Camping Zephir

A 5-star campsite hidden in the Charente pine forest

Domaine de Zéphir is located at 22 avenue de la Coubre at Les Mathes-La Palmyre, in Charente-Maritime. Its distinctiveness lies in its exceptional leafy setting: a campsite hidden beneath a dense pine forest, home to squirrels, which keeps a pleasant coolness even at the height of summer. This dimension of unspoilt nature makes all the difference and is especially popular with families seeking an authentic seaside stay far from the large tourist complexes. The 5-star estate spreads over a carefully landscaped park, with shaded, clearly marked pitches to preserve everyone’s privacy. Accommodation ranges from contemporary mobile homes to more spacious versions for large families. The immediate proximity of La Palmyre and its shops means you can do everything on foot or by bike. The campsite has expanded its bike hire offering to let holidaymakers make the most of the cycle paths that begin right at the campsite exit. Open from 4 April to 21 September, the establishment holds a rating of 9.0/10 from over 1,800 customer surveys, a mark of recognised quality.

Restaurant, bar and services in the Charente pine forest

Dining on site includes both an à la carte restaurant and a snack bar, both open throughout the campsite’s season. The restaurant showcases Charente flavours — seafood, local oysters from Marennes-Oléron, fresh fish, regional dishes and kids’ menus — in a friendly atmosphere with a terrace in the shade of the pines. The snack bar, quicker to grab a bite, offers pizzas, platters and ice cream for tasty breaks after the beach or a swim. As for entertainment, the Capfun team runs peak season with its Clapou clubs for 4-6 year-olds, Politicator for 7-10 year-olds, Nobodys for teenagers, as well as pool wake-up sessions, sports tournaments and themed evenings. Practical services include a small grocery shop, daily bread delivery, a laundrette, Wi-Fi in the communal areas and a bike hire service that has been expanded this year to meet growing demand from cycling enthusiasts.

The beach, La Palmyre zoo and Fort Boyard

Domaine de Zéphir’s location opens up a wonderfully rich playground. The beach, just 500 metres away, welcomes swimming, beach games and first surfing lessons — the wild Charente coast is one of the most generous spots on the Atlantic seaboard. The seaside resort of La Palmyre, right nearby, charms visitors with its small shops and its famous zoo, one of the largest zoological parks in France: an absolute must-see for the whole family. Fort Boyard fans can take a boat out to this treasure of Charente-Maritime, one of the coastline’s iconic sites. Royan, a Belle Époque resort, is 20 minutes away for a retro seaside getaway. The Coubre forest and its famous lighthouse offer exceptional panoramas and walks. The Île d’Oléron, an hour away, is worth a full day. For oyster lovers, Marennes-Oléron is right nearby. On site at the campsite, a multi-sports pitch, pétanque and table tennis tables keep sports fans busy every day.