The Campsites in Charente Maritime Unscathed After the Storm Xynthia

4 days after Storm Xynthia devastated the French Atlantic Coast we have been able to establish a status report on the campsites in the county; the findings are reassuring. Only a few of the 350 campsites in the county have suffered serious damage.

After seeing the recent images on various television channels these last days we were worried for the campsites in the county, especially considering that the season will be starting shortly. The initial status report is very reassuring. There is no reason for tourists to change their plans for their summer holidays. Most campsites have suffered only minor damage (trees felled, roofing tiles blown off, fences and gates blown down etc.) Camping sites on the Cote Sauvage and the Ile d’Oleron have suffered very little damage.

Campsites affected in localised areas

L’île de Ré was hit full force by the storm; however by a miracle the majority of the campsites were spared major damage. Only three campsites have been seriously damaged at la Couarde sur Mer. The owners are optimistic and will be working to ensure everything is up and running for the holiday season (cleaning up, changing holiday homes, electrical and maintenance appliances). For the other sites there has only been minimal damage that will not have any effect on the season to come.

Around La Rochelle the affected areas are quite random. Chatelaillon has had only one of its campsites flooded. Everyone is already working hard to ensure everything will be ready for opening.
The worst affected area has been Aytre; all three campsites were under water for several days. Despite the flooding no one has announced that there will be closures this coming summer.

Fouras, Port des Barques and the Charente Estuary were partially submerged but the damage does not appear to have any serious consequences for the tourist season.

Homeless families: Charente Maritime campsites offer a helping hand

The Fédération Départementale de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air wanted to help those who have lost everything in this natural disaster. A number of campsites have offered to house victims in holiday homes, allowing them some comfort and intimacy. More than 100 families have been temporarily relocated. The cost of this relief operation is being met by the Féderation and the Conseil Général de la Charente Maritime (local authorities)

Raymond Moreau
Président de la FDHPA 17

Additional information :

Fédération Départementale de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air de Charente Maritime
139, rue Thiers – 17300 Rochefort
p.migaud@fdhpa17.fr – 05 46 88 08 88
www.campings-atlantique.com