Getting to Slow Village Saint-Martin-de-Ré without a car

How to get around without a car on Île de Ré? Fares, timetables, and tips: discover our comprehensive guide to regional buses and free shuttles so you can explore the island at your leisure from your Slow Village.

Canoe between the salt marshes, white villages and wild beaches of the Île de Ré. Five itineraries to discover the island differently, at the pace of slow tourism.

Are you able to take your bikes with you on your camping vacation on the Ile de Ré? Don't hesitate! The whole of the island is equipped for cyclists: from Rivedoux to Saint-Clément-les-Baleines, the 10 villages on the island are linked by a track that allows you to cycle around the island. The distance between two villages is always less than 10 km, making cycling a family-friendly way to get around the island, even with young children. The Ile de Ré cycle path is linked to the network of greenways and trails in La Rochelle, and in particular to the Vélodyssée, which leads to Châtelaillon, Rochefort and Royan. So you can even arrive on the island by bike!

Discover the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve on Île de Ré. Bird watching, walks through the marshes, and LPO tours. Prepare for your nature outing!

The Ile de Ré boasts a wealth of markets, much appreciated by visitors to the region. There's nothing like strolling through these markets to stock up on local produce, pick up souvenir gifts or simply relax during your stay in Charente-Maritime.

The jewel of the Île de Ré, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré are the work of Vauban. Built under Louis XIV in 10 years, from 1681 to 1691, they bear the signature of the famous royal engineer, with their typical star-shaped architecture.

Your vacation on the Ile de Ré will be an opportunity to visit the sites and buildings that are the pride of the people of the island. Among the must-sees is the emblematic Baleines lighthouse, whose long silhouette stands facing the Atlantic at the western end of the island. The Baleines site comprises buildings of different ages: the old tower, built on the orders of Minister Colbert in 1669, is a strategic maritime observatory, providing advanced protection for Rochefort's fledgling arsenal.

A historic tradition on the Ile de Ré, salt farming sustained the territory from the Middle Ages until the end of the 19ᵉ century. Gradually abandoned over the course of the 20ᵉ century, the salt pans gave way to the marshes and mudflats that form the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve, and are home to precious populations of migratory birds.

Discover the Ré region: from the Abbaye des Châteliers to the Uniré cooperative, explore the history of winegrowing on the Île de Ré. Wine tastings, walks through the vineyards, and cellar tours await you just a stone's throw from your Slow Village.