Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Top 5 picnic spots on the Ile de Ré

Written by Romain
August 22. 2025
Top 5 picnic spots on the Ile de Ré

What if you took the time to enjoy a picnic at the gentle pace of the Île de Ré? With its beaches, pine forests and charming harbours, the island lends itself perfectly to the art of taking a break in the heart of nature.

Settled in the Slow Village in Saint-Martin-de-Réa haven of peace in the heart of the island, you're ideally situated for cycling to the most beautiful spots. To inspire you, we've selected five must-visit picnic spots on the island of Ré where you can unfold your tablecloth and live the Slow Village spirit to the full.

The best spots for a slow-motion picnic on the Ile de Ré

To help you choose where to put your tablecloth, here's a rundown of the essential places to enjoy a picnic on the Ile de Ré.

  • Parc de la Barbette in Saint-Martin-de-Ré: friendly, shady atmosphere, perfect for families and close to the Vauban ramparts.
  • The port of La Flotte: picturesque charm and authenticity, to be savored especially at the end of the day in front of the sailboats.
  • The salt marshes of Loix: a unique setting for a contemplative picnic, in the heart of the natural heritage of the Retais.
  • La Conche des Baleines beach: a wild setting facing the ocean, ideal for wide-open spaces and sunsets.
  • The Trousse-Chemise forest: welcome coolness and shade under the pine trees, for an intimate, timeless break.

Our open-air hotel Slow Village Saint-Martin-de-Ré: is the ideal base camp for cycling to these magical places and extending the slow life experience.

Parc de la Barbette in Saint-Martin-de-Ré: picnic in the heart of the village

Under the generous shade of its pines and plane trees, the Parc de la Barbette is one of the most convivial spots for a picnic on the Ile de Ré. Located just a stone's throw from the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, it appeals to families (children's playground, large shaded area) as well as couples looking for a slow break before a stroll along the Vauban ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This spot combines nature, heritage and accessibility: perfect if you're staying nearby in our open-air hotel.

Slow tip: take a late afternoon break to enjoy the golden light over the fortifications, with a basket filled with products from the Saint-Martin market (cheese, fruit, oysters to take away).

  • 2 kilometers from our outdoor accommodation

The port of La Flotte: authenticity and Retais charm

Listed as one of France's most beautiful villages, La Flotte's charm lies in its harbor and old cobblestone streets, decorated with hollyhocks. It's an ideal spot for an authentic picnic on the Ile de Ré. Take a seat in front of the colorful boats, your basket filled with products from the medieval market: cheeses, fruit, oysters to take away.

Between the bustle of the port and the gentleness of the setting, the moment is both gourmet and contemplative.

Slow tip: picnic in the evening to enjoy the golden colors of the sunset over the sailboats, when the atmosphere becomes calmer and more poetic.

  • 3 kilometers from our open-air hotel

The salt marshes of Loix: immersion in the heart of our natural heritage

Along the cycle paths that zigzag between land and sea, the salt marshes of Loix offer a unique setting for a timeless picnic on the Ile de Ré. The silence is punctuated only by birdsong and the work of the salt workers. With their colors changing with the light, these typical landscapes invite you to take a contemplative and respectful break. It's the ideal place for an intimate picnic in the heart of nature, while discovering the ancestral know-how that is the soul of the island.

Slow tip: cycle to the marshes to reduce your carbon footprint, sit away from the ponds to avoid disturbing the wildlife, and opt for a zero-waste picnic (reusable boxes, cloth bags).

  • 12 kilometers from our outdoor lodging

La Conche des Baleines beach: nature as far as the eye can see

An immense sandbank facing the Atlantic, the Conche des Baleines is one of the wildest settings for a toes-in-the-sand picnic on the Ile de Ré. Next to the Baleines lighthouse, the beach stretches for kilometers: wave noise, XXL horizons and memorable sunsets.

Ideal for families thanks to its wide-open spaces, or for lovers thanks to its intimate off-season atmosphere, this picnic spot appeals to everyone. Accessible via cycle paths, it's the perfect spot for a simple, local and eco-responsible picnic.

Slow tip: come early, by bike, with a light tablecloth and reusable containers, and leave with all your garbage so as not to leave any trace on the shoreline.

  • 21 kilometers from our open-air hotel

Book accommodation near the île de ré picnic

Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Cabane Premium 3ch.

Enjoy this cozy 3-bedroom premium cabin, perfect for a stay with family or friends, in an unspoilt natural setting.

50 m²
3 ea.
6 pers.
1 bathroom.
Discover
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Cabane Tribu 4ch.

Discover our 4-bedroom Cabane Tribu, ideal accommodation for large families or groups of friends in the heart of the Ile de Ré!

2×25 m²
4 ea.
8 pers.
2 bathrooms.
Discover
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Slow House Signature 5ch.

Welcome to your Slow House, a wooden house designed for a peaceful, rejuvenating getaway on the Ile de Ré.

100 m²
5 ea.
10 pers.
3 bathrooms.
Discover
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Slow House Signature 6ch.

Treat yourself to a wellness break in a wooden Slow House, ideal for a rejuvenating stay on the Ile de Ré.

150 m²
6 ea.
12 pers.
3 bathrooms.
Discover
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Cabane Premium 2ch.

Our 2-bedroom Premium Cabane offers every comfort for your next stay on the Ile de Ré.

35 m²
2 bdrms
4 pers.
1 bathroom.
Discover
 

Trousse-Chemise forest: picnic under the pines

Immortalized by Charles Aznavour, the Trousse-Chemise forest is an emblematic place where the charm is there from the very first step. With its scent of maritime pines and light-filled glades, it's the ideal spot for a picnic on the island of Ré, far from the hustle and bustle of the beaches. In fact, you can take your time to enjoy the calm, lulled by the wind in the branches. After your break, extend the slow-motion experience with a stroll to the hidden beaches of Fier d'Ars.

Slow tip: take advantage of the late mornings to enjoy the fresh air and bird songs, before the area becomes busier in summer.

  • 26 kilometers from our outdoor accommodation

A picnic on the Ile de Ré is much more than a simple outdoor meal: it's an invitation to slow down, savor every moment and reconnect with nature. Between wild beaches, pine forests, marshes and picturesque harbors, the island offers a multitude of inspiring places to share a simple, authentic and environmentally-friendly moment.

And to extend the slow experience, there's nothing like a stay at Slow Village Saint-Martin-de-Ré: a quiet, green estate, ideal for cycling and discovering the island's most beautiful spots. Book now!

To discover around the picnic île de ré

Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Lodging on the Ile de Ré at the best price

At Slow Village, holidaymakers can take advantage of the best rental rates in the region, while staying in an unspoilt environment conducive to relaxation while camping on the Ile de Ré. With weekly rental packages starting from 400 euros for a 5-person mobile home, Slow Village enables families with several children and holidaymakers on a budget to enjoy a pleasant vacation in quality accommodation and exceptional surroundings.

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The Port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré

The port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, on the north coast of the island, opens onto the Pertuis Breton and has existed since the Middle Ages. It was around this harbor that the island's urban core was built, and its commercial and strategic position soon made Saint-Martin-de-Ré the historic economic capital of the Rhaetan territory.

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The 5 best markets on the Île de Ré

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.

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Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Top 5 best bike rides on the Ile de Ré

Explore the Île de Ré by bike, between salt marshes, flower-filled villages and coastal paths bathed in light. A selection of 5 unforgettable rides departing from our open-air hotel in Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

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Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Visits: what to do on the Ile de Ré?

Planning your outdoor vacation? Find out what to do on the Ile de Ré during your stay. Between water sports, cycling, beaches, salt marshes, visits to the most beautiful villages, beaches and relaxing by the pool, you'll find out what to do during your vacation in an open-air hotel on the Ile de Ré.

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Saint-Martin-de-Ré

The citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré

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.

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