Hi--I'm spending some time in La Rochelle in April, and I'd like to do a day trip to Ile de Re. I won't have a car. It looks as though taking the bus or ferry would get me there, but I'm looking for recommendations for getting around Ile de Re. Or, if you know of a good tour, I'd be interested in that. Thanks!
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3645 posts
The best way to tour Île de Ré is by renting a bike. Everyone does it that way there. Île de Ré is full of bike rental shops.
Posted by
Maryland
148 posts
We were there a few years ago and actually are going again in May. Definity rent a bike, it's the best way to get around and on many of the trails - the ONLY way to get around.
Posted by
Rochester, NY
45 posts
Just a note thanking you for the question - we'll be there in May and want to explore the area as well. Perhaps a hidden gem!
Posted by
Washington DC
30417 posts
There's a small shop in La Rochelle selling artisan chocolates and macarons. Worth a stop. https://cacaomacarons.com/ Open 11 AM to 7 PM but closed on Sunday and Monday.
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3645 posts
The Île de Ré isn't exactly a "hidden" gem, it's one of the most well-known places in France for chic holidays. A favorite destination for Parisian hipsters and artists. I used to go there from time to time to visit some French actors, many of whom have second homes there, and a friend who runs a major fashion magazine.
It's worth mentioning that the island has its own dress codes. a blend of chic and laid-back styles, designer pieces, vintage treasures and artisanal finds. You'll often see outfits featuring straw hats, lightweight linen attire, and a delicate scarf draped around the neck. And don’t forget to bring along a small wicker basket for your shopping adventures!
The neighboring Île d'Oléron offers a more relaxed dress code; is cheaper and also accessible via a bridge which is free (unlike the bridge to Île de Ré with its €16 toll).
Posted by
62 posts
Hi This dress code isn't mandatory on Île de Ré 😄, and you mostly notice it in Saint-Martin-de-Ré or Ars-en-Ré, and especially on weekends, outside of peak season. In the summer, it's just overrun with tourists on bikes! And there are villages that are spared, like Rivedoux, for example, where you'll find the younger crowd from La Rochelle. And there are a lot of oyster beds, so there's also a working-class population.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
627 posts
I really love Île de Ré. It reminds me of Nantucket, only French. Renting bikes, as was mentioned, is the way to go. Bike rental shops are plentiful. We've just shown up without reservations and easily rented bikes. There are bike paths all around the island. A fun way to spend the day!
Posted by
Rochester, NY
45 posts
The area is certainly a "hidden gem" to me since most of the guidebooks in the US completely ignore it (including R. Steves). So I'm thankful for these comments, although I could never approach or worry about Parisian-chic style!
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3645 posts
most of the guidebooks in the US completely ignore it (including R.
Steves).
I don't think Rick Steves' guide attempts to cover the entirety of France, it focuses on a selection of key locations including some iconic spots. Even when he highlights specific regions, he only scratches the surface of what’s available.
Just like no guidebook can claim to cover the whole USA comprehensively, it’s unrealistic to expect any guide, be it Rick Steves’ or another, to encompass all of France.
As for Île de Ré, I checked on Amazon and found over 100 travel guides specifically for this island, with around fifteen available in English.
And if the fashionable Parisian vibe isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to enjoy next door on Île d’Oléron, the largest island in France after Corsica. It’s just as renowned as Île de Ré, but with a more laid-back charm, often referred to as "La Lumineuse" (The luminous one).