros Jonc Beach, just 50 meters away, explore the island on its 138 km of bike paths, visit Saint-Martin-de-Ré and its Vauban ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, climb to the Baleines Lighthouse, explore the salt marshes and taste oysters straight from the producer, and stroll through the markets in Bois-Plage, La Flotte, and Saint-Martin. Here, in practical terms, are the real, tried-and-true activities for a stay on Île de Ré: the campground is ideally located in the center of the island, halfway to all its treasures, and most places are accessible by bike. Beach in the morning, village and market at noon, salt marshes or the lighthouse in the afternoon: the recipe for a perfect summer on Île de Ré, almost entirely without a car.

• Gros Jonc Beach—50 m from the campground, ~3 km of fine sand bordered by dunes and pine trees, Blue Flag certified, lifeguarded in the summer, two sailing schools
• Exploring the Island by Bike — 138 km of flat bike paths connecting the ten villages, winding through vineyards, marshes, and ports (bike rentals available at the campground)
• Saint-Martin-de-Ré — the citadel and Vauban’s ramparts, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008; the harbor; and the donkeys in breeches at Barbette Park
• The Baleines Lighthouse—at the western tip (Saint-Clément): 257 steps, ~57 m, 360° view of the ocean and the marshes
• Salt marshes — salt harvesters collecting fleur de sel; the Salt Marsh Ecomuseum in Loix (guided tour)
• Oysters from Ré — tasting at the producer’s oyster huts (Loix, La Flotte, Ars, La Couarde…), generally from April through November
• The markets — the large covered market in Bois-Plage (open daily during the season), La Flotte (a medieval-style market), and Saint-Martin

Cycling Around the Island, from One Village to the Next

On Île de Ré, cycling reigns supreme: the Community of Communes boasts 138 kilometers of flat, mostly paved bike paths connecting the ten villages through vineyards, salt marshes, ports, and pine forests. From the campground, in the center of the island, you can head in either direction: east toward La Flotte and Saint-Martin-de-Ré; west toward Ars-en-Ré, the salt marshes, and the Baleines Lighthouse. You can rent bikes on-site, including child seats and trailers. This is the true way to experience the island—without a car, at the pace of the wind and the scents of pine and salt. The distances are manageable (Le Bois-Plage is about 7 km from Saint-Martin, a 20-minute bike ride), and along the paths you’ll come across salt workers’ huts, oyster beds, and small, secluded beaches. A map of the trails is available throughout the island.

Beaches, Markets, and Flavors

Gros Jonc Beach, right across from the campground, is the most popular beach in Bois-Plage: about three kilometers of fine sand, bordered by protected dunes and pine trees, Blue Flag certified, lifeguarded in July and August, with beach chairs (tiralos) at the lifeguard station. The neighboring Gollandières Beach adds a beginner’s pool and accessible facilities. When it comes to food, the large covered market in Bois-Plage—the island’s largest seasonal market—is held daily during the season (8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.): oysters, fish, fresh produce, cheeses, pastries, and the famous Île de Ré AOP potatoes. Round out the experience with an oyster tasting at an oyster shack (those from Loix are renowned—La Cabane du Grouin won a gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris in 2026) and a glass of the island’s wine. The market, the beaches, and the huts: three ways to experience Île de Ré, just a few minutes from the campground.

Beyond its beaches and villages, Île de Ré is a land of local flavors: salt from the marshes, oysters from the oyster beds, wine from the vineyards—and a unique tradition: donkeys in breeches. You can explore it all by bike or on a short drive from the campground, and savor it right there. This is what gives Île de Ré its gourmet and rustic spirit—something you won’t want to miss during your stay.

Salt and Fleur de Sel

The salt marshes occupy the northern and western parts of the island, around Loix, Ars, and Saint-Martin. For centuries, the salt workers They harvest the [...], by hand, coarse salt and the fleur de sel, that thin white crust that forms on the surface of evaporation ponds on sunny days. There were more than a thousand of them in the 19th century; today, about a hundred keep this tradition alive. In Laws, the Salt Marsh Ecomuseum offers a fascinating guided tour—the journey of the water, the salt worker’s craft, and the harvesting of fleur de sel—open from March through early November (check hours and prices before you go). It’s an ideal family outing, combining educational experiences with stunning landscapes of mirror-like water surfaces reflecting the sky. The checkerboard pattern of the salt marshes at sunset is among the island’s most beautiful sights.

Oysters and donkeys in breeches

The Île de Ré is also famous for its oysters: you can enjoy them right at the producer’s, in the oyster huts scattered across the island—in Loix, La Flotte, Ars, La Couarde, and Rivedoux—usually from April through November. Production on Île de Ré totals around 10,000 metric tons per year, coming from some sixty family-run farms; in 2026, the oysters from La Cabane du Grouin in Loix even won the gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris. Another curiosity—a tender one at that—is the donkeys in “culottes.” The “culotte” is by no means just a folkloric item: it was actual workwear, sewn from fabric, to protect the donkeys’ legs from insect bites in the marshes and vineyards—a tradition said to date back to around 1860. You can see them today in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, at Barbette Park, much to the delight of children.

Traveling to Camping Sandaya Interlude from Bordeaux by chauffeured transfer means arriving well-rested—including the Ré Bridge—right at the campground entrance with all your luggage—without having to rent a car on an island where people mostly get around by bike. For a family arriving at the Bordeaux airport or train station, this is by far the easiest option.

The bridge and toll are covered

The Île de Ré can only be reached via a toll bridge off the coast of La Rochelle. The cost of a round-trip by car varies by season (€16 in high season, €8 in mid-season, €4 in low season in 2026) and is paid on the mainland side. With a chauffeur service, this toll is included in the quote: you don’t have to worry about a thing. Above all, on an island where people get around by bike and where many families spend the week without a car, renting a vehicle for the entire duration of your stay makes little sense: it’s expensive, unnecessary once you’re there, and difficult to park in the summer. The driver will pick you up in Bordeaux (Mérignac Airport, Saint-Jean Train Station, or your hotel) and drive you nonstop to the campground entrance in Bois-Plage, with all your luggage and, upon request, child seats. The estimated travel time is 2 hours and 22 minutes.

A fixed price, known in advance

Our transfer from Bordeaux to Camping Sandaya Interlude is billed at a fixed rate, which is provided and confirmed in writing before departure: starting at approximately €339 one way (in a Mercedes sedan or van seating up to 8 passengers, including the bridge toll), regardless of traffic conditions, with no unexpected charges on the odometer. For groups—whether with family or friends—the math is simple when compared to renting a car for the entire week (plus tolls and parking), with the added assurance of a professional chauffeur who drops you off right at the campground entrance. On the return trip, the driver will pick you up in Bois-Plage at the agreed-upon time and take you back to Bordeaux, in time for your flight or train. Ideal for families loaded down with beach gear, with the peace of mind that comes from a schedule tailored to your flight or train—both on the way there and back. It’s the simplest—and most relaxing—way to start and end a vacation on Île de Ré.

A few practical tips for a stress-free stay on Île de Ré, from the toll bridge to choosing a bike over a car. The key is to plan ahead for your arrival on an island accessible only by a single bridge, where most people get around on two wheels.

The Bridge, the Toll Booth, and Access

The island is accessible only via the Île de Ré Bridge, which is nearly three kilometers long, opened in 1988, and managed by the Charente-Maritime Department (not a highway authority). The toll is paid only once, on the mainland side, on the way there; pedestrians and cyclists cross for free on dedicated lanes. By car, the round-trip fare depends on the season (€16 / €8 / €4 in 2026; subject to change). During peak season, access to the bridge can be congested on busy days: it’s best to avoid arriving in the middle of a Saturday when traffic is heaviest. With an executive car service, the toll is included, and the driver knows which times to avoid. Once on the island, leave your car behind: a bike is all you need, and the campground rents out bikes for the whole family.

Make Reservations and Get Organized

During peak season, book early: the campground fills up quickly in July and August, as do the oyster huts and the Salt Ecomuseum. Be sure to bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a windbreaker, sturdy shoes for walking along the ramparts of Saint-Martin, and a bike lock if you’re renting bikes. Check the official website —which remains the authoritative source—for details on Interlude’s facilities and services (restaurant, grocery store, spa, kids’ clubs, opening dates, and the brand transition from Sunêlia to Sandaya). We also offer the same door-to-door transfer to other campsites in the region—such as Le Vieux Port in the Landes or the Domaine de Soleil Plage in the Dordogne—among all our destinations . Finally, the Atlantic Ocean and its currents require caution: swim only in supervised areas, especially with young children.