Best of Ile de Re

Île de Ré Essentials

Île de Ré, located off the French Atlantic coast, is characterized by its salt marshes, coastal fortifications, and distinct architecture. This selection covers the UNESCO-listed 17th-century fortifications by Vauban in Saint-Martin-de-Ré and the iconic black-and-white church spire of Ars-en-Ré, which serves as a navigational landmark. The list includes the ruins of the 12th-century Cistercian Châteliers Abbey, the medieval market of La Flotte, and the salt marsh eco-museum, highlighting the island’s maritime history and traditional salt production.

Île de Ré Essentials — Map

A

La citadelle el l’enceinte de Saint-Martin-de-Ré

UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Vauban in the 17th century. The star-shaped fortifications include a citadel and over 12 kilometers of walls built to defend the island and its strategic port.

Neizham / CC BY-SA 2.5

B

Église Saint-Etienne

Romanesque and Gothic church featuring a distinctive 40-meter black-and-white painted spire. Historically used as a landmark for sailors, the structure dates back to the 12th century.

C

Ancienne abbaye Notre-Dame de Ré, dite des Châteliers

Ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. Once one of the wealthiest abbeys in the region, the site features remains of the Gothic church destroyed during the Wars of Religion.

Arnaud 25 / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Église Saint-Martin

Fortified parish church rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. The bell tower offers panoramic views of the town’s UNESCO-listed fortifications and the Atlantic coastline.

Francois Voerpa / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Fort de La Prée

Fort de La Prée, built in 1625, is located near the eastern end of the Île de Ré, in France.

F

Plage de la Conche des baleines

The island's largest sandy beach, stretching from the Phare des Baleines to Les Portes-en-Ré. It is bordered by pine forests and sand dunes on the northwestern coast.

G

Ecomusée du Marais Salant

Outdoor museum detailing the history and technique of salt harvesting. It features active salt pans where visitors can observe traditional methods used by local salt workers.

H

Marché médiéval

Traditional marketplace in La Flotte featuring a courtyard with covered wooden stalls. Built in a medieval architectural style, it hosts daily vendors selling regional produce and seafood.

I

Ernest Cognacq Museum

The Ernest Cognacq Museum is a French regional history museum, located in the city of Saint Martin de Ré, Île de Ré, France.

J

Fier d'Ars

An 800-hectare bay and natural reserve comprising salt marshes and mudflats. It is a significant habitat for migratory birds and a center for local oyster cultivation.

Other Lists

Best Beaches Historic Churches of Île de Ré Historic Sites of Île de Ré Best Campsites on Île de Ré