Tour of the Ile de Re — Lilleau-des-Niges nature reserve

... there you go, I dusted off my komoot ... it still remembered me, phew ... ;-) A little trip to the island of Ré, magnificent at this time of year, as in other seasons but without the crowds of the summer periods ...! A lot of charm, typical and very beautiful villages, salt marshes and woods, small, on the scale of the island but very pleasant, some corners are heavenly. On my route I must have done 90% of cycle paths, a cycling paradise ... :-)

A very nice tour with two wonderful harbor towns😊

Today we took it a bit easier again. A small exploration tour on the Ile-de-Re was pending. First we went in the direction of Ars-en-Re past beautiful salt pans and swamps. In Ars-en-Re there was a small market with local products. We went on to the Phare des Baleines (lighthouse) and then on to Les Portes-en-Re. The fortress at Saint-Martin-de-Re was very impressive. The fortifications were built under the reign of Louis XIV from 1681 to 1691. Her size is unique; 14 km of semi-circular ramparts within a 1.5 km radius. Il-de-Re appears to be a very popular holiday destination for domestic tourists. There are good bike paths here, many restaurants and scenic attractions. The weather was perfect again - sunshine all day!

Very beautiful loop between marshes, animals and beaches.

Île de Ré is said to be a great place to cycle, and I'm going to try it out today: So I cycle westward along well-maintained and signposted paths, mostly separated from car traffic, to the Phare des Baleines, through the salt flats with their numerous birdlife. The small detour due to the road closure definitely brings additional positive moments. Finally, I make a detour to La Flotte with its small, cozy harbor. My conclusion: It's true, Île de Ré is a great place to cycle, and it's a special experience.

Beautiful bike ride through the small villages and over the salt pans on the Île de Ré. There was still a strong headwind on the way to the lighthouse, but then it was very relaxed on the way back and while we were enjoying an aperitif in a bar in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a princess rally (it really was called that) drove past us, old sports cars with only women on board.

This island is great for exploring by bike. We chose the western part of the island and cycled along the coast, through vineyards and cornfields, to Le Phare. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea. Along the way, we passed charming little towns, a weekly market, and the salt fields and their shops.

Today, a truly unique tour on the Île de Ré through the salt marshes and vineyards. Salt has been mined on the Île de Ré since the Middle Ages. Even today, in the salt marshes near Ars-en-Ré and Loix, you can watch the salt marshes harvest the famous "fleur de sel" by hand using traditional methods. Hiking and cycling tours lead through this truly unique and special cultural landscape, which, depending on the season, shimmers in bright green and red, or almost silvery-white. In addition to salt, the island's vineyards also characterize the island. Light, fresh white and rosé wines are produced here – a perfect match for the maritime climate and regional specialties such as oysters and seafood. Pineau des Charentes (a fortified wine) and cognac also originate here. Many small wineries offer tastings, often in a friendly atmosphere. The cycling network here is fantastic. We're still amazed by this amazing tour through this unique landscape with its flora and fauna—far from noise and traffic. The detour to the Phare de Balaine, one of the largest lighthouses in France, and a break by the Atlantic were wonderful 🌊🌞