Eating well on the Ile de Ré!

Taste the PDO potato and you’ll love it!

What is a PDO potato? PDO stands for “Protected Designation of Origin”. The PDO potato is a must-have local product. It’s renowned for its thin skin, melting flesh and slightly sweet taste. Yummy! The PDO potato from the Ile de Ré comprises two varieties:

• Alcmaria, with its melt-in-the-mouth flesh, available from April onwards.
• The Charlotte, with its yellow flesh, available from mid-May to the end of June.

So how do you cook it? You can steam it or pan-fry it, accompanied by salted butter and, of course, fleur de sel de l’île de Ré! You can find it directly at markets and producers from April onwards.

Put a pinch of salt on your plate!

What would the Ile de Ré be without the salt marshes that stretch as far as the eye can see? Today, more than 400 hectares are cultivated by 90 salt producers on the Ile de Ré. Salt is known as “white gold”, and on the island, salt is 100% natural, harvested by hand according to ancestral tradition. Salt and fleur de sel are a staple on Ré tables. So don’t forget to add salt to your dishes (in moderation)!

Treat yourself to an iodized break with oysters from the Ile de Ré

We know how to take the time to eat well on the Ile de Ré, especially when it comes to tasting oysters fresh out of the water! Oysters are a natural and healthy product. You can find them in many places on the island.

While you’re out walking or cycling, don’t forget to take a gourmet break in one of the oyster-farmers’ cabins overlooking the ocean or in the middle of the marshes. Gustatory pleasure guaranteed!

Don’t forget the aperitif!

Good food on the Ile de Ré is great, but an aperitif is even better. That’s right! Aperitifs are the perfect way to unwind after a long day.

If you’d like to enjoy the products of the rétaise vineyards in moderation*, pineau, cognac and wine are just waiting for you:

• Pineau des Charentes: a local aperitif, it’s a must-try. A little tip for melon lovers: pineau with your melon is so good!
• Cognac: the characteristics of Cognac de l’île de Ré are linked to its marine character, it’s fruity and incredibly round. The Cave Coopérative offers 6 bottles for sale, including a 10-year-old speciality.
• The wine: Choose between white, red or rosé, all produced locally. Vine-growing on the Ile de Ré is a skill that can be felt right from the first tasting.

* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, so consume in moderation.

Looking for a good meal on the Ile de Ré?

Ile de Ré has white gold with salt, but it also has red gold with a spice! It’s saffron, made in île de Ré. You can find it in many stores and markets to spice up your dishes!

Then, if you want to impress your guests or add a colorful touch to your dishes, you can use samphire. It’s also one of the island’s star products, produced on the marshes of the Retais. Its iodized taste makes all the difference in your salads!

Finally, if you don’t feel like cooking, but want to eat well on the island of Ré, why not treat yourself to a restaurant? The island’s wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and tastes is guaranteed to delight your palate.

With all that, bon appétit!