Villa Sacha

Classified as one of France’s 'plus-beaux villages', the picturesque harbour village of Ars en Ré is located in the southwest of Ile de Ré. From the oversized black and white church spire at the centre of the village to the pretty whitewashed houses that adorn winding streets, you’ll find yourself instinctively reaching for a camera at every turn. You’ll also immerse yourself in the region’s laid-back atmosphere, happily meandering around galleries, browsing independent stores and settling down for delicious seafood lunches.

Upon arriving on the island for the first time, you’ll be taken aback by the sheer volume of cycles – and the scarcity of cars! This is entirely by design, with over one hundred kilometres of dedicated cycle paths installed on Ile de Ré’s predominantly flat landscape. Cycling enthusiasts widely consider the area the best-located option for a biking holiday because the island’s southwest is quieter and has many stunning routes. Ars en Ré hosts several bike rental companies, where you’ll have the choice of a range of sizes and types of cycles, with E-Bikes becoming an increasingly popular option. Once you’ve hired your wheels of choice, explore winding routes that guide you through woodland, oyster farms, marshland, and coastal paths with breath-taking ocean panoramas.

For a fantastic hands-on experience of the island’s aquaculture, take a leisurely twenty-minute ride to La Ferme des Baleines. Based alongside the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve, this oyster farm produces clear oysters, imperial prawns, razor clams, and sea bream. If you book ahead online, you can enjoy a guided tour of the farm, along with tastings. Once you’ve learned about the farm’s intricate and fascinating production methods, you can enjoy some delicious oysters with a glass of perfectly chilled wine.

For a different perspective on the huge church spire at Ars en Ré, take the twenty-minute ride north to the iconic lighthouse at Phare des Baleines. Having made your way to the top, you will, clear weather permitting, see the painted spire that once helped to guide boats into the port long before the invention of radar systems! After your ride and climbing the lighthouse steps, why not refuel at the La Martinière ice cream parlour? With a wide variety of mouth-watering gelato flavours and frozen macarons on offer, who could resist?

Read more about Ile de Re

Vast beaches, cycling paths, salt marshes, kite-surfing, pretty villages and fine seafood - Île de Ré is a small island on France’s Atlantic coast with endless opportunities for every generation.

The island is easily reached via the 3km long bridge from the mainland, Pont de l'île de Ré, only minutes from La Rochelle Airport. If arriving by train, Gare La Rochelle is less than 3 hours from Paris-Montparnasse via TGV whilst the ferry ports of Saint-Malo, Caen-Ouistreham and Le Havre are easily reached by car.  

Be charmed by the island’s main town, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, steeped in history with its half-timbered houses, flower-filled lanes and Vauban citadel – indeed, the fortifications are now a UNESCO World Heritage site (guided tours can be arranged). Come across some the best ice-cream on the island at La Martinière by the bustling harbour. Stroll up to Église Saint-Martin de Ré and admire the panoramic views from its historic belltower.

Other idyllic villages include La Flotte with its characterful market and Ars en Ré surrounded by salt marshes, both classified as two of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. There’s another great market at Le Bois Plage en Ré, a lovely little town with long sandy beaches, whilst Les Portes-en-Ré is another jewel of the island next to vast salt marshes and sandy shores. The 18-hole Golf de Trousse Chemise is just south of Les Portes-en-Ré and there is a superb cycling trail through the pine forest towards the iconic Phare des Baleines for more stunning views.

Indeed, the island is famous for its cycling routes thanks to dedicated trails through vineyards, forests and salt marshes. The island is a paradise for watersport enthusiasts with kite-surfing, jet-skiing and surfing in the ocean as well as canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding through the marshes, a fantastic way to appreciate the island’s diverse flora and fauna.

Île de Ré’s gastronomy is also to be celebrated – discover seasonal delights such as the island’s highly regarded potatoes, cheese, samphire, honey, shellfish and of course a range of natural salt products. Since the 13th century the island has cultivated vines and there are some excellent wines to try. Finally, don’t miss experiencing the oyster huts dotted across the island, often accompanied by a glass of chilled white wine of course.