The Ile de Ré

IN WHICH GUEST BLOGGER "MRS SNAIL" EXPLORES L'ISLE DE RE BY CYCLE:

No wild camping is allowed on Ile de Re – probably the only place in France. A bye-law was passed in the early ‘90s to stop motorhomes wild camping. This is probably because the island is small with lots of campsites including at least 3 Aires de Camping Car that we saw. One of the Aires and the Municipal site are on the right after you have crossed the bridge and enter Rivedoux-Plage. But keep driving there are better sites to be had.

The cycle routes on Ile de Re are very well signposted and the surface wxcellent, mainly traffic free although sometimes on quiet roads. The island is very flat, so ideal for the rider who does not want to be too energetic (like Mr Snail!).

There were not very many English people there, although I think this may change with recent articles in the Caravan Club magazine and Daily Mail singing the praises of this island.

Having cycled around this end of the island we travelled 14 miles and moved further west to Cormoran campsite, Route de Radia, Ars en Re. As with all the other sites, the lady on reception spoke good English. The site had a swimming pool, bar and snack area (from which fresh bread was sold in the morning), a gym, unisex toilets and showers. The weather forecast pinned up in reception was for sun every day. We did have some rain one morning, but the man at the bar said wait until 11:00hrs and the sun will come out. Sure enough it did, Ile de Re seems to have its own micro climate. We had several more days of cycling exploring the rest of the island, there was just one little area we didn’t cover. Still that gives us a reason to return ……

Image above: St Martins de Re

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