Took delivery of our VW camper in April, used in UK only so far. This is now on our list since subscribing and so many fantastic videos. Always camped with children but I’ve never known such a community as campervan/motorhomers, overflowing with help.
Thanks for the comment Keith and we are glad you are liking what we do. The Ile-de-Re is one of our happy places that we find ourselves returning to time after time and it always brings something new to our experiences. We agree- we are really lucky with the campervan community- everyone is just so supportive. We absolutely love it. Enjoy the van👍
You two are absolutely doing the RIGHT thing and living your best lives! I have to admit to feeling rather anxious as I watched you in Ile de Re. My husband and I were there in our blue T6 early last June and stayed at the campsite very close to the Phare des Baleines in Ars for 4 nights - where we bumped into some friends of ours quite by chance. My husband wasn't feeling too good however we were touring on from there but in the end cut short our month long holiday by 8 days. Sadly he was admitted to hospital on 23 June and was diagnosed with lymphoma and after 2 horrible bouts of chemotherapy he died on 20 August aged just 65. So my advice to everyone with whom I come into contact is DO IT NOW! Don't wait or delay because our lives changed in an instant. Thank heavens for those 3 weeks in France where we lived normally. We'd been going to France for over 30 years with our kids and then by ourselves and LOVED it so much. I'm just not sure I am ready to take the T6 over to France by myself yet but I know my husband would want me to get out and have adventures. We know Noirmoutier well and will pull up my big girl's pants to watch that video next! Found your channel the other day and am loving your style and content. Sorry for the long winded comment but I'm passionate about validating your decision to wring the most you can out of every day. Diane xxx
Oh gosh Diane- we are so sorry. We are both just stunned at the sudden nature of your loss. Life can be so cruel at times. Your advice of do it now is so true. After I lost my dad and brother suddenly and unexpectedly in a matter of months in 2021, I now firmly believe in this approach to life...and it is one of the reasons behind what we do. We are sure that you will soon find the confidence to get out there again, but you will know when the time is right for you. It must be really reassuring to know that your husband would want you to get out and adventure again. One thing that I have learned is that you cannot rush grief and that is ok. Thank you so much for reaching out with a comment. We are so humbled that you did. Best wishes and take care, Richard & Jackie
What a great place - I love the harbour and the village/town lanes. I wish you'd stop showing these great places, my travel list is growing every time I watch one of your videos! 😉
Ile de Ré is our very favourite destination in France. We always stay for a few days just to unwind when we arrive in France. It never disappoints! Your portrayal of the island was perfect.👌🏻
We love it too. There are some places that you can’t resist returning too and the Il de Re is one of them. For me Chamonix in the summer is the other 😊
Another great video and some great advice and perfect series for us as we will be following in your footsteps in about 17 days from now and counting, only for 4 week, I admire the way you retired at 50, thanks for all the great videos Richard and Jackie 👍👍
Very exciting have a great time! Where are you headed to? It is almost a year since we retired and so far we have loved it, particularly now we have the cottage renovated and it’s a lovely base to return home to!
Where heading to Santander spend 5 days in spain then move near to biarritz,next stop bordeaux then lle-de-Re and finish up saint malo then home 😢,we envy you two we are about 2/3 years off what your doing, love watching your videos so keep up the great work and keep enjoying 👍❤
Loved the video guys. We’re heading to the Île De Ré next month so this video has really got us excited. Thanks for sharing and we hope we get the same lovely weather that you guys got. Safe travels. Irvine & Karen.
thanks for the video. I guess you did not come in the Ile de Re during the high season which is really packed (particularly the cycle path !!!). We visited the ile de Re 2 years ago and it was a fantastic stay.
Thanks for the comment. On this trip we were in early season so it wasn't too bad. Speaking to the locals they did say it was very different in the hight of summer. It is such a stunningly beautiful island. Have a good week👍
We have just had a few days in St Martin after watching your video. Loved the place. It has a fascinating history as it was one of the main ports where France shipped its criminals to its penal colonies, as in the film Papillon. There is still a large prison just outside the town. The walls of the Ramparts by the prison are covered in names of prisoners and the dates. On the other side of the town is a large dry dock, similar to the opening scene of Les Mis when the convicts are dragging a hulk up into the dock. The town is beautiful, but as we sat, drinking our wine, we tried to imagine the dark history of this lovely place.
I ❤ ile de re it’s such a lovely island I’d go back there in a heartbeat and the food is just delicious had a lovely meal in at restaurant called St George
Hi, Im enjoying your videos to lovely places, 🙂and learning a lot of gr8 info from them that'll help a lot for my up-coming road trip happening either this august or spring nxt yr. Was that early june you were on the island? Im also wondering, if when you were travelling in April (which suits me much better weather ways 🙂), did you find many of the camp sites in france or spain to be shut? Im a little worried about this, as I hope to just get ferry to bilbao and show up at camp sites en route without reservations or phoning in advance. I also heard that aires only allow fully self contained vans to stay (ie.. with a toilet on board etc). Is this true?? My van is tiny, a vw caddy, with only a simple bed in it. Thanks a million! (sorry about the triple barrel question :-0 )
Thanks for watching our channel, glad you have found some of the videos of use. When we travelled in April through France a few years ago there were still many campsites closed so we had to be more careful looking for places. We don't prebook though - we look at what area we want to visit and check either google maps for campsites and look at their websites to see prices and if they are open. We also use the Park for night app as it shows aires, wild camping spots and campsites. If you read the comments you can work out if some of the aires and park ups have toilets nearby. We also use the ACSI card and App that limits the costs of campsites to between €13 - €27 per night which is great value at times. We have stayed in the more rural French aires where I have an emergency bucket or go for a wild wee behind the van. We have never come across anyone checking our van for facilities but we do avoid more suburban aires unless they have a toilet. Hope all this helps a little
Hi there are so many fab campsites on the island. We personally like the Huttopia sites and stayed at Chardons Bleus- it is in the middle of the island and a great base for cycling around. The site up in Ars en Re is right by the beach and a great location. We have stayed at Sunelia interlude before which was a little more commercial with smaller pitches but cafes, bars and right on the beach. As we got older we like the quieter campsites! It is such a beautiful island hope you enjoy it 🚐
@user-db3cj7ik4k very exciting!! The Il de Re is absolutely stunning - Saumur in the Loire valley is a good area to stay for a couple of nights while you are there too 🚐. Happy travels - where are you going for your first van trip?
Hi we stayed at the Huttopia Chardons Bleus in the middle of the island. It has a pool but is a good bike ride to the nearest beach. We really liked it as a base and we really like Huttopia as a brand 🚐
If you can go out of season - may, June or September then the il de Re should definitely be on your bucket list. It is simply stunning and the cycling is so flat, safe and easy to get around between the towns and beaches. It’s one place we keep returning to. (Chamonix in the alps is the other) 🚐
Took delivery of our VW camper in April, used in UK only so far. This is now on our list since subscribing and so many fantastic videos. Always camped with children but I’ve never known such a community as campervan/motorhomers, overflowing with help.
Thanks for the comment Keith and we are glad you are liking what we do. The Ile-de-Re is one of our happy places that we find ourselves returning to time after time and it always brings something new to our experiences.
We agree- we are really lucky with the campervan community- everyone is just so supportive. We absolutely love it.
Enjoy the van👍
You two are absolutely doing the RIGHT thing and living your best lives! I have to admit to feeling rather anxious as I watched you in Ile de Re. My husband and I were there in our blue T6 early last June and stayed at the campsite very close to the Phare des Baleines in Ars for 4 nights - where we bumped into some friends of ours quite by chance. My husband wasn't feeling too good however we were touring on from there but in the end cut short our month long holiday by 8 days. Sadly he was admitted to hospital on 23 June and was diagnosed with lymphoma and after 2 horrible bouts of chemotherapy he died on 20 August aged just 65. So my advice to everyone with whom I come into contact is DO IT NOW! Don't wait or delay because our lives changed in an instant. Thank heavens for those 3 weeks in France where we lived normally. We'd been going to France for over 30 years with our kids and then by ourselves and LOVED it so much. I'm just not sure I am ready to take the T6 over to France by myself yet but I know my husband would want me to get out and have adventures. We know Noirmoutier well and will pull up my big girl's pants to watch that video next! Found your channel the other day and am loving your style and content. Sorry for the long winded comment but I'm passionate about validating your decision to wring the most you can out of every day. Diane xxx
Oh gosh Diane- we are so sorry. We are both just stunned at the sudden nature of your loss. Life can be so cruel at times.
Your advice of do it now is so true. After I lost my dad and brother suddenly and unexpectedly in a matter of months in 2021, I now firmly believe in this approach to life...and it is one of the reasons behind what we do.
We are sure that you will soon find the confidence to get out there again, but you will know when the time is right for you. It must be really reassuring to know that your husband would want you to get out and adventure again.
One thing that I have learned is that you cannot rush grief and that is ok.
Thank you so much for reaching out with a comment. We are so humbled that you did.
Best wishes and take care,
Richard & Jackie
What a great place - I love the harbour and the village/town lanes. I wish you'd stop showing these great places, my travel list is growing every time I watch one of your videos! 😉
Our list is immense after chatting to different travelers along the way!!
Stunning, i love the campsite. Thank you for sharing your wonderful travels. Xxx
We love the Il de Re and the camping Huttopia site was fab. An easy cycle to the towns and beaches so we didn’t need to move the van 🚐
Ile de Ré is our very favourite destination in France. We always stay for a few days just to unwind when we arrive in France. It never disappoints! Your portrayal of the island was perfect.👌🏻
We love it too. There are some places that you can’t resist returning too and the Il de Re is one of them. For me Chamonix in the summer is the other 😊
Another great video and some great advice and perfect series for us as we will be following in your footsteps in about 17 days from now and counting, only for 4 week, I admire the way you retired at 50, thanks for all the great videos Richard and Jackie 👍👍
Very exciting have a great time! Where are you headed to? It is almost a year since we retired and so far we have loved it, particularly now we have the cottage renovated and it’s a lovely base to return home to!
Where heading to Santander spend 5 days in spain then move near to biarritz,next stop bordeaux then lle-de-Re and finish up saint malo then home 😢,we envy you two we are about 2/3 years off what your doing, love watching your videos so keep up the great work and keep enjoying 👍❤
Have a great time x
Love re-visiting many of the places we have been with our motorhome & bikes (cheat-electric). Thanks
The il de re will always be one of our favourite places 🚐
We stayed a bit further south of you it was great to be able to ride my bike threw the forest and along the beachfront so glad you both enjoyed it.
Such an amazing place. We enjoyed all 3 islands for the cycling 🚴🏻
Loved the video guys. We’re heading to the Île De Ré next month so this video has really got us excited. Thanks for sharing and we hope we get the same lovely weather that you guys got. Safe travels. Irvine & Karen.
It is just a stunningly beautiful island.. hope you love it as much as we did x
Off there next week ,got our bikes packed ,thanks for sharing
It is one of our happy places- have a great trip - the cycling is fab and generally flat 🚴🏻
Thank you for a super VLOG. Following your video I think I'll put it on my list for my September list.
thanks for the video. I guess you did not come in the Ile de Re during the high season which is really packed (particularly the cycle path !!!). We visited the ile de Re 2 years ago and it was a fantastic stay.
Thanks for the comment. On this trip we were in early season so it wasn't too bad. Speaking to the locals they did say it was very different in the hight of summer. It is such a stunningly beautiful island.
Have a good week👍
We have just had a few days in St Martin after watching your video. Loved the place. It has a fascinating history as it was one of the main ports where France shipped its criminals to its penal colonies, as in the film Papillon. There is still a large prison just outside the town. The walls of the Ramparts by the prison are covered in names of prisoners and the dates. On the other side of the town is a large dry dock, similar to the opening scene of Les Mis when the convicts are dragging a hulk up into the dock. The town is beautiful, but as we sat, drinking our wine, we tried to imagine the dark history of this lovely place.
It is one of those places that we keep returning to, it is so pretty and as you say historic.
I ❤ ile de re it’s such a lovely island I’d go back there in a heartbeat and the food is just delicious had a lovely meal in at restaurant called St George
It is a stunningly beautiful island 🚐
Hi, Im enjoying your videos to lovely places, 🙂and learning a lot of gr8 info from them that'll help a lot for my up-coming road trip happening either this august or spring nxt yr. Was that early june you were on the island? Im also wondering, if when you were travelling in April (which suits me much better weather ways 🙂), did you find many of the camp sites in france or spain to be shut? Im a little worried about this, as I hope to just get ferry to bilbao and show up at camp sites en route without reservations or phoning in advance. I also heard that aires only allow fully self contained vans to stay (ie.. with a toilet on board etc). Is this true?? My van is tiny, a vw caddy, with only a simple bed in it. Thanks a million! (sorry about the triple barrel question :-0 )
Thanks for watching our channel, glad you have found some of the videos of use. When we travelled in April through France a few years ago there were still many campsites closed so we had to be more careful looking for places. We don't prebook though - we look at what area we want to visit and check either google maps for campsites and look at their websites to see prices and if they are open. We also use the Park for night app as it shows aires, wild camping spots and campsites. If you read the comments you can work out if some of the aires and park ups have toilets nearby. We also use the ACSI card and App that limits the costs of campsites to between €13 - €27 per night which is great value at times. We have stayed in the more rural French aires where I have an emergency bucket or go for a wild wee behind the van. We have never come across anyone checking our van for facilities but we do avoid more suburban aires unless they have a toilet. Hope all this helps a little
@@earlyretirementwanderlust It really helps a lot. Thanks a million for taking the time to reply! 🙂
Hi
Love you video - what time of year did you do your trip?
We were there in June this year which was great because it was quieter 🚐
Hi can u tell me what campsite to stay on in I’ll de re we are going in September with our motorhome your holiday looks amazing thank u
Hi there are so many fab campsites on the island. We personally like the Huttopia sites and stayed at Chardons Bleus- it is in the middle of the island and a great base for cycling around. The site up in Ars en Re is right by the beach and a great location. We have stayed at Sunelia interlude before which was a little more commercial with smaller pitches but cafes, bars and right on the beach. As we got older we like the quieter campsites! It is such a beautiful island hope you enjoy it 🚐
Just found your videos, literally purchased our van an hour ago and planning our trip to Ill de res later in the year :-)
@user-db3cj7ik4k very exciting!! The Il de Re is absolutely stunning - Saumur in the Loire valley is a good area to stay for a couple of nights while you are there too 🚐. Happy travels - where are you going for your first van trip?
Could you let me know which Huttopia campsite you stayed at , looks like they have 3 on the island.
Hi we stayed at the Huttopia Chardons Bleus in the middle of the island. It has a pool but is a good bike ride to the nearest beach. We really liked it as a base and we really like Huttopia as a brand 🚐
Fantastic, the cycling opportunities and the campsite look amazing.🚐😄❤️
If you can go out of season - may, June or September then the il de Re should definitely be on your bucket list. It is simply stunning and the cycling is so flat, safe and easy to get around between the towns and beaches. It’s one place we keep returning to. (Chamonix in the alps is the other) 🚐