Île de Ré
The 10 villages of Ré :
Linked to the mainland by a bridge, the gateway to the Ile de Ré is 15 minutes from the centre of La Rochelle and under 2 hours from Nantes or Bordeaux. Famous for its climate, the island is synonymous with tradition and attractive scenery in unspoilt surroundings between land and sea - traditional villages, vines, salt marshes, woodland, cycle tracks, fortifications, beaches, water sports, harbours and oyster beds – all waiting to be discovered by bike !
Ars-en-Ré : A simply delightful village which is a perfect destination for nature lovers seeking peace and tranquillity. It is very easy to fall under the spell of its white-walled cottages with green shutters and its cobbled alleyways bedecked with hollyhocks. Classed as one of the « Loveliest villages in France », it has an easily recognisable black and white church steeple.
La Couarde-sur-Mer : Ideally-situated in the centre of the Ile de Ré, this charming, traditional village is a perfect starting point for walks and bike rides.
Saint-Clément-des-Baleines : This village between the beach and woodland is dominated by the Phare des Baleines lighthouse. Its wild unspoilt coastline has some amazingly beautiful scenery.
Loix : A relaxed way of life is the order of the day in this delightful village at the heart of the salt marshes.
Les Portes-en-Ré : An enchanting, unspoilt, traditional village at the heart of a conservation area between the sea, marshes and woodland.
Rivedoux-Plage : This seaside resort tucked between two strips of white sand, is a great place to go digging for clams, cockles, etc !
Sainte-Marie-de-Ré : Take a stroll around this village between the sea and the vineyards to admire the many attractions from its rural, historical and cultural past like old wine-growers’ houses, cellars and stills, a church and chapels, miller’s house and walled gardens.
La Flotte : This former fishing village has an attractive, rich heritage in the form of Fort La Prée and the Abbaye des Chateliers, an emblematic landmark of the island, especially when the poppies around it are in bloom.
Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré : Water sports are on the agenda in at this seaside resort in the centre of the island ! Six kilometres of beaches, Blue-Flag approved since 2015, backing onto dunes and vast tracts of woodland, perfect for long walks.
Saint-Martin-de-Ré : An absolute must to visit on the island, this village revolves around its harbour and is protected by ramparts built during the time of Vauban.
Essential sight-seeing on the Ile de Ré :
Phare des Baleines lighthouse
Climb the 257 steps to the top of the lighthouse to be rewarded by breathtaking views of the Ile de Ré, the Pertuis Breton and the Pertuis d'Antioche. Afterwards, take a stroll through the museum and its grounds to discover the history of the lighthouse or enjoy a breath of fresh sea air on Plage de la Conche beach.
Salt marshes
In the 19th century there were over 1,000 saltmarsh workers on the Ile de Ré. Today there are only about one hundred. The Ecomusée du Marais Salant will help you to understand how the salt is made and to interpret the fascinating landscape.
Maison du Fier d’Ars and Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Lilleau des Niges
The Maison du Fier houses an exhibition about the wide diversity of flora and fauna found on the island’s chequered landscape. Take time for a little walk through the nature reserve, a paradise for birds.
Gîtes de France tip : "A major destination in July and August, the Ile de Ré is just as lovely during a pre-season or post-season break. Heritage attractions, the sea, vines, gentle light and a relaxed way of life can be enjoyed by walking or cycling around the island !"
How to get to the Ile de Ré, Charente Maritime:
By air : La Rochelle - Ile de Ré airport (LRH) has regular direct flights to Dublin, London Stansted, Lyon, Paris Orly, Porto.
Seasonal destinations include Ajaccio, Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels-Charleroi, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Geneva, Leeds, London Gatwick, Manchester, Southampton.
By rail : to La Rochelle station, close to the centre. TGV fast trains from Paris, Poitiers, Tours. Intercity line : Nantes-La Rochelle-Bordeaux.
By road : Go over the road bridge by car. NB. A toll is payable on entry.
By bus : Many services run between La Rochelle and the Ile de Ré.
By boat : Ferries run between La Rochelle and the Ile de Ré.
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
LA PETITE MAISON
in ST-CLEMENT-DES-BALEINES - Charente-Maritime
Lodging
VILLA LES FONTAINES 2
in LE-BOIS-PLAGE-EN-RE - Charente-Maritime
