Frequently asked questions

Île de Ré is famous for its Phare des Baleines lighthouse, but it has much more to offer.

Find out more about the must-see sites on Ile de Ré.

Treasure hunts, bike rides, guided tours, nature and wildlife activities, water sports… There’s something for everyone.

Find out more about family activities and events.

Île de Ré is well-known for its picturesque villages, historic heritage and beaches, but that’s not all.

The south of the island features vineyards, forests and long beaches, notably at La Couarde and Le Bois-Plage, as well as authentic villages such as La Flotte and Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

The north of the island is wilder, with beaches surrounded by forests, and the famous salt marshes, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Île de Ré is full of ever-changing landscapes, and in just a few kilometres you can move from one to the next.

For a weekend, we recommend visiting the villages of La Flotte, Saint-Martin-de-Ré and Ars-en-Ré, visiting the Phare des Baleines lighthouse and the salt marshes.

Of course, it all depends on your interests and what you want to see.

Read our must-see sites on Île de Ré page to help you choose.

There are many excursions to choose from, and all the information is available at the tourist office. Whether by catamaran or motorboat, for a short excursion or a day trip, there’s something for everyone.

Find out more about boat trips on Île de Ré.

Île d’Oléron is larger than Île de Ré and, overall, wilder.

Île de Ré is famous for its oysters and salt, while Île d’Oléron is famous for its mussels, fish and oysters.

The best thing to do is experience both islands for yourself. You don’t need to choose between them – simply enjoy them both, in your own way!

Of course, Île de Ré has a number of surf spots, some better suited to experienced surfers and others perfectly accessible for beginners.

Find out more about the different surf spots on Île de Ré.

Yes, on foot or by bike, guided tours are available in several villages on the island.

Find out about the next guided tours on Île de Ré organised by the tourist office.

Every year, the tourist office publishes a range of practical brochures: an accessibility guide, a family guide, a map of cycle routes, an Île de Ré pocket guide, a tide times calendar, our ‘Instants’ magazine, an accommodation guide and maps of the island’s 10 villages.

Discover the tourist brochures to accompany you during your stay.

Yes, before you come to Île de Ré, simply contact the tourist office to receive any brochures you need.

You can also order brochures online here.

We don’t print any brochures about our events, but we can send you a personalised digital travel guide (Roadbook) with a list of events. It is updated automatically throughout the year, giving you the latest information each time you open it.

Why not also request information about market days, restaurants, a selection of activities, etc.?

Contact us for more information!

All our brochures are free of charge and available at all 10 Destination Île de Ré tourist offices.

You can also browse the tourist brochures online.

Destination Île de Ré encourages the recycling of its brochures.

Recycling boxes are available in all tourist offices, giving brochures a second life where possible, and helping minimise paper consumption.

Yes, there are motorhome parking areas on Île de Ré and campsites with special pitches for motorhomes.

Click here to find all the motorhome parking areas on Île de Ré.

Yes, but there are restrictions on dog access to beaches, and not all beaches accept dogs.

We recommend consulting the regulations for dogs on beaches on Île de Ré.

You’ll find a tourist office in each of the island’s 10 villages, where our tourist information officers are on hand to help you make the most of your stay. In high season, you’ll also find bicycle-towed mobile information points across the island.

Click here for the opening times of the 10 tourist offices on Île de Ré.

There are no taxi ranks on Île de Ré, only independent taxis.

Remember to book your taxi as far in advance as possible when travelling to and from the island.

Click here for a list of our partner taxis.

You’ll find local markets for fruit, vegetables and seasonal produce, as well as grocery stores and supermarkets in every village.

Click here for a list of food shops on Île de Ré.

Some beaches on Île de Ré are supervised from morning to evening. See the Ile de Ré beaches page for more information on lifeguarded beaches.

All tourist offices on Île de Ré offer a free Wi-Fi connection.

We also recommend asking your accommodation provider whether they offer Wi-Fi.

Click here for a list of Wi-Fi points on Île de Ré.

Yes, bike rental is available in every village on the island.

Find the list of partner bike rental companies here.

Of course, many tourist sites (restaurants, accommodation, visitor sites) are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Destination Île de Ré holds the ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ certification, which helps people with reduced mobility enjoy their stay, with a range of services adapted to everyone’s needs.

Consult our accessibility guide for advice and personalised offers, and the ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ website to find out which activities and establishments have been awarded the certification.

Destination Île de Ré is committed to developing an adapted tourism offering through the ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ certification.

This certification covers all four main types of reduced mobility (hearing impairment, behavioural and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and visual impairment).

All 10 tourist offices hold the ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ certification for all four types of reduced mobility, with the exception of Ars-en-Ré (hearing impairment, behavioural and developmental disabilities and physical disabilities).

Find out more about the ‘Tourisme & Handicap’  certification.

Absolutely. Île de Ré is the ideal destination for families.

Destination Île de Ré holds the ‘Famille Plus’, certification, a benchmark quality standard for families and children, guaranteeing excellent facilities and services.

Find our ‘Family Plus’ guide guide here.

Of course! For several years now, the Île de Ré Community of Municipalities and the Charente-Maritime département have been providing a free local service to help people without a car get around, go shopping, attend medical and administrative appointments, etc.

Find out more about RespiRé transport on demand.