The island of Ré with bike

 
2600 sunny hours per year, the island of Ré is the pearl of the Atlantic islands. With his seascapes, salt marshes and the poetry of colorful ports, it contains a remarkable historical heritage. To find out, nothing like qu'enfourcher a bike and let it be carried along its 100 km of cycle paths.



Route 1: The Path of History


Route 2: The Road Campaign


Itinerary 3: the coastal path


Route 4: Pathways marsh and forest


factsheet

:: Route 1: the path of history

Just over the bridge from the island of Ré, it landed on the tip of Sablanceaux, a small spit of sand stretching to the mainland.

  It is here, in the town of Rivedoux that is Redoubt Sablanceaux of a fort built after the siege of La Rochelle 1627 Continuing pedaling, one sees the imposing ruins of the Abbey Châteliers, built in the 12th century by Cistercian monks.

We then arrive at the pretty village of La Flotte en Ré. Its charming fishing port, built in 1768, was once the heart of maritime trade on the island. Leaving the town, we see donkeys culottes traditional frolic on the plain, while in the distance already stand the walls of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the historic capital of the island.

We like to stroll on the picturesque and bustling harbor, surrounded by a star-shaped enclosure. Declared World Heritage by UNESCO, the Vauban fortifications were built by Louis XIV to protect against English invasions, around 1680.

Infamous, the citadel of Saint-Martin has long been the starting point for the prison. In return, we close the loop by making a stop at Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, with its maze of streets full of flowers, lined with the facades traditional green shutters.


:: Route 2: the road to campaign

From St. Martin, several routes available to cyclists. The first is to reach the center of the island through the agricultural and wine trails. Here we see the tractors plowing the land and the birds chirp means.

We dismounted, once arrived at the Bois-Plage. This town has the largest market on the island, greedy heart where you find all the products in the region (including the famous potato AOC) and the Cave des Vignerons cooperative on the island of Ré.

Meandering through the sandy soil, lined with pine trees and tamarinds, we arrive at the beautiful beaches of Gollandières and Big Rush, coiled behind the dunes. Vineyards and stretches of fine sand we go along, arriving at the village of La Couarde.

Festive heart of the island, this resort is popular with surfers, who find themselves at the beach Pergola. Lovers of solitude, meanwhile, will head to the beach instead of Prize, shaded by a small forest. The ideal place to recharge before getting back in the saddle!


Driving :: 3: The coastal path

Another possibility from St. Martin: along the coast to the peninsula Loix. Along the coast, the vastness of the ocean extends to the horizon. The sea air invades the nostrils, while it seems to sail to the rhythm of the waves.

Spinning north of La Couarde, we see the first salt marshes, with bluish gray highlights, is on the horizon. A shimmering landscape, dotted with a shy vegetation stretches before our eyes. Erratic birds wander along the Marsh Way.

All along the shore, a multiplicity of huts oyster tasting invitation to discover the oyster tradition of the island. The village of Loix itself is very pleasant, preserving peace and authenticity.

This is where the Écomusée the Salt Basin, which traces the history of White Gold, principal natural wealth of the island, originally an ancestral know-how is. In the 19th century, until 1000 salt workers were working in the swamps!


:: Route 4: Pathways marsh and forest

The last route begins north of La Couarde and bypasses the inland sea Fier d'Ars from the south. The bikes glide along a track seeming to float above the water, surrounded by marshes of sight.

The chief town of Ars, which includes most of the salt marshes, also hosts the Cooperative salt workers of the Ile de Ré. Following the thread of water, through the Nature Reserve of Lilleau Niges, fabulous den nearly 30,000 migratory birds.

From here we come to the remote village Les Portes-en-Ré. This is one of the venues you favorite brand of residents. No wonder, because you can only fall in love with this idyllic hamlet, with hollyhocks and lovely beaches.

Reached the tip of the island, it branches off to the forest of pines and Lizay pedaling through to Saint Clement of Whales. It is here that extends the range of the Conche Whale, a long enchanting cove bordered by the ocean. She has served as the film The Longest Day, shot in 1961.

From there we see the rise Whale Lighthouse, 57 m high. After climbing its 237 steps, you can enjoy a splendid view of the whole island, its fields and marshes, rocked by the stormy waves of the ocean ...