ÎLE DE RÉ
NATURAL STATE.
The perpetual bliss of Île de Ré, when I think of this little Island off the coast of La Rochelle, France; that is the title that sits in my mind. If you want to feel like a kid again, come to Île de Ré, where you ride bikes all day and the oysters are your best friends, until you slurp them….. This long and winding road is an endless path of white stucco homes no more than two stories with light blue shutters draped in local flowers. You rise in the morning, grab a basket from the front door of your rented home, or ask your hotel for one and hit the markets on your bike to purchase olives, vegetables, fresh fish, and local goods. I bought some of the finest linen sheets here, and some of the best sea salt in the world. As you traverse the island in your bike, you are led to little seaside restaurants and inland cafés. Time seems to stop in this quaint but inspiring village, and in this fast paced and exponential world, isn’t that what we need? To stop for a second and smell the roses, or the gladiolas, or the honey, or the salt? So plan to rest for a while here, and stay salty.
DO. THE VILLAGE BICYCLE
Go Bike Île de Ré, 11 Rue de Hurle Vent, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
Plage du Petit Bec, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
Plage du Lizay, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
La Réserve naturelle nationale de Lilleau des Nige, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
Ilê de Ré Sailing - School of La Couarde sur Mer, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer, France
Ré Tennis Club, 4 Route de Gros Jonc, 17580 Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, France
Ernest Cognac Museum, 13 Avenue Victor Bouthillier, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
Marché de la Flotte, Unnamed Road, 17630 La Flotte, France
The Vauban Fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France Unesco World Heritage Site!!
Phare des Baleines, 155 Allée du Phare, 17590 Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, France
EAT. LIKE A MERMAID
La Cabane de la Patache, 15bis Route de la Patache, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France take the house white wine and enjoy the crustaceans
Chasse-Marée, 1 Rue Jules David, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France elegant space for dinner everything is delicious don’t forget desert!
Le Tout du Cru, 9 Quai Job Foran, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France cool environment, great razor clams
SHOP. SALTY
A La Quichenotte, 8 Rue de l'Église, 17580 Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, France quaint old bookstore
Le jardin de Lydie, 23 Place de l'Église, 17580 Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, France natural food stores with jams and additional items to take home!
Place du Sel, 8 Pl. Victor Dron, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
La Draperie Française, 17 Rue Jules David, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
De Breda-Randu Aude, 17 Rue Jules David, 17880 Les Portes-en-Ré, France
Un Dimanche à La Mer, La FR, 1 Route de Saint-Martin, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer, France
Fromagerie Chèvrerie Lefort, Chemin du Corps de Garde, 17111 Loix, France
The Honey Bee Re / Beekeeper - Producer, 15 Chemin du Corps de Garde, 17111 Loix, France
STAY. IN GOOD COMPANY
Hotel De Toiras, 1 Quai Job Foran, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
La Baronnie Hotel & Spa, 21 Rue Baron de Chantal, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
Villa Clarisse - Relais Châteaux, 5 Rue du Général Lapasset, 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
Private Room in Gorgeous Home, Chambre Ronsard on Airbnb
Cabana for 2 on Airbnb
Cutie with Green Doors for 4 on Airbnb
Camping L'Océan, 50 Route d'Ars, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer, France campground near the ocean!
