La Couarde-sur-Mer in a few words...
Located on the strait to the South of Ile de Ré, you'll love this huge expanse of fine sand: nothing but beach as far as the eye can see! You're in La Couarde-sur-mer
Long ago the village of La Couarde was located on the very tip of the island of St Martin, separated back then from Ars island, so this is where its name comes from, referring to the coue or tail.
The village economy long depended on managing the salt marshes and the production of salt, as well as on its vineyards.
But at the end of the 19th century, when the little train arrived and the railway, the village turned to tourism and became the first seaside resort on Ile de Ré. From 1910, La Couarde began to attract the first Parisian artists, such as Mistinguett who came to stay here, sometimes with Maurice Chevalier.
La Couarde is known to holidaymakers for its disco 'La Pergola' which was established in 1936 by Gaspard Marmels. At the time, it was an outdoor music bar, built on top of a dune, and created for the entertainment of the first tourists who came to Ile de Ré. During the occupation, the Germans destroyed it for fear that it would become a target. After the war, it was rebuilt a little further away, in its current location.
The Goisil is the picturesque little natural port where a few boats are moored to wooden jetties. It's located on the edge of the Fosse de Loix, on the sea side, and abuts the nautical base which shares its name, where you can learn to sail in calm conditions thanks to the training pool.
In 1840, to halt the advance of the dunes, some 34 hectares were planted mainly with holm oaks, which became the Bois Henri IV national forest. This wooded area seemingly owes its name to a hermit who bizarrely resembled the king of this name.
Behind the dunes can be found 8 beaches stretching over 5 kilometres, from Follies beach to Prises beach where you can enjoy every possible seaside and nautical activity.
In the centre of the village, the music kiosk is a meeting point where young and old come together for evening entertainment. There is singing and dancing, and shows to watch over a drink. Not forgetting the covered and outdoor market to tickle your tastebuds and find all Ile de Ré's local products.
La Couarde-sur-Mer is the family-friendly village ideal for enjoying a family holiday!
If you've fallen for the charms of La Couarde, we suggest you stay in one of the holiday homes selected by Artemis Location
Holiday rentals in La Couarde-sur-Mer
Our selection of restaurants
- French cuisine, fish and seafood:
Le Balaou, avenue de Nouralene, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel: +33.(0)5.46.29.86.07
- Restaurant and Bar
Le Nora, 25 avenue du Mail, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel: +33.(0)9.51.63.56.52
- Oyster cabin
La Cabane du Feneau, before the Pont du Feneau bridge, Route de Loix, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel : +33.(0)5.46.30.43.68 La Cabane du Feneau
- Bar, Restaurant and Night club
La Pergola, 32 route de Joachim, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel : +33.(0)6.25.02.61.33 lapergola-iledere.com
Activities and leisure
- Bicycle hire,
Cyclo Surf, 2 premises available
23 bis avenue du Mail, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer Tél. : +33.(0)5.46.29.57.11 ou cyclo-surf.com
16 avenue d'Antioche, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer Tél. : +33.(0)5.46.29.92.78 ou cyclo-surf.com
Our preferred partner in La Couarde-sur-Mer
Enjoy a 10% discount for online reservations before you arrive or 10% discount in the shop with our coupon.
Please ask Artémis agency for your discount code to take advantage of this offer.
- Sailing schools (Catamaran, windsurf, stand-up paddle, kayak, waterski...)
Antoine Albeau sailing school, Grande plage du Peu Ragot, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel: +33.(0)5.46.29.80.29 ecoledevoileantoinealbeau.com
Sup Evasion, Plage des Prises, Bois Henri IV, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel : +33.(0)6.63.87.67.09 supevasion.com
- Jet ski hire with or without licence
Jet Révasion, Plage du Boutillon, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel : +33.(0)6.87.07.23.72 jetrevasion.com
- Cinema, shows, theatre, music
Centre Culturel de la Maline, 19 avenue du Mail, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel : +33.(0)5.46.29.93.53 lamaline.net
Shopping and businesses
- Decorative objects and objects from metal.
Atelier Récréa, 20 avenue du Moulin des Sables, 17670 La Couarde-sur-mer
Tel: +33.(0)6.80.53.17.16 atelierrecrea.com
Atelier de Verre Maryvonne Brullon, 8 rue de la Parée, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tel : +33.(0)6 62 80 60 99
Events
- Handisport Tennis International Open: 19th to 23rd June 2024
For more than 18 years, Pertuis Tennis Club and the Ré Handi Tennis association have organised the Toyota Open International Paratennis in Ile de Ré, a major tournament hosting the world's best wheelchair tennis athletes, with the support of the FFT (French Tennis Federation) and the ITF (International Tennis Federation).
Over 80 male and female players representing 20 nations come to take each other on, over 5 days, on Pertuis Tennis Club's 9 tennis courts.
A competition that's worth checking out for the spectacular standard of play from the wheelchair tennis players as well as for the great competition.
Tennis Club des Pertuis, 21 Avenue d'Antioche, 17670 La Couarde-sur-Mer
Tél : +33.(0)5.46.43.33.15 openiledere.com tennisiledere.fr