Secret Corners of the Island of Ré

Trousse Chemise Beach extends along a dune landscape bordered by a pine forest. A footpath runs parallel to the coast and provides access to this quiet section of the island.

The village of Loix is located in the northern part of Île de Ré and maintains its identity as a salt production site. The salt marshes are still worked today and produce the characteristic white gold of the region. The narrow streets lead to small shops selling local products. The local museum documents the history of salt extraction and displays tools and working methods of the salt workers.

The Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve is a protected area covering salt marshes and mudflats. Over 300 bird species use this site for nesting and as a stopover during their migrations. The salt pans and open water areas provide habitat for wading birds, ducks and herons that can be observed here throughout the seasons.

The Port du Fier d'Ars maintains its traditional fishing activity with small boats moored at the quays. Typical houses with white facades and green shutters line the harbor basin, giving the place its characteristic charm of the Île de Ré.

The Ferme des Baleines is located near the lighthouse of Saint-Clément and combines agricultural activities with shellfish farming. This facility produces local goods and cultivates various species of shellfish. Visitors can discover the processing methods and purchase regional products from the island's production.

Grenettes Beach is located on the northern coast of Île de Ré and offers surfers regular waves created by its open Atlantic position. The bay features fine sand and is appreciated by water sports enthusiasts for its stable conditions.

Petit Sergent Beach offers a long expanse of fine sand that stretches along the Atlantic coast. A footpath running parallel to the sea provides direct access to this coastal section of La Couarde-sur-Mer.

The Phare des Baleines was built in 1854 and stands at the western tip of Île de Ré. This 57-meter tower features 257 steps leading visitors to the top, where they can observe the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline, and surrounding waters. The site also includes an older lighthouse from the 17th century and a museum documenting the history of navigation and maritime activity in the region.

The Écomusée du Sel in Loix documents the development of salt production on the Île de Ré. The exhibition presents the working techniques of salt farmers, their tools, and the operation of salt marshes. Visitors discover the economic importance of this activity for the region and the characteristics of local salt production.

This beach features fine sand and offers a lifeguard station during the summer months, situated 200 meters from the restaurants and shops in the town center.

The Conche des Baleines Beach extends for three kilometers along a maritime pine forest. Several marked trails lead through the forest and provide access to different sections of the beach.

Petit Bec Beach stretches along the northern tip of the Island of Ré and offers direct views of the Vendée coast. From this natural beach, visitors can observe cargo ships and ferries traveling toward the port of La Rochelle. The location makes this spot a quiet observation point for maritime traffic in the Pertuis Breton.

The Plage de la Redoute stretches below the fort of the same name, a 17th-century military installation built to defend the island's access point. This sandy beach offers direct views of the historical fortification and sits close to the port of Rivedoux-Plage.

Loge Beach is located at the northern tip of Île de Ré, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Fier d'Ars bay. The fine sand stretches along a coastline regularly influenced by tides. This location makes the beach a quiet place appreciated by walkers and nature observers.

Anse du Fourneau Beach occupies a natural cove surrounded by maritime pines. The fine sand and gradual entry into the water make this location a pleasant spot for swimming away from tourist crowds.

The Gouillauds Dune belongs to the public maritime domain and extends along the coast of Île de Ré. This dune harbors characteristic plant species adapted to sandy and saline environments. The dune plays an important role in protecting the coastline against erosion caused by wind and waves.

Port Notre-Dame Beach extends for several hundred meters along the northern coast of the island. The fine sand is bordered by extensive salt marshes that characterize this region. The northern orientation provides natural protection from prevailing western winds and allows for calmer swimming than the southern beaches of the island.

The Sablanceaux Old Battery is a 17th-century military fortification that includes thick stone walls, casemates, and artillery platforms oriented toward the Atlantic Ocean, designed to protect the coastline of Île de Ré.

Basse Benaie Beach features a supervised swimming area during the summer months. The water is accessible via a gentle slope, making it particularly suitable for families with children. The beach provides public showers and facilities designed for visitors with reduced mobility.

The Plage naturiste du Peu Bernard extends for 500 meters along the Atlantic coast and is dedicated to naturism. This section of beach sits between natural dunes and the ocean. Access is via a footpath that leads through a pine forest.

Anneries Beach extends along the northern coast of the island over several hundred meters of fine sand. The natural dunes protect the hinterland and provide habitat for local flora. From here, one can observe the expanse of the Atlantic while the tides reshape the beach profile daily.

The Pointe du Grouin is a 19th-century military fortification located above a natural beach. This structure connects historical heritage with the coastal landscape and provides access to a quiet beach section surrounded by the remains of former defense structures.

Maison Quillet is a workshop dedicated to bookbinding and the restoration of old books. The craftspeople use traditional methods to work with leather and paper. Visitors can discover the different stages of the craft and observe the care taken with each piece.

This soap factory in Loix produces its products according to traditional artisanal methods. The manufacturing process uses regional raw materials from the island, including sea salt from the local salt marshes and algae from the Atlantic. The workshop is located in the village of Loix and provides insight into the different production stages of soap making.

L'Abeille de Ré is a beekeeping operation located in the village of Loix, producing local honey from various flowers found on the island. This apiary offers honey as well as other bee products including pollen, royal jelly, and propolis for sale. Visitors can learn about the work of bees and traditional honey production methods practiced here.

The bell tower of the Church of Saint-Martin has been converted into an observation point from which visitors can view the town, the harbour, and the historic fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. This structure provides an elevated position that offers wide views across the municipality and its surroundings.

The Citadelle Vauban is a 17th-century military fortification designed by the famous engineer. This star-shaped fort with six bastions served as a prison from the 19th century and housed inmates until 1938, before losing its military function. Today, the fortification is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as one of the fortifications of Vauban.

This covered market from the 13th century features massive stone columns supporting a red tiled roof. A daily market takes place here where vendors offer fresh vegetables, fish, oysters, and regional specialties from the island. The market hall is located in the historic center of La Flotte, just a few meters from the old harbor.

The Bois-Plage Market takes place daily and brings together numerous vendors offering fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, and regional products. The sellers present the characteristic products of Île de Ré, including oysters, potatoes, and salt from the salt marshes.

The Port of La Flotte is a medieval harbour where traditional fishing boats are moored. Along the cobbled quays, numerous restaurants specialising in seafood offer fresh local produce to visitors throughout the year.

The Fort de la Prée is a 17th-century military fortification constructed on a rocky promontory to control the eastern access to the Île de Ré. The structure features an inner courtyard and preserved ramparts that illustrate its strategic role in coastal defense.

The Musée du Platin preserves the maritime traditions of Île de Ré through a collection of historical objects from fishing, navigation, and shipbuilding. The exhibition documents the lives of island residents and their relationship with the sea across several centuries.