Île de Ré

Across the nearly 3 km-long bridge lies heaven on earth. Come and discover or rediscover the Île de Ré, a truly authentic island in the Atlantic ocean. And there’s no better place to stay than our hotel in Saint-Martin, open from Easter to late October/early November. 

The Île de Ré is characterised by its maritime and rural landscapes, with moorland, sand dunes, woods, pine trees, marshes, and fine sandy beaches. It is also home to 10 charming traditional villages, traditional white houses with green shutters, and narrow streets dotted with flowers. In fact, the typical architecture and the whitewashed houses of its villages give the island its nickname of “Ré la Blanche”.

A true jewel of the Charente-Maritime department, this island just off the coast of La Rochelle is characterised by the authentic nature of its varied landscape and its 10 quaint villages. Ars-en-Ré, La Couarde-sur-Mer, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Loix, Les Portes-en-Ré, Rivedoux-Plage, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, La Flotte, Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré and Saint-Martin-de-Ré – each of the 10 villages seems similar enough, yet they each has their own particular ambiance. Each one of them is worth a visit, whether on foot or by bike.

The island has a range of must-visit sites – the bell tower of Ars-en-Ré; the Abbaye des Châteliers; the Lilleau des Niges national nature reserve; the observatory tower and fortifications in Saint-Martin-de-Ré; the Phare des Baleines (one of the tallest lighthouses in France); the salt marshes; the Fort la Prée; and the Musée du Platin among others.