Île de Ré, France

Île de Ré would have to be the Parisian's best kept secret yet. There is something oddly elegant about this french island and its beautifully preserved landscapes. Île de Ré is located off the west coast of France near La Rochelle, on the northern side of the Pertuis d'Antioche strait. It attracts wealthy Parisians and British holidaymakers all year around, but of course the island is in its prime in the summer. 

Île de Ré has more than 60 miles of bike paths therefore making it the ideal place for bicycle enthusiasts. Forget about your car as bikes are the main mode of transport used to go to the markets, do the shopping or have a drink in the café. During the summer seasons, most village centres are closed to traffic. The bike routes also allow you to discover the many faces of the regions and the variety of its landscapes at your own pace: countryside and forest alternative with marshland and coastline among which historic vestiges and remarkable monuments can be viewed. Today most of the island's natural resources are now nature reserves such as vineyards, forests and salt marshes. 

The island has a mixture of accommodation options; camping sites, mobile homes, hotels, or holiday homes. I stayed at Camping Les Varennes in a mobile home located in Les Bois-Plage Village for 2 weeks. This campsite is one of the best reviewed on the island, has great facilities and is very well located - 300 meters from Gros Jonc Beach, 5 minute cycle/10 minute walk to the village centre and within cycling distance to all the other villages. Here is the link for more information: http://www.les-varennes.com

This little Altantic-coast island of dunes and pine forest is home to 10 oh-so-chic harbour villages. My favourite villages were Saint Martin, La Flotte, Ars-en Ré and La Couarde. In summer all the villages have daily markets and village fairs for the kids. 

Saint-Martin-de-Rè

Situated in the centre of the island, Saint Martin is the capital of Île de Ré. The village centre is livened up in houses steeped in history, terraces outside cafés to discuss and dream, a port where fisherman and sailors meet in a friendly atmosphere. Saint-Martin has some of the most beautiful chic boutiques and restaurants one the whole island. La-Martiniere is definitely worth a visit if you love ice-cream - the best ice-cream on the island!

La Flotte

In the 19th century La Flotte was a tuna-fishing port. Every spring around a hundred boats would gather for the year's harvest from the sea. It seems a little difficult to picture nowadays as the village is so peaceful. La Flotte presents an interest contract between the grand houses along the quays and the maze of terraced cottages behind them. La Flotte is best described as a mini version of Saint-Martin while lovely restaurants, cafés and a few shops. 

Ars-en Ré

Ars-en Reé is one of the most beautiful villages on the island. The old port at Ars, built for the salt trade, todays welcomes modern yachts as well as old sloops and ketches. Ars-en Ré is surrounded by salt marshes where the salt maker still uses the old wooden tools to collect the salt. The markets at Ars, which featured fresh fruit, food delis and clothes, would have to be the biggest but the best on the island - highly recommend visiting.

La Couarde sur Mer

La Couarde has a very different feel to the other 3 villages I fell in love with as it does not have a harbour but rather a beautiful golden sand beach. The heart of the town has a seaside resort feel and is the centre of the town life, particularly with the bandstand producing a buzz of activity. This bandstand is the only one on the island and hosts open-air concerts during all the summer season. The shopping at La Courade would have been my favourite on the entire island.