At a glance
Take in the beauty of Saint-Martin-de-Ré from above. When you reach the top of its observatory bell tower, an exceptional panorama awaits you. Awe-inspiring!
Taking in the sights at Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Saint-Martin’s harbor, alleyways and Vauban fortifications invite you to step back in time. The church is an adventure in itself. From the top of its 117 steps, the observatory bell tower offers a unique panoramic view of the fortified village, the island of Ré and even the islands of Aix and Oléron, with Fort Boyard at the center when the sky is clear.
The summit of Saint-Martin-de-Ré unveils a magical universe of the Vauban town’s rich heritage, where gargoyles and statues converse in silence. It’s one of the most enchanting viewpoints in the entire destination.
It’s up to you to decide which you find most impressive, with the Baleines lighthouse also well worth a detour!
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Vue Mer Depuis Clocher Observatoire Saint Martin Ile De Re Alizee RusseilVue Mer Depuis Clocher Observatoire Saint Martin Ile De Re Alizee Russeil|
Where to begin your visit
Destroyed time and again, rebuilt time and again – that’s what you see when you begin your visit to the church of Saint-Martin.
Start by walking around the church to get a good feel for its remarkable dimensions. Then enter to soak up its grandiose atmosphere. Finally, climb to the top of the bell tower, an architectural legacy from the time when the church was fortified.
On your way to the top, you’ll see its three bells and the entire mechanism that rings them, perhaps even in action, before falling over yourself once you’ve climbed the last few steps.
Did you know?
In 1696, angry at their failure to conquer the village once again, an Anglo-Dutch fleet fired on one of the only things visible from the sea: the bell tower.
A bell tower with many charms depending on the time of day
A visit during the day is a spontaneous experience. The light is often well-balanced, making it possible to take beautiful shots from an exceptional vantage point.
But if you want to add a touch of magic to your contemplation of the horizon, opt for sunset, when everything is orange, with warmer colors and a formidable vantage point on this enchanting spectacle. Try it at night too, when Saint-Martin is decked out in its most beautiful lights!
Prepare your visit
The churches of Ile de Ré
There are 9 other equally charming churches on the Ile de Ré:
- The church at Rivedoux-Plage: the most modern of all, with a charm that combines contemporary and traditional elements.
- Sainte-Marie-de-Ré church: impressive, with a bell tower that can be visited in summer.
- La Flotte church : boasts listed stained-glass windows and a bell donated by Cardinal de Richelieu.
- Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré church: an atypical shape due to its location in an already-developed urban fabric.
- La Couarde-sur-Mer church: an azure ceiling with a surprising inscription on the pediment.
- Loix church: the inscription above the entrance can be disconcerting.
- Ars-en-Ré church: two-tone black-and-white steeple.
- Saint-Clément-des-Baleines church: originally built illegally, with remarkable ex-voto offerings.
- Les Portes-en-Ré church: charmingly white.
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