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The fabulous Ile de Ré has long drawn visitors to its shores to witness the untamed beauty of its coastline, the timeless charm of its cobble-stone villages and the gentle pleasures of exploring its countryside by bike.
Easy to reach by air from London, or even by car for those looking to make an adventure of it, this pleasant island just off the coast of La Rochelle feels like something from a bygone era of France, in which cars are little more than a rumour and time only seems to exist when you hear the distant peeling of the church bells. As such, it represents a wonderfully laid-back holiday destination, perfect for visiting with the family.
Villanovo’s dedicated concierge, Amaya, takes a look at the best time to visit the wonderful Ile de Ré.
For the romantics among you, Spring represents a wonderful season to be outside, with the first, tentative stirrings of life returning after the long winter spent sheltered from the elements. If you are one such romantic, then a trip to the Ile de Ré, an island blessed with abundant natural beauty, is a fine place to witness nature’s waking up, with the island’s wildflowers and the local village flower markets chasing away the winter gloom. While spring also represents something of a boon for those with a keen interest in bird-watching, as many migratory birds stop off on the island during the spring.
For those of you who suffer during the winter months, counting down the days for the summer sun to arrive, the Ile de Ré may not be the first choice destination for an early spring holiday. Its position at a relatively high latitude and exposed position beside the Atlantic coast mean it takes a little longer to warm up than, say, Corsica or Marrakech. However, come the end of April, you can expect perfectly comfortable average highs of around 17/18 degrees - ideal for moderate outdoor activity, such as cycling or going for a walk in the forests or by the salt marshes. Yoga, tennis and golf are also popular at this time of year, and can be arranged through our concierge service.
Do prepare for the odd rainy day to interrupt your best laid plans but rest assured that out-of-season, any activities you might have booked will be far easier to rearrange.
It’s worth mentioning that the spring is also a good time to sample the local oysters, famed throughout France, and - if you’re feeling particularly decadent - the local ice cream, which has visitors queuing down the street in summer.
With the weather at its most reliably pleasant and the kids off school, summer is, of course, the most sought after time to visit the Ile de Ré. This may be seen as something of a double-edged sword by some, fearful that their idyllic green haven will be overrun by hordes of tourists. Allow us to temper those fears. Although July and August do see a great many Parisiennes flock to the sandy shores of the ile de Ré, whether due to the overwhelming lack of cars, or the ancient atmosphere that imbues its cobbled streets, the Ile de Ré loses little of its laid-back splendour during ‘peak season’. The number of visitors never climbs too high and those who arrive soon fall under the island’s spell rather than the other way around.
During the summer months you can expect average highs of around 24 degrees Celsius while the average chance of rain drops to a respectable 15%. That makes the summer a great time to pick up some cheese and charcuterie from the village butchers, a still-warm baguette from the bakery and find a nice spot to throw down a picnic blanket. This might be a good opportunity to discover the Biscuiterie de Ré in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré or pick up some jars of local preserve from Bruno Knevez in Le-Bois-Plage-en-Ré. The only downside, from a gastronomic perspective, is that summer is not a good time to savour the island’s famous fresh oysters.
Other activities, however, are open to you in the form of trips to the beach (which you’re never far from – the best beaches are in the south), hiring a bike and gliding along your pick of 100km of cycle paths, surfing (Plage de Gros Jonc near Le Bois Plage-en-Ré is our tip), and stand up paddle boarding. The summer also sees the vineyards in full bloom with opportunities to visit them and partake in a wine tasting session available through our local concierge. For those who like their travel rustic, we can arrange a one-and-a-half hour horse-ride (beginner level) which can lead you through the vineyards.
And if none of the above keep the kids entertained then consider downloading the Terra Aventura app with which children can discover all manner of things about the island through a treasure hunt game. There is also the option of visiting the La Java des Baleines, a meeting place for families and a paradise for children. A seasonal festival tent that is a bar, foodtruck, entertainment and leisure venue all in one. Other family activities, such as visiting a beehive and seeing how honey is made, can be organised through our concierge service.
Annual events that take place in summer include the Festival de Musique en Ré, a classical music festival held in late July and early August with venues dotted throughout the island.
With so many outdoor activities to keep you entertained, just remember to bring your sunscreen.
The arrival of the northern hemisphere autumn sees the summer crowds disperse, the temperature starts to climb back down (but not too much!) and fresh oysters reappear on the menu.
The Autumn temperature is similar to that of spring albeit with a slightly higher chance of rain – in other words, they’re clement enough to enjoy the outdoors during the day but you may prefer to be tucked up come the evening. Where it differs from the spring is in the sea temperatures, which will be slightly higher after months of warming under the summer sun. Therefore, surfers, kitesurfers and other board-sport enthusiasts may opt for autumn over spring as their shoulder season of choice. While, for those interested in catching their own seafood, sea-fishing trips can be arranged from Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
As an increasing number of holiday homes close their pretty green shutters until the following spring, however, you may decide to make the most of the slower pace of things and make some time for contemplation. This makes autumn a wonderful time to visit the island’s historical and architectural gems, such as the UNESCO-recognised Vauban-built fort of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the ruins of the 12th-century Abbey of Châteliers and the old Le Phare des Baleines in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, which offers a glorious view over the island. While the colourful turning of the leaves provides another fantastic spectacle.
Others may choose to take advantage of the laid back ambience to take in an art gallery, antique fair or visit an artisan workshop. We would recommend visiting the ceramic workshop of Clémentine Aguettant in Ars-en-Ré and taking a look at some of her beautiful creations and heading to Galerie Sophie Lemée in La Flotte, where you’ll find a fascinating display of contemporary photography, paintings and sculpture. It is also a great time to explore the best local restaurants without necessarily having to book in advance.
It takes a special kind of character to choose the winter for a holiday in the Ile de Ré. The temperatures drop and the island’s exposed coasts make for some chilly winds, while many of the shops and services open during the summer months have now battened down their hatches for the foreseeable. But for some of you, that’s exactly the point. The unspoiled nature of the Ile de Ré has something to offer in each season, especially for birdwatchers, and the peace and stillness that is hinted at during the shoulder months now becomes the norm. For writers, painters and those of a melancholic bent, winter on the Ile de Ré provides something that isn’t always available in the more popular winter destinations: a sense of perfect solitude.
People live on the island all year round, so a visit in winter represents an excellent opportunity to discover this pearl of the Charente-Maritime at its most authentic.
We at Villanovo are particularly fond of the Ile de Ré and have carefully selected a number of luxury villas and quaint holiday homes in the most sought-after areas of the island. Book a holiday in the Ile-de-Ré with us and benefit from the exclusive services of our dedicated concierge, who can assist in the planning and smooth-running of your ideal family break. Contact us today to find out more.
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