On the southern facet of the island, in a Seventeenth-century constructing overlooking the harbor in La Flotte, chef Arthur Da Costa Adao and sommelier Louis Grizeau deliver their experience and twenty-something vitality to L’Écailler, crafting tasting menus and beverage pairings that make native merchandise sing—mackerel, meagre, mussels, the famed homard bleu (blue lobster), and extra, adorned merely however thoughtfully with seasonal produce. For now, it stays the solely Michelin-starred restaurant on Île de Ré.
Another must-visit is La Martinière, an Île de Ré ice cream establishment, which pays homage to native harvests with flavors like potato and oysters with seaweed praline (creamy, briny, and unusual, however value a style), plus crowd pleasers like caramel with fleur de sel (sea salt).
Where to keep in Île de Ré
Attesting to the island’s laid-back spirit, Île de Ré has an extended custom of tenting. Sites may be discovered throughout the island, from family-friendly favorites similar to Huttopia to extra design-forward stays. At the glamping finish of the spectrum is Le Phare, a boutique retreat in Les Portes-en-Ré, on the island’s wild northern tip. Nestled amongst dunes and salt marshes, its stylish seaside homes and cabins function light-filled interiors, pure supplies, and terraces that open onto wild landscapes. With the seaside simply steps away, heated swimming pools, bike leases, and nature-led experiences, it’s an excellent base for settling into the island’s relaxed rhythm.
By approach of lodging, Hôtel de Toiras occupies prime actual property in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, perched on the small port that’s the coronary heart of the island. While the exterior is straightforward and white-washed, the inside is sort of a lavish nation property, owing to the esteemed design eye of Pierre-Yves Rochon. Each room and suite, named after a unique historic determine, options distinctive decor gadgets. Mine, very “Marie Antoinette goes to the beach,” had canary-yellow and royal-blue Toile de Jouy wallpaper, and a crown-canopied mattress draped in matching, richly textured cloth. The port views and the claw-foot tub added to the seaside aristocratic really feel.
A brief stroll away, barely faraway from the commotion of the port, is Villa Clarisse. It’s an intimate nine-room property with a clear and ethereal Haussmannian really feel—white partitions and excessive ceilings; fireplaces topped with Louis XV mirrors. Guests are inspired to really feel at residence, with an honor-system apéro set-up for pouring champagne, mixing cocktails with native Citadelle gin, and snacking on sliced saucisson. The lush gardens, manicured but additionally a contact sauvage, have loads of recliners, and a crystalline pool simply begs for a fast dip. The wellness space has two areas for signature Olivier Claire physique and face therapies, and the studio provides yoga courses on Thursday mornings.
Also in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Hotel La Baronnie calls itself a “village within a village.” It’s an 18th-century property with 23 uniquely designed rooms and suites. Amenities embody the Bar 1721 and the island’s solely Cinq Mondes Spa, that includes a hydrotherapy pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and a curated menu of signature massages and coverings.
For a low-key, B&B-style keep, Le Secret has 5 vivid visitor rooms—understated with a mixture of classic decor—overlooking a lush backyard with a glossy swimming pool, olive timber, Japanese maples, and figs. The house owners are completely satisfied to organize in-room wellness therapies and massages on request, and share their insider data of Île de Ré.