Just before things start heating up in Île de Ré for the summer season, we whisked ourselves away en famille for a spring weekend getaway to this charming little island off the west coast of France. Often referred to as the French Hamptons, Parisians flock here en mass each summer to holiday in this picturesque place and we can see why. It’s utterly charming! Villages with narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses with green, blue or grey shutters. Postcard ports, wild salt marshes teaming with thousands of birds (yes, a total birdwatcher’s dream!) and vast sandy stretches of beach fringed by delicious smelling pine forests. Dreamy oyster cabanes where you can gorge endlessly on the freshest catches of the day while guzzling down glass after glass…let us rephrase that…cravat after cravat of cold white wine. The best way of getting around is by bicycle. Firstly, it’s just way more fun, and secondly you get to see more of the island! Head to one of the village’s morning markets and fill up a basket with the juiciest peaches you’ve ever tasted, fresh baguettes (you’re in France after all!), lovely cheeses, marinated anchovies, pickled garlic, slices of salami or cured hams and of course a bottle or two of red.

Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Our room at Le Corps de Garde

Digging in at our favourite oyster cabane La Cabane du Feneau in La Couarde-sur-Mer 

Off-roading around the famous salt marshes of Loix

Loix

Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Breakfast at Le Corps de Garde

The lobby at Le Corps de Garde

La Couarde-sur-Mer

La Flotte

La Flotte

La Flotte

The courtyard at L'Hôtel de Toiras

The lobby at L’Hôtel de Toiras

Delicious lunch at La Baleine Bleue in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, one of our favourite restaurants on the island 

Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Ars-en-Ré morning market 

Ars-en-Ré morning market selling the juiciest peaches ever

Ars-en-Ré morning market - they make excellent picnic baskets! 

Ars-en-Ré morning market 

View from our room at Hôtel Le Sénéchal 

Our bedroom at Hôtel Le Sénéchal

Ars-en-Ré 

Saint-Clément-des-Baleines

Le Phare des Baleines

Les Portes-en-Ré

Picnic on Plage de Trousse-Chemise

Plage de la Conche des Baleines

'The Loft' at Hôtel Le Sénéchal

'The Loft' at Hôtel Le Sénéchal

Plage de la Conche des Baleines

Saint-Clément-des-Baleines

Plage de la Conche des Baleines

Bicycles and roses

Ars-en-Ré