Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré

Discover the charm of a seaside atmosphere à la rétaise!

A seaside resort in the center of the island, Le Bois-Plage boasts 6 km of beaches that hide, behind the dunes, a vast wooded area ideal for beautiful walks. Its heart is bustling with shops and, in season, a daily market – the biggest on the island – where you can stroll at your own pace to discover the local flavours.

Family fun and discovery on the Ile de Ré

Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, located on the south coast of the island, is one of its oldest seaside resorts, and today remains a veritable paradise for lovers of the sea and water sports. With its vast stretches of fine sand and consistent waves, this charming village attracts surf enthusiasts of all levels. The lengthy village can also be visited through its winding lanes and alleyways, pleasantly lined with hollyhocks from May to September. It’s the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the daily grind, to relax and unwind, and to take your time.

And speaking of taking your time, strap on your backpack and hop on your bike for an enigmatic and thought-provoking discovery of Bois-Plage. Thanks to the Terrà Aventura geocaching application, you can get to know the Bois-Plage and its special features, with family or friends, with a reward at the end, after many fun riddles that will put your senses to the test. It’s another way to visit the island, off the beaten track and using the most virtuous means of transport on the Ile de Ré!

Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré is also the village with the biggest seasonal market on the whole of Ile de Ré. From April to September, and during the school vacations, numerous traders come to liven up the market halls and streets of the village, from Place de Lazatte to Rue de Sainte-Marie. It’s a must for lovers of local produce and visitors looking for souvenirs. During the summer season, Bois-Plage is liveliest and most animated in the mornings, to the delight of young and old alike!

Did you know?

Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré is home to Ré’s highest point: the Peu des Aumonts, 19 m high!

Discover, taste and explore: the watchwords of Bois-Plage-en-Ré

A stroll through Le Bois-Plage is also a promise to discover unique little jewels of heritage. Let us guide you to the church with its stained-glass windows evoking the sea, to the anchor of the Cristina Rueda, witness to the courage of the Boitais during a shipwreck, to the Malakoff tower or the bell tower, all of which are curiosities as discreet as they are fascinating. Finally, what about discovering the last winged mill on the island? Nothing could be simpler: head for Saint-Martin on the cycle path and keep your eyes wide open as you leave the Bois. That’s how you’ll discover the Moulin du Morinand!

Le Bois-Plage is also a world of flavours! The great specialty of this village is the vine and its by-products. Venture east of the village center to learn more about the world of distillation at the Coopérative des Vignerons. You’ll find a wide selection of products with typical local flavors. Other products await you at the Ré-Unis producers’ farm, just next door, including the island’s famous AOC and AOP early potatoes – the only ones in France to have received the latter distinction.

The village is perfect for any cycling enthusiast who wants to enjoy the island without a car. Almost in the center of the island, you can head north towards Saint-Martin or La Flotte, then east to marvel at the woods and vineyards before reaching Sainte-Marie. Alternatively, pedal west towards La Couarde, to discover the island’s first salt marshes and escape to the villages along the Fier d’Ars, on the edge of unspoilt wilderness. There’s nothing like cycling when you go to Bois-Plage.