Discovering the Île de Ré

This first loop can be done by bike, starting from Ars. Count on 20-25 km considering the fact that you will inevitably stroll through the superb villages and the beautiful Lizay forest that you will cross. Ars, due to its central position, is a good location for this first night.

• Start your visit with the village of Ars, with its church (Saint Étienne) whose black and white spire is visible from afar on the northern part of the island. A village that is both chic and simple, botanical and marine… so many paradoxes that give it crazy charm, and authenticity
• Leaving the village, take the direction of Saint Clément and turn right after 3km to cross by bike or on foot the Lilleau-des-Niges nature reserve. There you’ll discover two environments inhabited by numerous bird species: former salt marshes surrounded by grassy “bumps,” and on the sea side a succession of natural salt meadows and mudflats, covered at high tide. The Maison du Fier, at its end, houses an eco-museum dedicated to the natural heritage of the island
• If a walk to the eastern tip of Les Portes en Ré, with the Trousse-chemise forest and the Patache mooring are worth the detour, it’s really its western part, with the Lizay forest and the superb Conche beach, that will remain in your memories. Simply superb landscapes
• Continue to Saint Clément des Baleines, and its lighthouse, a sentinel posted at the end of the island. Panorama not to be missed from the top of the lighthouse!

Several possibilities for the night:

• The die-hard wild campers will opt for one of the many paths that end at the ocean (Pointe de Grignon road for example)
• Others will go straight to one of the local campsites, Camping Essi for example, very well located!

This second cycling circuit, also in a loop, takes you into the heart of the marshes and lets you discover the Loix peninsula, a true island within the island, which has managed to stay away from tourist development.

The departure can be from Port du Goisil:

• Head west until the intersection of the bike paths, then turn right towards (North) Loix to cross the marsh road, up to the Moulin du Passage (17th century tide mill), the most beautiful on the island
• From the mill, continue towards Loix and Pointe de Grouin. The beach of the same name is one of the quietest on the island
• From Loix, follow the path westward, which passes by the salt marsh eco-museum. This small living museum traces the history of salt that made the island’s fortune
• Return through the marshes towards the South, then at the intersection turn left to return to Goisil.

For your evening, we suggest a very nice walking tour in the “capital of the island,” Saint Martin de Ré. You can admire its imposing star-shaped surrounding walls and its lively center (very busy in summer) with numerous bars, restaurants, and shops. Our best find for tasting excellent seafood: Le Tout du Cru, an oyster bar and seafood restaurant in the center. A slightly daring name, but dare!

Several possibilities for the night:

• We’ve tested, off-season, the parking lot at Citadelle beach. A stone’s throw from Saint Martin, quiet, and super nice! But don’t spread the word…
• Best suggestion from our partner Park4Night: a free parking lot – 3 Route de la Couarde.
• For those who prefer camping, the municipal campsite – 1-9 Rue du Rempart.

Impossible not to end with a visit to La Rochelle, with its famous towers, its old port, and its medieval streets. Not to mention its aquarium, one of the most beautiful in Europe (we preferred it to those in Barcelona, Valencia…).

• The old port district: of course you won’t miss strolling around the Saint Nicolas and Lanterne towers, and the Quai Duperré. Once again, the aquarium is really worth a visit….
• The Saint Nicolas district: stuck between the port and the Maubec canal, this islet is full of charm and fantasy. Explore its main artery, Rue Saint Nicolas (pedestrian street), with its friendly shops and restaurants.
• The historic center, north of the old port, is delimited by medieval fortifications. The town hall district, the market (especially Wednesday and Saturday), Rue des Merciers (the oldest shopping street in the city) are not to be missed.

Marshes with abundant wildlife, forests, beaches, flowery villages, and ports: you can only be amazed by this jewel of Charente-Maritime on the Atlantic coast, with a mild climate all year round! Don’t hesitate to extend your pleasure to do it in 3 or 4 days, to have time to stroll, and to visit La Rochelle and, for young and old alike, its superb aquarium.