Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Once a military stronghold and active port, the capital of the Île de Ré has become a tourist destination brimming with charm, with its narrow, cobbled streets making the perfect backdrop for any holiday.
Our 3-star hotel is an ideal location for discovering the treasures of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Head to the port, lined with restaurants and lively terraces and protected by the ramparts. It consists of a shallow harbour and a wet dock controlled by a lock straddling the old fishermen’s quarter. Here you’ll find a number of grand 17th century buildings, a testament to the wealth that the residents generated from trade with the Caribbean and Americas during this era. 

Just some of the places to discover include the Vauban citadel, an incredible set of fortifications built at the end of the 17th century by Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, Louis XIV’s engineering mastermind, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s also the Clocher de l’Observatoire (Observation Tower), offering views of both the fortified town and the rest of the Île de Ré, as well as the Hôtel de Clerjotte dating back to the 15th century which now houses the Musée Ernest Cognacq (a museum named after the founder of the Parisian department store La Samaritaine, who hailed from the island). There’s also the Plage de la Cible, a beach monitored by lifeguards throughout summer and holding certified “Démarche Qualité des Eaux de Baignade” status for the cleanliness of its water – altogether the perfect place to swim and enjoy the brilliant weather in Saint-Martin-de-Ré.