Fishing on the Île de Ré

Fishing on foot, a must on the Ile de Ré

Vacationing on an island means enjoying the omnipresence of the ocean. Nautical, aquatic and coastal activities abound on the Ile de Ré. Fishing on foot is a must: enjoy the pleasure of digging up shellfish yourself and feasting on them! The foreshore is renowned for its biodiversity. Everyone can observe or fish for a wide variety of seafood. When the sea recedes, put on your boots and grab your bucket, then head out with the whole family to collect shellfish or catch shrimp in your nets! Fishing on foot is very popular with children, who quickly fall in love with the fun of the pursuit. Not at all sure how to go about it? The island also organizes supervised and animated fishing outings: an opportunity for the whole family to discover the foreshore and hone your fishing techniques, so you can try again on your own. And what a pleasure it is to cook the fruit of your catch back at the Ile de Ré campsite!

Rules for shore fishing

The foreshore is a precious natural space, and fishing is therefore a regulated activity, with the aim of preserving the shellfish populations that live there. This fun activity must always be practised with an awareness of its impact on a fragile balance of biodiversity. The tools used for shellfish harvesting are regulated, and limited to a two-finger fork, a spoon, a clam knife, a hand scraper and a few other specific tools. Some areas on the Ile de Ré are also off-limits to fishing: these include the Fier d'Ars, the area around the jetty at Rivedoux, the harbours, as well as areas occupied by oyster beds and former fish locks. Not all species of crustaceans and bivalves are authorized for fishing: you can fish for cockles, mussels, wild oysters, scallops, clams, razor clams, prawns, periwinkles, crabs, spider crabs and shrimp. But there is always a minimum size limit, as well as a total fishing weight.

Where to fish on foot on the Ile de Ré?

The island's south coast is particularly good for shore fishing. Not far from the Slow Village campsite, you can discover the foreshore of Bois-Plage-en-Ré or Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, less than 3 km away (10 minutes by bike, 5 minutes by car). A little further afield, the southern beaches of Rivedoux and the foreshore of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines are also good spots. Closer to home, the foreshore of Saint-Martin and La Flotte is renowned for its scallop fishing.

Our tips for fishing on foot

To ensure that fishing on foot remains an excellent souvenir of your camping vacation on the Ile de Ré, we recommend a minimum of foresight: regarding tide times, your equipment and the regulations in force. First and foremost, never go fishing barefoot, preferring to wear either boots or plastic sandals. In summer, hats and sunscreen are a must, as reverberation is strong on large expanses of wet sand. Before you set out, check the by-laws regulating fishing on foot: they vary according to the time of year and the area of the foreshore. To help you comply with size limits, handy measuring tools are available from tourist offices and town halls. Take a watch with you and keep an eye on the tide times: time flies when you're fishing on foot, and certain isolated sandbanks or rocky islets can quickly find themselves surrounded by water. Can't wait to explore the rocky foreshore or roam the wide beaches uncovered at low tide with your children? Book your stay on the Ile de Ré and enjoy the pleasures of life by the ocean!