La Maison de la Dune is located in the commune of Les Portes en Ré, at the northern tip of the Ile de Ré, some 47 kilometers northwest of La Rochelle in the Poitou-Charentes region.
A former forest estate, the Maison de la Dune was built in 1852 and completely refurbished in 2009. It is currently a shelter for the region’s forestry department. The museum pays tribute to the flora and fauna of this very special dune zone. In fact, this arid, hostile environment is home to a fragile ecosystem that has adapted to difficult living conditions.
Situated between forest and ocean, the Maison de la Dune offers a magnificent setting overlooking the beautiful Conche beach and the Phare des Baleines, the most visited site on the Ile de Ré.
A number of signs inside the Maison de la Dune explain how the dune is a fragile bulwark against the erosion that threatens it, the role of the leash, dunes of different colors: white, woody and gray, and dune vegetation and forest plants.
A botanical trail winds around the Maison de la Dune. It allows you to learn about and name the special features of local plants.
The Maison de la Dune site is an ideal place for education, explaining the importance of protecting the dunes and their environment:
- The preservation of these dunes, which are particularly exposed on the island and located below sea level, is essential.
- The importance of forests for the ecosystem as a whole.
- Promoting responsible tourism.
This former forest cabin is now open free of charge to all nature lovers, Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm, from July to August 31.
