La Pergola, La Basse Benaie, Le Petit Sergent, La Salée, Les Prises, La Cible, Le Grouin, Le Pas des Boeufs, Bidon V, Le Petit Bec, La Loge, Les 3 Cailloux, Trousse-Chemise... plenty of weird and wonderful names… but behind these hide magnificent places, perfect for relaxing, strolling, sports activities or fine dining… these are Ile de Ré’s beaches.
The biggest and the smallest….
The largest beaches are located mostly on the southern side between Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré and La Couarde-sur-Mer, such as Gollandières beach, Gros Jonc beach, Peu Ragot beach, or a little further north, at La Conche.
The smaller ones, which are just as appreciated, are nestled in the heart of villages on the northern side such as l’Arnairaud beach in La Flotte, Cible beach in St Martin, Grouin beach in Loix.
For family beach days
For families wishing to safely enjoy the sea, it’s best to choose a beach with lifeguard services (in July and August): the south beach (Plage Sud) in Rivedoux-Plage, the beaches at Gros Jonc and Gollandières in Bois-Plage-en-Ré, Peu Ragot beach in La Couarde-sur-Mer, a part of the beach at La Conche in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, or otherwise the beaches at Grouin in Loix, La Cible in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, or l’Arnairaud in La Flotte.
These beaches are also equipped with bathing wheelchairs (Tiralos) for use by people with reduced mobility.
For watersports enthusiasts
For watersports enthusiasts, head to the north beach (plage Nord) at Rivedoux-Plage, which is reserved exclusively for kitesurfers and windsurfers, or to Grenettes in Saint-Marie-de-Ré for surfers.
The headland at Saint-Clément-des-Baleines or Diamond Head are also well-known spots for lovers of watersports action.
If you’re lucky, you might cross paths with the best windsurfer of all time, Antoine Albeau, around La Couarde-sur-Mer, where he grew up.
He holds the greatest title in windsurfing: multiple windsurfing world champion (26 times) as well as speed records. He was named Sailor of the year in 2010 by the French sailing federation (FFV) and he is the most titled Frenchman in history.
And if you want to spot other world champions, get on your bikes and head to La Flotte, more precisely the nautical base, the HQ of the CNPA, where you can find Yoann Trecul and Thomas Ferrand, Tornado (catamaran) world champions 2023.
For shore fishing
The spring tides, or king tides, are popular periods during which many shore fishers come to Ile de Ré to make the most of the large spaces that are exposed, on the hunt for the best shellfish: scallops, razor clams, shrimp, winkles (known locally as ‘brigaud’ referring to this sea snail), clams…
When the sea goes very far out, particularly during the equinox tides, rocks that are usually out of reach become accessible on foot.
Some beaches are ideal for fishing from shore, particularly around Sainte-Marie-de-Ré which has tidal fisheries which are revealed at low tide on the Montamer side.
The areas surrounding the bay of Fier d’Ars are also well known for shore fishing, such as at the south beach (plage sud) of Rivedoux-Plage by the Chauveau lighthouse.
But be careful, for your own safety do not go alone, and always respect the fishing regulations so that the flora and fauna of this very fragile aquatic environment are preserved. Before you go, make sure that fishing is authorised in the spot you have chosen.
For further information, please consult the guide published by the Ile de Ré local government.
To choose the best time to go swimming or for a shore fishing trip, don't forget to check the tide times
And make sure to dress properly for shore fishing:
Wear waterproof boots or shoes, shorts, take a windcheater jacket, and don’t forget a cap or other head covering, and suncream.
Never try to go in flipflops or barefoot, you’ll regret it as the rocks and shells are sharp and you also risk slipping and getting very wet!
And a last little detail, don’t forget your net and a bucket!
Movie location
With more than 12 million viewers in France, the film “The Longest Day” is one of the most successful films of world cinema, winning two Oscars.
Part of the film was shot on Ile de Ré, rather than the Normandy beaches where the original events took place.
The filmmaker and producer Darryl F. Zanuck chose Sablanceaux beach, mainly the La Conche area, to film the famous landing scenes.
The greatest stars of Hollywood strode through the sands here: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Bourvil, Sean Connery, Richard Burton and Curd Jürgens.
One of the main access roads to La Conche beach, in St Clément-des-Baleines, is named Pas de Zanuck, in memory of the director, who created this access road to be able to bring in all the filming equipment.
