Article mis à jour le 12 Sep 2024

What to do on the Island of Ré ?

The Island of Ré, located off the Atlantic coast, is a haven of peace and charm. Known for its beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque villages with white houses and salt marshes, there’s plenty to discover. I’d never had the chance to visit before and this trip confirmed that France really is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Perfect for cycling, nature and gastronomy, the island of Ré offers a peaceful and authentic escape. The island has over 100km of cycle paths and everything can be done by bike. Beware, however, of the huge crowds in July and August, when the population rises from 15,000 to over 200,000. Let’s see what you can do on the Island of Ré for an unforgettable holiday !

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How can I visit the Island of Ré in 3 days ?

Here’s an itinerary to help you discover what to do on the island of Ré ! Note that this programme can easily be done in 3 days if you don’t take a day off. I recommend spending between 3 days and 1 week on the Island of Ré to get the most out of your trip.

Contents :

• La Flotte, Saint Martin en Ré and Loix by bike (Day 1)
• The whale lighthouse, Ars-en-Ré and the island’s most beautiful beaches (Day 2)
• Activities not to be missed (Day 3)

Travelling to the Island of Ré : what to do ?

How to prepare for your holiday

➡️ When to go ?

To enjoy the island with maximum sunshine, you need to come in summer. However, if you can, I recommend that you go in May/June or September to avoid the peak season. It’s much more pleasant to get around by bike and you won’t need to make reservations for restaurants and activities. What’s more, accommodation is more affordable.

✈️ How do I get to the Island of Ré ?

If you’re coming by plane, the nearest airports are La Rochelle, Nantes and Bordeaux. We recommend that you compare the best deals and book your flights on Ulysse.

You can take advantage of a €10 discount on your first flight booking on Ulysse by registering via our link and using this code : PVWYP4ESA !

🚗 Hire a car for your stay ?

To find a car rental, compare prices on Discovercars. In fact, this comparator scans the entire market and gives very low prices. They’re even cheaper than on direct rental sites.

➡️ Where to stay on the Island of Ré ?

For your stay on the Island of Ré, I highly recommend booking accommodation at Le Clos des Sternes. I was lucky enough to stay there and everything was perfect. You’ll be greeted by the lovely local Delphine, who knows the island like the back of her hand and can make recommendations to suit your tastes. The accommodation is very well equipped and located right in the centre of La Flotte, the island’s second largest village.

What to do in 3 days on the Island of Ré ?

I’m going to tell you my itinerary for visiting the island of Ré in 3 days. I’d like to remind you that I didn’t take any time to settle down and that it’s best to visit the island in 4 to 7 days to get the most out of it.

Visiting the island of Ré : the must-sees

Day 1 : La Flotte, Saint-Martin-de-Ré and Loix by bike

La Flotte

La Flotte is one of the most beautiful villages on the Island of Ré. I find it very charming, with its picturesque port, cobbled streets and white houses with green shutters. This historic village is home to a lively medieval market selling local produce and crafts. You absolutely must try the ice creams from La Martinière ! Many flavours (if you try the oyster one, I want feedback in comments) natural without being too sweet 🤤.

Not far from the centre, 25 minutes on foot or 10 by bike, I recommend dining at Cabane Océane. Right by the ocean, the setting is really cute and the food excellent. My favourite is the rillettes de maigre !

Saint-Martin-of-Ré

Saint-Martin-of-Ré, the historic capital of the Island of Ré, is a fortified village, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ramparts, designed by Vauban. Its lively port is surrounded by white houses and inviting terraces, perfect for a stroll. The cobbled streets, craft shops and local markets reflect the authenticity of life in the Retagne.

For a terrace lunch with a wide range of seafood specialities, I recommend the Tout du cru restaurant. It’s an authentic address with a quiet terrace and top-notch service. Special mention for the delicious razor clams with parsley !

Loix

Loix is a small, authentic village on a peninsula to the west of the Island of Ré. I was seduced by its rural charm and unspoilt countryside. Surrounded by salt marshes, it’s a haven of peace for lovers of nature and tranquillity. The village is famous for its salt producers and the cycle paths that wind between the marshes. Loix is also home to the Marais Salant eco-museum, where you can discover the traditional skills of the salt producers. Its intimate harbour and picturesque streets make Loix an ideal destination for those in search of authenticity.

Don’t hesitate to head to the artisanal district to visit the soap and honey producers, for example. I bought a local rum with honey, and it’s excellent 🤯.

Day 2 : the Whale lighthouse, Ars-en-Ré and the most beautiful beaches on the island.

For this 2ᵉ day, I took to the road with my car to get to the tip of the island. For the sporty types, this can be done by bike, counting 2H30 round trip from La Flotte.

The Whale Lighthouse

The Whale lighthouse, located at the western end of the island, is one of the must-see places on the Island of Ré. Built in 1854, it stands 57 metres high and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline. After climbing the 257 steps, you can admire the surrounding scenery, including the beach at “Conche des Baleines” (price : €3.50 per adult). At its foot, a museum recounts the history of lighthouses and navigation.

Ars-en-Ré

Ars-en-Ré is listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. This picturesque village boasts narrow cobbled streets, white houses with green shutters and a charming harbour. Its church, recognisable by its black-and-white bell tower, was once a landmark for sailors. Ars-en-Ré is also famous for its salt marshes, where you can watch sauniers harvesting salt.

I was able to try out an inexpensive address for lunch : Chez Dam’s. It serves burgers, tacos and pizzas. Only two small tables, outside, but for a quick and economical meal it was great !

The most beautiful beaches on the Island of Ré

• Beach Trou Chemise : located at the northern tip of the Island of Ré, this is a real natural paradise. Because it’s a little out of the way, it’s very wild and unspoilt. Bordered by pine trees and dunes, I love the peaceful atmosphere. This beach was immortalised by Charles Aznavour in his song ‘Trousse-Chemise’, and is an iconic spot for those seeking tranquillity and natural beauty on the island.

• Beach of Gollandières : located in Bois-Plage-en-Ré, this is one of the most popular beaches on the Island of Ré. It is very wide and bordered by dunes and pine trees, ideal for swimming and water sports. The beach is supervised in summer, making it ideal for families. If you’re a fan of lazing around, you’ll love the wide open spaces where you can relax. It’s also the ideal place for kite-surfing !
• Beach of Gros Joncs : this is just below the previous beach. In the same style, but you’ll also find plenty of opportunities for paddle boarding and sailing. You’ll also find shops and restaurants nearby.

Day 3 : Activities not to be missed

Visit Domaine Arica

During my stay, I met Marine and Simon, the owners of Domaine Arica. This family-run vineyard is renowned for its exceptional organic wines. Not only are the wines excellent and the bottles magnificent, but it’s also very interesting to visit. You can visit the winery and enjoy a free tasting session. You’re bound to come away with one (or more) great bottles!

The biscuit factory in Ré

For food lovers in search of authentic flavours, you can’t miss the biscuit factory in Ré. Located less than 10 minutes’ drive from La Flotte, you’ll have the chance to taste all the biscuits produced by this family-run business. Here too, you’re likely to come away with packets of biscuits, ideal for gifts! I’m not much of a biscuit person, but I ended up falling for them…

Oyster tasting

I’m not a big fan of oysters, but if you are, you really must try one. There are many addresses on the Island of Ré, and this is one of the must-do places. I can only recommend the Cabane Océane, as the reviews are very good and I really enjoyed the setting !

Boat trip

Weather permitting, don’t hesitate to book a boat trip. Either to visit the famous Fort Boyard, or to enjoy a sunset on a catamaran. Both of these outings last 2 hours and will add some wonderful memories to your stay.

Play a game of padel or tennis

I was delighted when I saw that the island had padel courts ! For a sporting interlude, you can go to the Ré Tennis Club. The welcome and the courts are top-notch. If you don’t have any equipment, don’t worry, the club can hire you rackets.

That’s the end of this 3-day itinerary for your stay on the Island of Ré. I hope you now know what to do on the Island of Ré and I hope you have a great trip !

For more travel inspiration in France, check out our guide to a weekend in Bordeaux or a road trip in Brittany !

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