Fresh bread in the morning is a bit of a holiday ritual: you throw on some shorts, hop on your bike and head off for a baguette (and two or three pastries, let’s be honest). On the Ile de Ré, every village has its own bakery, often tucked among the white lanes with green shutters. We’ve scouted the best addresses village by village, the specialities worth tasting, and where to find gluten-free bread. All the better to explore the Ile de Ré on a full stomach.
The essentials
- Every village has its own bakery: from Rivedoux to Ars, you’re never far from a warm baguette.
- Au Pain Marin has branches in several villages (Sainte-Marie, Le Bois-Plage, La Couarde, Ars) and offers gluten-free bread.
- Worth tasting: Charentais specialities (broyé du Poitou, galette charentaise, tourteau fromagé) and treats made with Ré fleur de sel.
- In July and August, it’s best to go early or order the day before: queues build up quickly in the morning.
- At the campsite, bread is delivered every morning: no need to take the car for breakfast.
The best bakeries on the Ile de Ré, village by village
Here are addresses spotted all over the island. Most open early in the morning; in peak season, some also offer a small tea room or takeaway food.
| Village | Our top picks | The little extra |
|---|---|---|
| Sainte-Marie-de-Ré | La Douce Mie, Au Pain Marin | South of the island, near the bridge |
| Rivedoux-Plage | Boulangerie du centre (rue Édouard Herriot) | 1st village after the bridge |
| La Flotte | Do Ré Mie, in the heart of the medieval market | Listed village, market atmosphere |
| Saint-Martin-de-Ré | Au Fournil Marin, Do Ré Mie | A stone’s throw from the fortified harbour |
| Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré | Au Pain Marin (rue de la Glacière) | Close to the big beaches |
| La Couarde-sur-Mer | Au Pain Marin (Grande Rue) | Right next to the campsite |
| Loix | Place des Délices | An authentic, peaceful peninsula |
| Ars-en-Ré | Boulangerie de la place Carnot | Under the black-and-white church tower |
To find the bakery closest to where you’re staying (and check the day’s opening hours, which often change between low and high season), the map below lists the island’s bakeries.
Where to find gluten-free bread on the Ile de Ré?
Good news for anyone with an intolerance or allergy: the bakery Au Pain Marin makes gluten-free bread, alongside a wide range of classic loaves (sandwich, rye, wholemeal, cereal, sourdough, salt-free, farmhouse, organic) and regional breads like boules du marin and du pêcheur.
The shop also offers pastries and cakes (which can be ordered ahead), plus a tea room to enjoy them on the spot or take away. You’ll find it in particular at:
- Sainte-Marie-de-Ré: 1 cours des Écoles Lanoux (south of the island, near the bridge, Rivedoux and La Flotte).
- Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré: 3 rue de la Glacière (centre of the island, near Saint-Martin and La Couarde).
- La Couarde-sur-Mer and Ars-en-Ré: other outlets on the island.
Looking for other good addresses to treat your taste buds? Check out the restaurants on the Ile de Ré serving gluten-free dishes too.
Specialities to try at a Ré bakery
Beyond the baguette, Ré bakery windows give pride of place to treats from Poitou and Charentes. A few must-haves to slip into your basket:
- Broyé du Poitou: a big, golden, crisp shortbread that you crack open with a fist in the centre. Perfect with a coffee.
- Galette charentaise: soft, flavoured with angelica or butter, a teatime classic.
- Tourteau fromagé: recognisable by its dark dome, a light and airy fresh cheesecake.
- Treats with Ré fleur de sel: caramels and shortbread made with the island’s fine salt, great to bring home as a souvenir.
My morning trick: order the day before in peak season. By 9am in August, the best pastries are already gone! And for a sweet break after the beach, I never miss a broyé du Poitou with a fleur de sel caramel from Ré.
Pierre Schmitz
Our tips for bread during your holiday
- Come early or order the day before in July-August: that’s when queues form, especially on Sundays.
- Check opening hours off-season: in spring and autumn, some bakeries close one day a week or in the afternoon.
- Think of the campsite: at our campsite on the Ile de Ré, bread and pastries are delivered every morning, ready to collect on site without taking the car.
Crusty baguette, broyé du Poitou or gluten-free bread: wherever you’re staying, a good bakery is never far away on the Ile de Ré. The best way to enjoy it? Settle in the middle of the island and set off by bike, nose in the wind, in search of your favourite address.
