For nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, autumn is a wonderful time to visit the Ile de Ré. Temperatures are mild, days are sunny and nature is at its most beautiful.
At the same time, the island has regained its usual calm, and it’s easier to get to know the locals, who are once again going about their business.
Marvel at dazzling landscapes
“Look at all that October illuminates”. As Francis Cabrel so aptly put it, autumn is a fabulous season to enjoy the colorful spectacle offered by Mother Nature. With its exceptional climate, the island of Ré enjoys an exceptional Indian summer every year from September to November.
This is the time of year when the most beautiful sunsets can be seen over the Atlantic Ocean, salt marshes and fishing ports (Ars-en-Ré, Saint-Martin-de-Ré).
Explore natural areas on foot or by bike
Autumn is also a great season for hiking and cycling on the 110 km of secure cycle paths linking the ten communes of this jewel of the Charente archipelago. From the salt marshes around Ars-en-Ré and Les Portes-en-Ré to the charming woods of Bois-Plage-en-Ré and the magnificent Conche des Baleines beach (Saint-Clément-des-Baleines), you can take a stroll with family or friends and fill your lungs with iodized air.
Discover our cultural heritage
Vauban fortifications at Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Saint-Étienne church at Ars-en-Ré, Châteliers abbey at La Flotte: the island of Ré is dotted with superb monuments and relics that recall its past heritage.
Meet the Poitou baudets
The baudet du Poitou is much more than a mascot, it’s the muse of Ré la Blanche! In just a few years, it has become a veritable institution on the Ile de Ré. In the Parc de la Barbette, near the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, join the protégés of Régis Léau, a well-known figure in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, for a delightful donkey ride.
If you’re visiting the island of Ré in autumn with children, this is a walk you must include in your program of activities.
Stand-up paddling and birdwatching
Take advantage of your stay at La Tour des prises campsite to try your hand at stand-up paddling, a water sports activity for children and beginners inspired by kayaking and canoeing.
And don’t forget to visit the Lilleau des Niges national nature reserve for migratory birdwatching.
Although the risk of rain is relatively low in autumn, you won’t be completely safe from a shower or a rainy day. Discover all the things to do on the Ile de Ré when it rains.
