ÎLE DE RÉ'S MOST BEAUTIFUL HARBOURS

Located opposite La Rochelle, Rivedoux is the first port you come across when you arrive on the Ile de Ré. It is also the oldest of the four current ports, created in 1563. The small port of Rivedoux, which still hosts a few fishing boats (the others are moored in the port of Chef de Baie in La Rochelle), is very popular for its promenade, its unobstructed view over the bridge of the island of Ré and the Pertuis Breton. On the yachting side, a few berths are reserved for boats on stopover.

Located in the heart of the village of La Flotte, a few steps away from the medieval market, the shops and the lively terraces, the port of La Flotte is a place to stroll and relax which is very popular with holidaymakers. On the quays, some old riggings classified as historical monuments recall the great hours of the salt trade, wine and deep-sea fishing. And in fine weather, the port comes alive with concerts, sound and light shows, historical re-enactments, fireworks… A reference port for yachtsmen, the port of La Flotte has 200 berths on pontoons and 150 berths in organised anchorages.

The historic capital of the island, Saint-Martin-de-Ré is famous for its ramparts, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its citadel and… its port, one of the largest on the Ile de Ré. Lined with restaurants, cafés and shops of all kinds, the port of Saint-Martin is home to fishing boats and pleasure craft that take advantage of the proximity of the village’s shops and the many events offered throughout the year by the Saint-Martin Yacht Club. Not to be missed: the Fête de la Mer, celebrated every summer on 15 August. The port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré has 220 moorings on pontoons and 50 berths. Note that the port is reserved for boats under 20 m.

Built in 1850 on the site of the famous tide mill, the peaceful little port of Loix had its moment of glory at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, when the salt trade was flourishing. In the middle of the 20th century, it was still home to a few small trawlers. Nowadays, it is the yachtsmen who have made it their home port. Every summer, the port of Loix hosts the Tofinou regatta and the port festival (August). The port has 50 moorings on either side of the channel, linked to two mother channels.

Situated in the north of the island of Ré, at the bottom of the proud of Ars, the port of Ars-en-Ré is the most important on the island. It is accessed by a channel that crosses the salt marshes. In reality, there are two ports in Ars, one at the end of the channel and the other at the entrance. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the port of Ars lived comfortably from the wine and salt trade before turning to yachting and nautical tourism. At the time, it was the only port on the Ile de Ré able to receive large tonnage boats. Today, yachtsmen have replaced traders and shipowners, with a capacity of 550 moorings afloat. Things to see and do: the port and sardine festival which is traditionally held at the beginning of the summer.