Frequently asked questions

The island of Ré is famous for its Phare des Baleines lighthouse, but it’s not the only landmark on this island.

Find out more about the must-see sites on the island of Ré.

Treasure hunts, bike rides, guided tours, wildlife discoveries or water activities, there’s something for everyone.

Find out more about special family activities and events.

The Ile de Ré is renowned for its pretty villages, historic heritage and beaches, but that’s not all.

The south of the island boasts vineyards, forests and long beaches, notably at La Couarde and Le Bois-Plage, as well as pretty villages such as La Flotte and Saint-Martin.
The north of the island is wilder, with beaches surrounded by forests, and of course the famous salt marshes as far as the eye can see.

The island of Ré is full of changing landscapes, and in just a few kilometers you can go from one to the next.

For a weekend, we recommend visiting the villages of La Flotte, Saint-Martin and Ars, visiting the Phare des Baleines lighthouse and strolling through the salt marshes.
Of course, it all depends on your travel goals and desires.

We recommend that you consult our must-see sites page to make your choice.

There are many sea outings to choose from, which you can find by visiting your local tourist office. Catamaran, motorboat, short outing or day trip, there’s something for everyone.

Find out more about all sea outings on the Ile de Ré.

The Ile d’Oléron is larger than the Ile de Ré and, overall, wilder.

Île de Ré is renowned for its oyster and salt production, while Île d’Oléron is famous for its mussels, fish and oysters.

The best thing to do is to try out both islands to get an idea, and you don’t even have to choose which one you prefer – just enjoy them both, in your own way!

Of course, the island of Ré has a number of surf spots, some more suited to experienced surfers and others quite accessible to beginners.

Find out more about the different surf spots on the island of Ré.

Yes, on foot or by bike, tours are available in various villages on the island.

Find out about the next guided tours of the Ile de Ré offered by the tourist office.

Every year, the tourist office publishes a range of practical tourist brochures: accessibility guide, family guide, cycle route map, pocket guide, tide calendar, “Instants” magazine, accommodation guide and maps of the island’s 10 villages.

Discover the tourist brochures to accompany you during your stay.

Yes, before you come to the Ile de Ré, get in touch with the tourist office to receive the documentation you need.

You can also order it online here.

We don’t have any paper brochures presenting our events, but we can send you a personalized digital holiday booklet with the list of events, which will be updated automatically throughout the year.

And why not add more information, such as market days, restaurants, a selection of activities, etc.?

Don’t hesitate to contact us!

All our brochures are free of charge and available at all ten Destination Ile de Ré tourist offices.

You can also consult them online here .

The Destination Ile de Ré tourist office promotes the recycling of its brochures.

Recycling boxes have been set up and are available at reception desks to give a second life to all brochures that can be reused, thus promoting reuse in a bid to minimize paper consumption.

Yes, there are motorhome parks on the Ile de Ré and campsites with special sites for motorhomes.

Click here to find all the motorhome parks on the Ile de Ré.

Yes, but there are many restrictions on dog access to beaches.
Not all beaches accept dogs.

We recommend that you consult the regulations governing dogs on beaches on the Ile de Ré.

You’ll find a tourist office in each of the ten villages. You’ll be able to meet our tourist advisors to help you make the most of your stay, not only at the reception desks, but also, during the high season, on a mobile bike around the region.

Click here forthe opening hours of the 10 reception desks on the Ile de Ré.

No, there are no cab ranks on the Ile de Ré, only independent cabs.

Remember to book your cab as far in advance as possible to come to or leave the island.

Consult the list of our partner cabs.

You’ll find local markets for fruit, vegetables and seasonal produce, grocery stores and supermarkets in every village.

Click here for a list of food shops on the Ile de Ré.

Some beaches on the Ile de Ré are supervised from morning to night. See the Ile de Ré beaches page for more information on beach surveillance.

All tourist offices on the Ile de Ré offer a free connection.
Don’t hesitate to ask your accommodation provider if they have a Wifi connection.

Find here the Wifi access points on the Ile de Ré.

Yes, bike rental companies are present in every village on the island.

Find the list of partner bike rental companies here.

Of course, many tourist sites (restaurants, accommodation, sightseeing) are accessible to people with disabilities.
The Destination Ile de Ré tourist office holds the Tourisme & Handicap mark, which makes it easier for people with disabilities to enjoy their stay, and offers a range of services adapted to everyone’s needs and desires.

Consult our accessibility guide to discover our advice and personalized offers, and the Tourisme & Handicap mark to find out which activities and establishments have been awarded the label.

Destination Ile de Ré is committed to offering and developing an adapted tourism offer through the Tourisme et Handicap label.
This label covers all 4 types of disability (auditory, mental, motor and visual).

Our 10 reception desks have all been awarded the Tourisme et Handicap mark for all four types of disability, with the exception of Ars-en-Ré (motor, auditory and mental).

Find out more about the Tourisme & Handicap mark.

Of course you can. Ile de Ré is the ideal destination for families.
The Destination Ile de Ré tourist office has been awarded the ” Famille Plus” label, a benchmark quality label for families and children, guaranteeing top-quality facilities and services.

Find our “Family Plus” guide here.

Of course! For several years now, the Communauté de Communes de l’île de Ré and the Département de la Charente-Maritime have been providing a free local service to enable people without a car to get around, go shopping, attend medical or administrative appointments, etc.

Find out more about Respiré à la demande.