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The Île de Ré is a beloved French island offering a pastoral escape with quaint villages, wild beaches, and charming harbours. Its gentle pace and flat terrain make it ideal for cycling, with 110km of bike paths winding through salt marshes, pine woods, and scenic coastline. Cycling is the best way to enjoy the island’s unspoiled nature, cosy cafés, and fresh treats from local boulangeries—all while soaking in its timeless charm.
Given the island's reputation as a cycling haven, visitors will find plenty of hire shops offering bikes, helmets, and local advice on the best routes.
In peak season, prices may vary a lot and there are a great deal of people looking to discover the island by bike. We therefore advise booking your bikes in advance to avoid disappointment.
Les Portes en Re:
Ars en Ré:
Saint Clément des Baleines:
Sainte-Marie de Ré:
The Île de Ré has long been one of the favourite places for those seeking a tranquil escape, offering a delightful blend of rustic restaurants, charming shuttered houses, and its picturesque scenery. Its unspoiled landscapes feature wild sandy beaches mingling with tall grasses, creating an understated natural beauty best explored by bike. With its bike-friendly terrain—where the highest point rises just 19 meters above sea level—cycling is a leisurely yet immersive way to take in the island’s scenic charm without breaking a sweat. Perfect for adults and older children alike, a bike ride through Île de Ré is not only a journey through its idyllic countryside but also a well-earned excuse to indulge in the island’s local delicacies at the end of the day.
Once you're on the saddle, we have no doubt that you'll find the island's car-free bike paths a joy. We recommend the idyllic villages of Ars-en-Ré and Les Portes-en-Ré close to the salt marshes, as great starting points, with a 17km looped path between them providing an excellent opportunity to discover the gems of the northern part of the island, such as Baleines lighthouse. This area is also home to the 120 hectares of greenery that make up the Réserve Naturelle de Lilleau des Niges, where a brief pause and a picnic lends the opportunity to spot some of the local birdlife the island is famous for.
Further south, you might like to explore the area around Sainte-Marie-de-Ré and Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, where you can take in a long strip of wonderfully natural beach fronts, as well as stop off for a free tour of the local cooperative vineyards. Meanwhile, on the other side of the island the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the17th-Century Vauban fortifications of Saint Martin-en-Ré offer a different kind of cultural experience, with its ancient ramparts no doubt sparking the imaginations of the littlest ones. On the quay of the same village also features the famous La Martinière ice cream parlour, where all kinds of weird and wonderful flavours are on offer, including potato flavour! And just along the coast you can find the village of La Flotte, regarded as one of the prettiest places in all of France.
On the bike paths, information on Île de Ré's cycling routes is readily available at designated points. There are four of them, and they are very easy to access:
Sandpits - Rivedoux-Plage
Big Rush - Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré
Le Martray - Ars-en-Ré
La Maison du Fier - Les Portes-en-Ré
Meanwhile, for those who are a little tired or lost, the Vélo-Mouettes shuttles are on-hand to help you. Near each cycle info point, there is a Vélo-Mouette stop where shuttles stop to get to the next cycle info point. Each shuttle is equipped with a trailer that can transport your bike for the price of €1 per person only.
The South Gourmet Tour:
Designed for sports enthusiasts with a big appetite, this tour introduces you to the island's cuisine through more than ten gourmet stops.
The forest path circuit:
Ideal for a family outing, this path weaves through trees, over the dunes and by the sea.
The Vauban circuit:
For the most enthusiastic cyclists, the Vauban circuit allows you to discover the history of the island– conflicts between Catholics and Protestants or between French and English…
For a full list of itineraries, including maps, visit the island's official website.
Suffice to say, for a small island, the Île de Ré packs in a huge amount of history and natural beauty into its 85km², both of which have remained wonderfully intact. From the aforementioned Vauban fortifications and the old whaling lighthouse of Les Baleines to the 12th-century origins of the church of Sainte-Marie, the island is dripping with monuments to its storied past, many highlighting the traditionally tempestuous relationship between the Britons and France. .
Meanwhile, the splendour of its beaches, natural parks and country roads offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to participate in countless activities.
Beyond the obvious charms of its cycling routes, the Île de Ré provides a fantastic setting for those wishing to try their hand at windsurfing, paddle boarding, kitesurfing and canoeing. Everything you need to stay active on your stay just a few miles off the beautiful West Coast of France.
With VIllanovo, we turn your trip to Île de Ré into an unforgettable getaway. Our handpicked selection of luxury villas offers an exceptional setting in the island’s most sought-after locations, including Les Portes en Ré, Ars en Ré, Saint-Martin-en-Ré, and Le Bois-Plage en Ré. Each property is designed for ultimate comfort, featuring private pools, lush gardens, and jacuzzis. With many villas just steps from the beach, you’ll enjoy an idyllic retreat where elegance meets relaxation.
At Villanovo, we understand that every detail matters in creating the perfect vacation. Our luxury concierge service ensures a fully customised stay, from bicycle rentals to exclusive seafood tastings in one of the island's oyster farms. Whether you dream of a sunrise yoga session, a private horseback ride along the shore, or a gourmet barbecue at your villa, our team is dedicated to crafting unforgettable moments.
Discover Île de Ré in a new light with Villanovo—where luxury, serenity, and bespoke experiences come together for an extraordinary escape.
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