Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Fortified commune on Île de Ré, France
Saint-Martin-de-Ré is a fortified commune on Île de Ré on the French Atlantic coast with stone ramparts encircling the town center and a harbor filled with boats at the northern shore. The settlement features narrow streets, historic buildings, and an active port for visitors to explore.
The defensive structures were designed by engineer Vauban between 1681 and 1685 and received UNESCO World Heritage recognition in 2008 for their military architecture. These fortifications represent France's strategic efforts to secure its Atlantic coast during that era.
The harbor district features numerous restaurants serving regional seafood dishes, while local markets display products from traditional producers of Île de Ré. Visitors experience the daily connection between residents and the sea that defines life here.
The area features extensive bicycle paths connecting to other island destinations, with rental services available throughout the central district. The flat terrain of the island makes cycling an enjoyable way to explore the surroundings.
Between 1873 and 1938, a local prison facility operated here processing convicts before their deportation to penal colonies in French Guiana and New Caledonia. This lesser-known chapter reveals an unexpected part of the settlement's past.
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Citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
676 m
Port de Saint-Martin-de-Ré
378 m
Église Saint-Martin de Saint-Martin-de-Ré
65 m
Maison centrale de Saint-Martin-de-Ré
519 m
Ernest Cognacq Museum
304 m
City walls of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
0 m
Temple protestant de Saint-Martin-de-Ré
205 m
Maison de la Vinatrie
191 m
Hôtel des Cadets
137 m
Demeure
186 m
Hôpital Saint-Honoré de Saint-Martin-de-Ré
198 mLogis de la Baronnie
88 m
Clocher Observatoire de Saint-Martin en Ré
75 m
Hôtel de Clerjotte
289 mScenic viewpoint
478 mScenic viewpoint
580 mLes abeilles n°1
455 mLe miel n°2
103 mGalerie Glineur
158 mLe baiser
334 mLes saumons n°1
319 mLe campagnol n°1
342 mSaint Martin de Ré
194 mLa lecture
320 mNicolas Baudin
322 mWayside cross
664 mWayside cross
1.8 kmPorte de Secours
866 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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