A family weekend in low-carbon mode

Distance: 23 km by bus – 1 hour / 3.5 km on foot – 40 minutes in total for the day

Once you have arrived at La Rochelle station, a one-hour bus ride will take you to Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the historic capital of Île de Ré. Organised around its port and protected by its fortified Vauban ramparts, this village is a must-see for locals and visitors.

After a delicious lunch, a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed fortifications will take your mind off everyday life. Spend the afternoon playing mini-golf as a family in the Barbette Park overlooking the sea, or, depending on the weather, discover the many activities for children, and the exhibitions retracing the history of the island at Musée Ernest Cognacq… Alternatively, relax at the AquaRé water park.

Distance: approx. 15 km by bicycle – 1 hour in total for the day

A fifteen-minute bicycle ride will take you to La Flotte, a village classed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’. Visit Musée du Platin, which offers a wide range of activities for children, enabling them to discover the arts and traditions of Île de Ré. It is enough to make you a real expert!

To build up an appetite, go to La Flotte’s medieval-inspired market, which is also a must-see! Have lunch, infused with local flavours, in the heart of this flower-filled village.

Then cycle back to Fort la Prée, the oldest fortification on Île de Ré. On site, take part in an escape game or treasure hunt to become a real adventurer as you attack the fort with its many hiding places… On your way there, catch a glimpse of Abbaye des Châteliers, the island’s oldest religious building, a witness to the island’s history.

Distance: approx. 20 km by bicycle / 6.5 km on foot – between 2h and 3h / 23 km by bus – 1 hour

Spend the third and final day immersed in nature, in the heart of the salt marshes. To reach the salt marshes, take a 30-minute bicycle ride through an unspoilt natural area, where you will meet many of the marsh’s bird species.

Once there, the Tèrra Aventura geocaching treasure hunt (‘Ré, une note de mystère’) takes you on a 6.5 km circuit on foot through the salt marshes. Learn more about the famous ‘white gold’, as salt was known.

If you find Zohée (the Tèrra Aventura character), you have won! Celebrate with a delicious break in the main square of the small village of Loix, in a family-run, environmentally-responsible restaurant. Enjoy the festive, friendly atmosphere!

To round off your stay, do not miss the guided tour of L’Abeille de Ré where artisan honey is made. Learn all about the fabulous world of bees, and take some anecdotes and souvenirs home in your suitcase!