Saint Martin de Ré

Saint Martin de Ré on the Ile de Ré

For your camping vacation on the Ile de Ré, the village of Saint Martin de Ré has a lot to offer. Fortified by Vauban in the 17th century, it stands on the north coast.

In the center of the island, between the villages of La Flotte en Ré, La Couarde sur Mer and Le Bois Plage en Ré.

The village is appreciated for its incomparable charm, thanks to its exceptional heritage, its port, its warm atmosphere and its art of living.

Saint-Martin-de-Ré is considered to be the historic capital of the Île de Ré, and some remarkable monuments remain from its past.
Many excursions or boat trips in the Atlantic Ocean are possible from the Port of Saint-Martin: Île d’Aix and Fort Boyard, La Rochelle… Holidaymakers can opt for a bike rental and discover the salt marshes, Ars, the Baleines lighthouse, discover the oyster and fleur de sel producers, as well as visit the island’s many fine sandy beaches.

The port of Saint Martin de Ré

The port of Saint-Martin is a lively place to visit, with its many restaurants and night market in July and August. As you continue your stroll, stop off at the Musée Ernest Cognacq, where you can learn more about the history of the Île de Ré.

After the Parc de la Barbette, a popular children’s playground, you’ll arrive at the Citadelle, now the Saint-Martin prison, which was the starting point for the penal colony until the turn of the century.

Activities in Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Close to the Citadelle, just behind the ramparts, the family-friendly Plage de la Cible is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Swimming, sailing, jet-skiing and many other water sports are available on this sandy beach near the Ile de Ré campsite. Don’t miss the donkey rides in the Parc de la Barbette! Children will be delighted to wander with these funny animals along the ramparts.

Places to visit in Saint Martin de Ré

Saint Martin-de-Ré offers a variety of sites to discover during your vacation on the Île de Ré. As you enter the village, through the Porte des Campanis for example, you’ll first be surprised by Vauban’s star-shaped fortifications, dating from the 17th century and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

You can stroll freely around the ramparts or choose a guided tour offered by the Tourist Office.

Take advantage of your visit to Saint-Martin-de-Ré to stroll along the harbor and narrow streets, where you’ll discover the half-timbered Maison de la Vinatière, as well as the observatory bell tower of the Church, which overlooks the village and offers a superb view of the surrounding area.

The Vauban fortifications of Saint Martin de Ré

The citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré has stood the test of time, built as a star-shaped fortification based on the defensive strategy of Louis XIV’s engineer, Vauban. Designed to shelter the entire island’s population in the event of an attack, Saint-Martin is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Its walls and forts have remained intact since the 17th century.

The dimensions of the fortified site are unique: Saint-Martin-de-Ré is protected by 14 km of ramparts forming a semi-circle with a radius of over 1,500 meters. The entire town was fortified by these walls between 1681 and 1685. To the northeast, a vast citadel provides support. In the 19th century, this military city became a prison, and remains so to this day.

The target beach in Charente-Maritime

You can also visit the salt marshes and oyster beds. L’Huitrière de Ré is open to the public to learn more about oyster farming.

Take a detour to the Coopérative des Sauniers to buy salt and other local products.

Free parking makes it easy to spend the afternoon on the sands of the Île de Ré beach. There’s also a picnic area, a beach restaurant and a sailing club offering courses, rentals and boat trips.

Do you love water sports, speed and thrills? Consider renting a jet ski on the island of Ré, or opt for an accompanied sea excursion! The island’s clubs offer a wide range of packages, from a jet-ski baptism lasting an hour or less, to a long escapade lasting several hours around the island. It’s an opportunity to discover the Rhaetan coastline in a different way, while filling up on adrenaline and oxygen.