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We take a look at some of the essential information you will need before setting off on your holiday to the wonderful Ile de Ré, with tips on how to get there, when to visit and a list of some of the best local markets to visit.
Access to the island of Ré is straightforward: you can get there by car, boat, train and even plane.
By car: The car is the easiest and probably the most practical means of transport for families with children: a bridge links La Rochelle to the first village on the island, Rivedoux-Plage. Since 1 January 2012, there has been a toll, the price of which varies according to the season (from 8 to 16 euros). The journey time from Paris to the island of Ré is 4h30, from Nantes 1h45 and from Bordeaux 2h.
By boat: It is possible to go to the island of Ré by boat, by embarking from La Rochelle, for a trip to Saint-Martin. For boat owners wishing to book a place in one of the village's ports, you will find the necessary contact details below:
Port d'Ars : +33 (0)5 46 29 25 10 ou port.arsenre@mairie17.com
Port de La Flotte : +33 (0)5 46 09 67 66 ou portlaflotte@orange.fr
Port de Rivedoux-Plage : +33 (0)5 46 09 39 39 ou rivedoux-plage@mairiel7.com
Port de Saint-Martin : +33 (0)5 46 09 26 69 ou portsaintmartindere@wanadoo.fr
By air: It is possible to fly to Nantes or Bordeaux, then either hire a car and drive across the bridge or book a taxi. There is also an airport in La Rochelle with direct flights from Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, Ajaccio, Leeds, London, Manchester, Bristol, Geneva, Birmingham, Southampton, Brussels, Dublin and Porto. Once in La Rochelle, you can rent a car or book a taxi to get to the island.
By train: Another option may be to take the TGV Atlantique from Paris, Nantes or Bordeaux to La Rochelle. The journey from Paris to La Rochelle takes 3 hours.
Situated in the west of France, on the Atlantic coast, the Ile de Ré has a temperate ocean climate. June, July, August and September are the busiest months of the year, with many visitors from the capital, but they are also the most pleasant in terms of temperature. In July and August, temperatures can range from 18 to 25 degrees, with an average sea temperature of 20 degrees.
June and September are known to be the best months to visit the island: the atmosphere is calmer and the temperatures are mild.
Rivedoux plage: Open every morning in July and August, except Mondays between 15-30 June and 1-15 September, closed in January and on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the other months.
Sainte-Marie-Ré: These colourful and fragrant markets are pleasant to visit every day throughout the year, except on Mondays in the Place d'Antioche.
La Flotte: The markets of La Flotte are the most typical of the island and well worth a visit. They are open every day except Monday from 7.30am to 1pm (all year round).
Saint-Martin-de-Ré: These covered markets are located on the port. In July and August, you can visit them every day in the morning and late afternoon, and everyday except Mondays during the rest of the year.
Bois-plage-en-Ré: The markets in Bois-plage are the largest on the island and offer a wide variety of delicacies from fresh seafood to local items. They are half-covered and have games for children. They are open daily between April and September and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in low season.
La Couarde: La Couarde is home to two wonderful markets where you can find all manner of local produce. Every day of the year from 7.30am to 1pm.
Ars-en-Ré: The second largest markets on the island, but also the most "chic". They are open every day from April to September, and on Tuesdays and Fridays in low season.
Loix: The Loix market is the place to go for local crafts and to discover the typical products of the island of Ré, all year round from 7.30am to 1pm.
Les Portes-en-Ré: The market of Les Portes-en-Ré is the gastronomic centre of the island. It offers quality, local and fresh products. It is open every day from April to October.
