★ 4 · last edited Jun 10, 2020
Île de Ré
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Île de Ré
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The best-known of the Atlantic coast islands is a major tourist destination for its landscapes, beaches, walks on foot or by bike, as well as its small villages and the citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Overview of Île de Ré
The best-known of the Atlantic coast islands is a major tourist destination for its landscapes, beaches, walks on foot or by bike, as well as its small villages and the citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Key facts
- Tourist interest: (must-see or highly recommended).
- Location:
- Local time:
- Main locality: Sainte-Marie-de-Ré.
- Population: 17,455 inhabitants (2016).
- Area: 85.32 km².
- Density: 204 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Peu des Aumonts (20 m).
- Coastline:
- Website: http://www.iledere.com
History of Île de Ré
Environment of Île de Ré
Wildlife and flora
Precautions
What to see on Île de Ré
Notre-Dame de Ré Abbey
Near the island's entrance, these are the remains of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The abbey is also known as Les Châteliers.
Near the island's entrance, these are the remains of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The abbey is also known as Les Châteliers.
Ars-en-Ré
It's one of the "most beautiful villages in France", with its small white houses, its painted steeple serving as a landmark for sailors, its 17th-century redoubt, its harbour, and its salt marshes. You can also go surfing at Pointe du Grignon.
It's one of the "most beautiful villages in France", with its small white houses, its painted steeple serving as a landmark for sailors, its 17th-century redoubt, its harbour, and its salt marshes. You can also go surfing at Pointe du Grignon.
Fort La Prée
One of the island's many 17th-century defensive structures. This one is star-shaped with four bastions, two facing the sea.
One of the island's many 17th-century defensive structures. This one is star-shaped with four bastions, two facing the sea.
La Couarde-sur-Mer
Small white houses along flower-lined alleyways, a charming port with a watersports centre, and above all five kilometres of sandy beaches make this town in the heart of the island a must-visit.
Small white houses along flower-lined alleyways, a charming port with a watersports centre, and above all five kilometres of sandy beaches make this town in the heart of the island a must-visit.
La Flotte
It's one of the "most beautiful villages in France" with its flower-lined streets, market inspired by medieval architecture, and small harbour. The commune is also home to Fort La Prée and the remains of Notre-Dame de Ré Abbey.
It's one of the "most beautiful villages in France" with its flower-lined streets, market inspired by medieval architecture, and small harbour. The commune is also home to Fort La Prée and the remains of Notre-Dame de Ré Abbey.
Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré
A popular spot for its 5 or 6 kilometres of sandy beaches. The area is also renowned for surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.
A popular spot for its 5 or 6 kilometres of sandy beaches. The area is also renowned for surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.
Whale Lighthouse
At the western tip of the island, in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. You can climb to its summit (57 m) and visit the small museum dedicated to lighthouses and beacons, located next door in the former lighthouse keepers' school building. All around stretch some of the island's largest sandy beaches.
At the western tip of the island, in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. You can climb to its summit (57 m) and visit the small museum dedicated to lighthouses and beacons, located next door in the former lighthouse keepers' school building. All around stretch some of the island's largest sandy beaches.
Loix Peninsula
Primarily composed of salt marshes (an eco-museum explains their history), this part of the island offers beautiful landscapes best explored by bike.
Primarily composed of salt marshes (an eco-museum explains their history), this part of the island offers beautiful landscapes best explored by bike.
Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve
This is 120 hectares of salt marshes and mudflats where over 200 bird species live.
This is 120 hectares of salt marshes and mudflats where over 200 bird species live.
Rivedoux-Plage
It’s the first town after the bridge when coming from the mainland. A small port, the Chauveau lighthouse, the Rivedoux redoubt built by Vauban, and above all its beaches are its main attractions.
It’s the first town after the bridge when coming from the mainland. A small port, the Chauveau lighthouse, the Rivedoux redoubt built by Vauban, and above all its beaches are its main attractions.
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
The island's capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the major Vauban sites network. It features a beautiful citadel (which served as a transit point for penal colonies) with its ramparts and a fortified church. Charming houses, a small port, a museum, and a pleasant setting make this town a popular tourist destination.
The island's capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the major Vauban sites network. It features a beautiful citadel (which served as a transit point for penal colonies) with its ramparts and a fortified church. Charming houses, a small port, a museum, and a pleasant setting make this town a popular tourist destination.
In the surrounding area
La Rochelle
A dynamic port, an old town, a few museums, a renowned aquarium, and the Francopholies festival are the main tourist attractions of this stunning prefecture in Charente-Maritime.
A dynamic port, an old town, a few museums, a renowned aquarium, and the Francopholies festival are the main tourist attractions of this stunning prefecture in Charente-Maritime.
What to do on Île de Ré
Climate and weather
Sea temperature throughout the year
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Île de Ré | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 12 |
Transport
Getting there
Getting around
Accommodation
Eating
Useful addresses
Further information
Recommended
La Rochelle
★★★ A dynamic port, an old town, a few museums, a renowned aquarium, and the Francopholies festival are the main tourist attractions of this…
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
★★★ The island's capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the major Vauban sites network. It features a beautiful citadel (which…
Worth a look / Other
Ars-en-Ré
★★ It's one of the "most beautiful villages in France", with its small white houses, its painted steeple serving as a landmark for sailors…
Fort La Prée
★★ One of the island's many 17th-century defensive structures. This one is star-shaped with four bastions, two facing the sea.
La Couarde-sur-Mer
★★ Small white houses along flower-lined alleyways, a charming port with a watersports centre, and above all five kilometres of sandy beaches…
La Flotte
★★ It's one of the "most beautiful villages in France" with its flower-lined streets, market inspired by medieval architecture, and small…
Whale Lighthouse
★★ At the western tip of the island, in the commune of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. You can climb to its summit (57 m) and visit the small…
Loix Peninsula
★★ Primarily composed of salt marshes (an eco-museum explains their history), this part of the island offers beautiful landscapes best…
Notre-Dame de Ré Abbey
★ Near the island's entrance, these are the remains of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The abbey is also known as Les Châteliers.
Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré
★ A popular spot for its 5 or 6 kilometres of sandy beaches. The area is also renowned for surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.
Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve
★ This is 120 hectares of salt marshes and mudflats where over 200 bird species live.
Rivedoux-Plage
★ It’s the first town after the bridge when coming from the mainland. A small port, the Chauveau lighthouse, the Rivedoux redoubt built…