The Best to see and do on the Ile de Ré (France)

Do you know that the Île de Ré known as la blanca?

As soon as you cross the long bridge that connects the outskirts of the historic town of La Rochelle with the Île de Ré, on the Atlantic coast western France, you will realize the reason for this popular name.

Through this bridge you will access a small island where nature and charming towns combine, in which all the houses are white.

What the Ile de Ré is like in western France

La Île de Ré It is an idyllic vacation spot, ideal if you like nature and cycling excursions.

Indeed, with only 30 kilometers long and 5 km wide, it is an enclave that you can easily explore by bicycle.

Or to be more precise, if you go in the summer, it is almost the only way to visit it.

Its great attraction is a good example of the fact that this island, where barely 12.000 people live in winter, during the months of July and August attracts up to 200.000 visitors.

Therefore, in summer the long bridge becomes a toll access.

This invites a good part of the visitors to leave their cars parked on the mainland shore to cross by bus to the island, and then move around by bicycle.

Such massive use of the bicycle is facilitated because the Île de Ré It is completely flat, and to have a panoramic view of it you must climb to high points such as the top of the Whale Lighthouse.

Or to the bell tower of the church of Saint Martin de Ré, the main town on the island.

What to see when visiting the Ile de Ré

In the Île de Ré You will find green landscapes, very green, with the same lushness as on the Spanish Cantabrian coast, although without its mountains.

Donkeys from the Ile de Ré

And among nature you will be surprised to see donkeys with long manes; is about native donkeys that show characteristic long hair, as if from Dreadlocks It will be.

Did you know that until recently from April to November they were protected with pants!! to avoid insect bites during your work in the salt flats?

Salinas Ecomuseum on the Ile de Ré

Well yes, one of the characteristics of the Île de Ré They are its salt flats.

In the northeast area you can visit the Salinas Ecomuseum, where you will learn the history of the long salt tradition.

You will also find beaches with large sandbanks, with the characteristic large low tides of the western coast of France.

Y charming towns, with lively pedestrian streets and sometimes cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Or marinas, with terraces and restaurants with delicious cuisine, and charming hotels.

Of course, in the Île de RéWith severe urban restrictions, only white is allowed on the facades of the houses, which must have wooden doors and windows, as well as roller blinds in only three colors: green, blue and gray.

In the Île de Ré don't expect to find big hotels, nor resorts, nor large shopping centers.

For this reason it is said that some of its towns are from the most beautiful in France.

Saint Martin de Ré, beautiful town on the island of Ré

Saint Martin de Re, as I have already mentioned, is the main town on the island.

The first thing you will see when you visit is his citadel, the first one he built Vauban, famous marshal of France and military engineer of the 17th century.

In the second half of that century he raised in this area La Rochelle a series of fortifications that have been declared Heritage awarded by the Unesco.

Then I advise you to walk through the alleys of the old fishing district, between white and flowery houses, to reach the marina.

There you can enjoy its great atmosphere sitting on a terrace.

How to climb the Whale Lighthouse on the Ile de Ré

On your tour of this delicious island you should not miss reaching the westernmost point of it, the Whale Lighthouse.

You will find it at the west end of the Île de Ré, next to an old tower built in 1682 by order of Colbert, king's minister Louis XIV, which was the first to serve as a lighthouse.

Built in 1854, at 57 meters high it is also one of the tallest lighthouses in Europe, and the luminous surface covered by its light reaches 50 kilometers.

It is a lighthouse that you can visit and, above all, go up to the viewpoint at the top of the tower, from where you have excellent views. panoramic views of the Île de Ré.

Of course, take a breath because you will find yourself facing 257 steps that luckily are quite comfortable and which you ascend in a circular way.

Also, if you wish, you can visit a small museum next to the old tower of Colbert, where the history of lighthouses is shown with audiovisual animations.

El Whale Lighthouse Nowadays it has become one of the main tourist attractions on the island, with numerous restaurants and shops. remembrances in its surroundings.

Visiting hours of the Whale Lighthouse

The Visiting hours of the Whale Lighthouse on the Ile de Ré They are, from the end of June to the beginning of September, from 9,30:21 a.m. to XNUMX p.m.

In spring and September, the hours are from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m., and from October to March, between 10,30:17,30 a.m. and XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

Whale Lighthouse ticket prices

The ticket prices to go up to the Whale Lighthouse (2019) are, adults, 3,50 euros, and children from 7 to 12 years old, 2 euros.

If you also want to visit the museum, the joint ticket price is, respectively, 8 and 4 euros.

In short, an island that you could very well visit in one day, but to enjoy it I advise you to extend your stay.

Map: how to get to the Ile de Ré

La Île de Ré You find it on the Atlantic coast in western France, near the city of La Rochelle, west of Poitiers.