Chef Arthur Da Costa Adao, sommelier Louis Grizeau, and their twenty-something energy bring their expertise to La Flotte on the south side of the island. L’Écailler, crafting tasting menus and beverage pairings that make local products sing—mackerel, meagre, mussels, the famed homard bleu (blue lobster) and other dishes, decorated with seasonal products in a simple but elegant way. For now, it remains the only Michelin-starred restaurant on Île de Ré.
Another must-visit is La Martinière, an Île de Ré ice cream institution, which pays homage to local harvests with flavors like potato and oysters with seaweed praline (creamy, briny, and strange, but worth a taste), plus crowd pleasers like caramel with fleur de sel (sea salt).
Where to stay in Île de Ré
Attesting to the island’s laid-back spirit, Île de Ré has a long tradition of camping. There are many camping sites on the island. From family favorites like Huttopia, to more design-forward accommodations. The glamping side of the spectrum includes Le Phare, a boutique retreat in Les Portes-en-Ré, on the island’s wild northern tip. The chic beach houses and cottages are nestled in dunes and salt marshes. They feature natural materials and spacious terraces with views of the wild landscape. It’s a great base to enjoy the relaxed pace of the island. With heated pools, nature-led excursions, and the beach only steps away, this is the perfect place to settle in.
You can also book a room. Hôtel de Toiras occupies prime real estate in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, perched on the small port that’s the heart of the island. Although the exterior of this hotel is simple and white, the interior is lavish, thanks to Pierre-Yves Rochon’s design eye. The decor in each room or suite is unique and named after different historical figures. My room, which was very “Marie Antoinette Goes to the Beach,” featured canary-yellows and royal-blues. Toile de Jouy The wallpaper and the bed canopy are draped with matching richly textured fabrics. The claw-foot bathtub and port views added to the aristocratic seaside feel.
Just a few minutes away from the port’s commotion, you will find yourself in a quieter area. Villa Clarisse. It’s an intimate nine-room property with a clean and airy Haussmannian feel—white walls and high ceilings; fireplaces topped with Louis XV mirrors. Guests are encouraged to feel at home, with an honor-system apéro set-up for pouring champagne, mixing cocktails with local Citadelle gin, and snacking on sliced saucisson. The lush gardens are manicured, but there is also a hint of untamed nature. sauvageThere are plenty of recliners and a crystal clear pool that just begs to be dipped in. The wellness area offers two treatment rooms for Olivier Claire signature treatments. Yoga classes are offered on Thursdays.
Also in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Hotel La Baronnie The hotel calls itself “a village within a town.” This 18th-century property has 23 suites and rooms that are uniquely designed. The Bar 1721, the Cinq Mondes Spa on the island, with its hydrotherapy pool, sauna and jacuzzi and a curated list of massages and treatments, are among the amenities.
For a low-key, B&B-style stay, Le Secret has five bright guest rooms—understated with a mix of vintage decor—overlooking a lush garden with a sleek swimming pool, olive trees, Japanese maples, and figs. The owners are happy to arrange in-room wellness treatments and massages on request, and share their insider knowledge of Île de Ré.
