Dogs love the beach! But it’s important to know which beaches our animal friends are allowed on.
– Rivedoux-Plage
Dogs are tolerated from 8pm to 10am on the other beaches (Plage du Défend and Plage Nord, excluding the Promenade Théodore Porsain) provided they are kept on a lead.
From 1st June to 30 September: day and night bans on the south beach (from the bridge to Pas de la Fontaine) and on the north beach (promenade Théodore Porsain).
– Sainte-Marie-de-Ré
Access is only permitted from 1 October to 31 March.
– Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré
Dogs are allowed on Les Gouillauds beach (between Les Grenettes and Gros Jonc).
Plage des Batteries: dogs are allowed on the 100 m stretch to the west of the beach.
- Dogs are tolerated on all beaches from 1 October to 31 March, on a lead and under their owner’s responsibility.
Total ban from 1st April to 30 September (Article 17 of 12/2010) on the length of Gros Jonc beach extending to Petit Sergent beach.
Stray pets will be seized and taken to theAssociation de Protection des Animaux Rétais (APAR). Guide dogs for the disabled and rescue dogs are permitted all year round on all the beaches in Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré.
– La Couarde-sur-Mer
Total ban from 1st June to 30 September.
– Ars-en-Ré
Access is authorised from 1st October to 31st May on Plage de la Grange.
Access to the Martray, Marielle, Pointe de Grignon and Radia beaches is authorised from 1st September to 31st June.
– Saint-Clément-des-Baleines
Access is authorised to the Conche des Baleines beach and the Côte Sauvage beach.
Access is authorised from 7pm to 9am from 15 June to 15 September .
– Les Portes-en-Ré
Prohibited from 10am to 8pm, authorised before and after (from 1st June to 30 September) – Authorised without restrictions the rest of the year.
– La Flotte / Saint-Martin-de-Ré / Loix
Animals are banned all year round
Guide or assistance dogs:
These dogs are allowed access to public areas such as all the beaches on the Ile de Ré. As the dog’s owner, you simply need to be in possession of a disability card, an instructor’s certificate or a “foster family” card for training the dog. Experienced dogs and dogs in training have the same rights (if accompanied by their trainer).
For more information on the accessibility of guide dogs, please refer to the official link here.
Why are dogs banned from beaches?
Dogs are often banned from beaches for health and safety reasons. They are also banned because of the unfortunate and abusive behaviour of some owners in the past. But did you know that our friends the dogs, when they run on the beach or leave their faeces there, cause serious problems for wildlife? Keeping your dog on a lead, and taking a short diversions in front of a flock of birds to leave them alone, means preserving the future beauty of our beaches.
For example, Gravelots, small birds that have become rare, nest at the top of beaches and lay their eggs in the sand, which makes them very vulnerable. Walkers and dogs are all sources of disturbance that can destroy their broods.
Other birds prepare for their migrations by feeding on the foreshore, so it’s important to leave them alone to gather strength in preparation for their long journey 🙂
Here is also a selection of nice sites, easily accessible with a dog on a lead 🙂
(You can admire certain monuments from the outside and walk around them, even if access to the inside is forbidden to dogs, such as the Baleines lighthouse, Fort La Prée and the churches).
