📷 Photo by Armand Khoury on UnsplashÎle de Ré
Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
A flat island of salt marshes, cycle paths and white villages, joined to La Rochelle by a toll bridge.
The Île de Ré is about 30 km long and 5 km wide, and is linked to La Rochelle by a 2.9 km bridge that opened in 1988. Cars pay a toll; cyclists cross the bridge free of charge. Salt pans reclaimed from the sea shape the island, and cycle paths run alongside the salt marshes between Ars-en-Ré and Les Portes-en-Ré. Saint-Martin-de-Ré was fortified by Vauban in 1681 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.
The island is easy to explore by bike, with plenty of hire shops. A day loop from La Couarde-sur-Mer via Ars-en-Ré and Les Portes-en-Ré to the Phare des Baleines lighthouse is around 40 km. Avoid windy days if you cross the bridge on foot or by bike (about an hour on foot). The toll depends on the season.
- Nearest town
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.2030, -1.3660
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© Another one of my pictures: This photograph was taken by Medium69 (William Crochot) and released under the license… · CC BY-SA 4.0Marais Poitevin at Coulon
© Andy Hay · CC BY 2.0Passage du Gois
© Jpcuvelier · CC BY-SA 4.0Citadel of Blaye
© Remi Mathis · CC BY-SA 4.0Fort Médoc
Campsites nearby
- Camping Les RempartsCampsite0 km from Île de Ré · 115 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Les MaraisesCampsite2 km from Île de RéTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- La GrainetièreCampsite2 km from Île de RéTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Le SuroîtCampsite3 km from Île de RéTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Les Amis de la PlageCampsite3 km from Île de Ré · 46 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Bel AirCampsite4 km from Île de RéTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Île de Ré?
Île de Ré is in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France, at GPS 46.2030, -1.3660. It is about 17 km from La Rochelle.
Can you camp near Île de Ré?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire de camping-cars à Saint-Martin de Ré, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 140 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Île de Ré?
Île de Ré is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: La Rochelle to the Dune du Pilat.
What is there to see near Île de Ré?
Places worth a stop nearby: Marais Poitevin at Coulon (61 km), Passage du Gois (99 km), Citadel of Blaye (131 km) and Fort Médoc (132 km).
When is the best time to visit Île de Ré?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)