A Weekend Away On The Beautiful Ile De Ré.

Under two hours away from our office in Ruffec the Ile de Ré is easily accessible and ideal for a short break. Off the coast of La Rochelle in the Atlantic Ocean the island is 30kms long and 5kms wide with many attractive villages/towns to visit.

Built in 1988, the 3km bridge is the only entry point into the island, other than by boat. It offers stunning views as you both leave behind mainland France and enter the island. Open 24/7, a fee is paid at the toll gate on your journey into Ile de Ré, though there is no fee leaving. Leave your cares and worries behind as you drive across the bridge into a peaceful haven.

Home to glorious beaches, vineyards, salt marshes, and authentic French villages, Ile de Ré has been the second home of fashionable Parisians for generations. Small enough to drive from one end to the other in 40 minutes, Ile de Ré has an intimacy that’s comforting and local without leaving you feeling restricted. With a resident population of around 20,000 spread across the island.

There is a lovely Saturday market in one of the most picturesque ports of Saint Martin de Ré. Here there is a feast for the senses with a vast display of local products and freshly caught seafood. Any 'Tintin' fans will already know that St Martin has the only shop in the world dedicated soley to 'Tintin'!

Bicycle shops are in most towns and can be rented for reasonable prices. Residents cycle all the time, often to fill their baskets with local market produce. There are dedicated cycle lanes alongside roads and specific cycle routes to follow. Cycle at your own pace through open fields and vineyards, leafy squares and gorgeous little villages. You can hug the rugged coastline and admire the beaches, or explore the salt marshes and oyster bays which can only be accessed by bike. We even noticed teh possibility to hire tandems and incredibly a 'Penny Farthing'!

Property prices are incredibly high driven by the fact that construction over 2 storeys is forbidden making land a premium on the island. So buying a property in the Charente and visiting is a great alternative.

Across the island you will see shuttered houses in the softest pastels lining lightly cobbled streets of taupes and greys. There is a distinct colour scheme that reflects the simple way of life and natural coastline.

The beauty of Ile de Ré is that it’s a tranquil snapshot into the simple life of local residents. Be careful when you visit though, as the summer season sees thousands of tourists, mainly French, descend upon the island. Try visiting in May or September for a quiet alternative, still with beautiful weather. The calmness of local life is the real essence of the island.