Village Vacances Azureva Ile d'Oléron

Piedmontese chef Gabriele Ferri and his wife Marie-Nolwenn run this bistro, which has been given a nautical makeover against a backdrop of pale stone walls and contemporary furnishings. The culinary focus is on seafood and veggies, with Italian influences and the odd bold note. Examples: Japanese inspired poached hake flanked by daikon radish, dashi stock and umeboshi (savoury plums). Meat, meanwhile, only features during the hunting season. A signature dish: chard roasted in its skin, paired with asparagus, fennel, a burnt lemon paste and a beer-flavoured beurre blanc.

A short distance from Rémigeasse beach, Le Grand Large hotel is surrounded by dunes and unspoilt nature and overlooks the ocean below. Its restaurant looks out onto the indoor swimming pool on one side and the sea on the other – complete with sunset views. The menu showcases first-rate produce from the region, eg line-caught meagre tartare with green apple and green asparagus panna cotta with watercress; line-caught pollock with tarragon oil and a fish roe beurre blanc.

This modern spacious seafront restaurant boasts a panoramic terrace, ideal for sunset snapshots, and indoors, a suspended fireplace for warmth during colder months. The cheerful, spot-on service team celebrates a seafood-centric menu sourced from local fish auctions and the emblematic oysters of the Gillardeau family, who owns the establishment, as well as a fine lineup of meat dishes. The chef adds an exotic touch courtesy of spicy seasonings and influences from further afield. Stay for longer in one of four suites which have a balcony or a terrace with a sea view.

After Baston in Bordeaux, chef Julien Borie and baker Pauline Celle have taken the same enticing concept of a restaurant-bakery, and rooted it even more in the terroir. The chef, who is from these parts, thus has an opportunity to work with local artisans and seafood. The result is confident and masterfully executed bistronomy cuisine, incorporating precisely prepared local produce – particularly the matured fish that can be seen in a display case in the dining area. The bakery turns out natural sourdough breads using organic flour and drawing on genuine artisanal expertise. The decor features