The ‘Grand Plage’ on the Ile d’Oleron is a truly wonderful naturist beach stretching for 4 or 5 miles south from the edge of the textile area which is about 300 metres from the car park exit. The road to the car park is about a mile and a half from the roundabout at the Port of St Trojan Les Bains. It is tarmac throughout but the entrance is guarded by a height bar restricting camper vans etc. There is a car park which caters for around a hundred cars at the end plus bays further along the road. You need to be there by 10:30 in high season or you will find your walk getting longer and longer!
The demarcation between the naturist and textile beaches is clearly marked by posts, strangely there is a 100 metre ‘no mans land’ which is occupied by no one. The naturist beach is quiet even at the busiest summer period and is mainly couples and families, on the days we were there even a majority of women. You only need to walk another few hundred metres and you will have the beach to yourselves barring a few walkers. There is a toilet at the car park and a refreshment caravan doing light snacks.