Destination Guide

A longtime favourite with French holidaymakers as a fashionable holiday resort, Ile de Ré is becoming more and more popular with the British as well, particularly since the introduction of daily flights from the U.K. to La Rochelle with Ryan Air and Fly Be. The flying time of just over one hour, coupled with the link by bridge to the  mainland (since 1988), makes it a particularly easily accessible holiday destination.  

Geographically almost totally flat, it is an unspoilt and beautiful island, with a coastline of wide sandy beaches on its southern coast, yachting harbours on its sheltered north side,  and an interior of vineyards and pine trees.  Being small (only 30 kms long and 5 kms at its widest point) many holidaymakers opt to hire bicycles as a form of transport and the island has separate cycle paths, for which maps can be purchased locally.  Protective planning regulations have ensured that there are no high rise buildings and the character of the island is preserved. The weather is also generally good, compared with other destinations in the north and west of France, making it desirable  for slightly out of season holidays in May/June or September/October.  

The Ile de Ré is renowned throughout France for its shellfish, with its many oyster beds, and ready supplies of mussels and scallops, and much of the local population is involved in the fishing industry.  Life centres around one of ten character-filled villages, all worth exploring.  The largest of these, and home to one of our properties, is St. Martin de Ré, a very picturesque fishing port, with cobbled streets and encircled by ancient stone walls, dating from the Hundred Years’ War.  The pretty harbour is lined with restaurants, cafes and boutiques.  

We have an arrangement with a local car hire company which can organize transfers between the airport and your villa, as well as car or bicycle hire during your stay.