The 14 things to do in Ars-en-Ré

What are the best things to visit in Ars-en-Ré, a small village on the island of Ré that is one of the most beautiful French villages?

Located north of Re Island, between Couarde-Sur-Mer and Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, visit Ars-en-Ré. Let yourself be charmed by its typical charm, with its small white houses with green flaps, and its paved venelles with groaning roses.

Here, no need for a car. You can do everything on foot or by bike, to get away from the village and go to the beach for example. Or take a walk in the salt marshes? Unless you prefer to walk in the hidden avenes, survey the reputed market, or stroll on the harbour by observing the boats to dock... The sweet life of the holiday what!

One thing is certain, you will fall in love with this island village, where it makes good living. Ré la Blanche is waiting for you! So you're wondering what to do in Ars-en-Ré? They tell you everything here!

1. The Venes

If there is one thing that characterizes the Island of Re, it is the venel. It is a small narrow street, most often paved, that connects two streets or a dead end. Aside from the wind and sunny, it is often lined, in the spring and summer, with groaning roses, the star of the island.

Ars-en-Ré does not derogate from the rule, and has many small hidden venes, all more photogenic ones than others.

2. The Saint Etienne Church

The church of Saint-Etienne, in Roman and Gothic style, is truly the emblem of the village. Or rather its bell tower, recognizable by far, by its shape of arrow, painted in black and white. This is the goal, because once he served as a marker to the navigators who arrived on the port of Ars-en-Ré.

So what are you looking for in Ars-en-Ré? Visit the centre of the village to visit the church or climb to the bell tower, or simply observe its illuminations at nightfall.

3. The house of Sénéchal

If you are going to visit Ars-en-Ré, you can admire the house of the Sénéchal. You will necessarily be intrigued by this medieval building of the sixteenth century, unique in its kind on the island. Corner Tourelle encorbellement, busts, blason, you can’t miss it!

4. The port

Completely refurbished, the port is a must-see if you are going to visit Ars-en-Ré. It has 550 seats, on which are moored with sublime boats. You can observe them and dream of escape, from one of the many terraces of coffee and restaurant that the port counts. You can also discover the old station of the small train de Ré, dating from the late nineteenth century.

5. A boat ride

After strolling on the harbour docks, why don't you take a boat ride?

Indeed, rent a boat in Ars-en-Ré will allow you to explore the island of Re and its surroundings. Thus, you will have the opportunity to discover the landscape in another way, seen from the waters. A great experience to live with your loved ones to perfect your stay in Ars-en-Ré!

6. Les Moulins

At the beginning of the 19th century, Ars-en-Ré had 17 mills, serving to die the wheat that was imported from the continent. Today, there are only 5. They no longer have wings, but are found in the landscape by their height and roundness of their tower. They now serve as a home.

7. The fear of Martray

If you are going to visit Ars-en-Ré, you will hear about Martray, the narrowest place on the island. The fear of Martray, also known as the fort of Martray, was built in 1674 to block the road to the invaders. It is composed of a square of 50 meters on the side, and was built on the same model as the fear of Rivedoux.

8. Foirouse Fish Lock

What are you looking for in Ars-en-Ré? So come and watch the fishermen practice an ancestral fishing technique in the Foirouse fish lock. During the high tide, the fish enter this stone construction, in the form of horsepower.

Then, at low tide, when the sea withdraws, they find themselves trapped and the fishermen only have to catch them. The island of Ré has 14 locks, compared to 140 in the 19th century.

9. The Boutillon dike

Coast defence is one of the island’s priorities, and particularly the Martray area, the narrowest of the island. In order to avoid the separation of the territory during heavy storms, a dam was designed in the nineteenth century.

Strongly damaged in 2010 by Storm Xynthia , it was completely rebuilt, and completed in 2017. Long 716 meters, its curved shape allows it to better resist the assaults of a wild sea.

10. The Fier d’Ars and its salt marshes

The Fier d’Ars is a bay of 800 hectares, to be discovered (and to be protected) absolutely if you come to visit Ars-en-Ré. It is a natural area, which runs along the coast, and includes various habitats: salt marshes, soft marshes, aquaculture basins, breeding grasslands... It houses an incredible flora and fauna, including many migratory birds.

If you wonder what you can do in Ars-en-Ré, then put your bike on and go to discover the fascinating world of the Fiers salt marshes! A marked course allows you to observe the sauniers in full work.

11. The sauniers cooperative

The flagship product of the island of Ré is the salt flower, which has been harvested for centuries in salt marshes. This ancestral know-how is always in practice by the sauniers, who decided to create in 1933 the first sauniers cooperative.

It is here that they store, prepare (criblage, drying, crushing), condition and market salt. What are you looking for in Ars-en-Ré? Head to the shop before your departure, to bring back a lot of delicious memories around the salt flower!

12. The beach of the Barn

What to do in Ars-en-Ré? Go to the beach of course! After all, you are on an island so it is necessarily on the program. So head to the Grange beach, to dip or sunbath, at the choice.

13. The center of Thalasso

To relax and enjoy the benefits of the sea, the thalassotherapy centre Côté Thalasso Ile de Ré is the perfect place! A real relaxing parenthesis, to be done in Ars-en-Ré.

14. The Ars market

The Ars market is certainly one of the most famous of the island. In the middle of the season, it takes place every morning. A friendly and colorful moment awaits you in its animated aisles, with various stalls. The halls of the background are dedicated to local gastronomy.

You will find fresh fish, local vegetables, and other cheeses, meats, and island specialities. Outside, clothes, jewelry, objects, arts of all kinds, where you will necessarily find your happiness!

How to get to Ars-en-Ré?

You want to go visit Ars-en-Ré and ask yourself how to get there? They tell you everything here!

By car

To get to Re Island by car and to visit Ars-en-Ré, you will have to go to La Rochelle (4h30 from Paris 2 hours since Bordeaux ). Then you will take the nice 3-kilometre bridge that connects the island and the continent.

Then you will cross the island in its length for 25 kilometers to reach Ars. The duration can vary greatly depending on your time of passage. You can only be advised to avoid Saturday, departure and arrival day for rentals (if you can, of course)!

Attention: each passage of the bridge is subject to payment of a tax (16€ for cars). So if you plan several crossings, opt for a multiple passages card that will reduce the cost to unity, on for this purpose .

By train or plane then by bus

If you decide to come by train or by plane to visit Ars-en-Ré, the nearest train station and airport are located La Rochelle . To find the best price for your flight ticket, feel free to visit our partner’s website Skyscanner .

A daily shuttle service is provided during the summer period, between the train station, the airport and the island of Ré. We need to use the Transdev lines 3 , 3A and 3E . The ticket costs 2€ and buys on board the car.

By boat

For the fun (yes, because since there is the bridge it’s much simpler), you can go on the island by boat from the boat of La Rochelle. Possible only April to end September , 23€ the return trip, or 11,5€ go.

Where to stay in Ars-en-Ré?

Various solutions are available to you if you decide to sleep in Ars-en-Ré. Several hotels are at your disposal as Hotel du Sénéchal . However, for those who prefer to live as a local, a rental Airbnb is quite possible. There are also some campsites around Ars-en-Ré or even holiday villages.

However, in the summer season, the village is stormed, so don’t forget to book well in advance. With help a hotel comparison , you will find the cheapest rates, according to your departure dates.

From now on, you know what to visit in Ars-en-Ré, prepare your luggage to go for adventure!