Travelling by motorhome on the Ile de Ré means combining freedom of movement with real closeness to nature. One thing to keep in mind, though: the island protects its listed sites, and overnight parking is strictly regulated here. Before hitting the road, it’s best to know where you’re allowed to park. This guide lists the equipped motorhome areas commune by commune, their facilities and the rules you need to follow. Want to plan your stay? Discover our campsite on the Ile de Ré and our tips for a wonderful, worry-free stay on the Ile de Ré.
Key points to remember
- The Ile de Ré has a handful of official motorhome areas, spread across Rivedoux-Plage, La Flotte, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines and Les Portes-en-Ré.
- Several communes (La Couarde-sur-Mer, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Ars-en-Ré, Loix) have no dedicated area: plan your stopover ahead of time.
- Overnight parking, between 11 pm and 7 am, is banned outside equipped areas and campsites across the whole island.
- Expect to pay roughly €11 to €22 per 24 hours depending on the commune and season, with waste disposal and water often included or charged as an extra.
- La Tour des Prises campsite, in La Couarde-sur-Mer, welcomes motorhomes on pitches and has its own waste disposal point.
Motorhome areas on the Ile de Ré, commune by commune
To protect its listed landscapes, the island deliberately limits the number of motorhome areas. These stopovers remain, above all, practical stops designed for one or two nights, not for an extended stay. Here are the main ones, from the bridge to the tip of the island.
| Commune | Area / facilities | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rivedoux-Plage | 125 avenue Gustave Perreau, around 24 spaces facing the ocean, open all year round, water & electricity. | From €14.90 to €19 per 24 hours depending on the season, water point around €3. First stop just after the bridge. |
| La Flotte | Route de La Noue, waste disposal, water & electricity. | A stone’s throw from one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” and its harbour. |
| Saint-Martin-de-Ré | Rue du Rempart, 17 spaces, parking, water & waste disposal via an automatic terminal. | Around €11 per night, card payment, about 1 km from the beach and at the foot of the Vauban fortifications. |
| Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré | 68 avenue du Pas des Bœufs, one chargeable area and one municipal area, waste disposal & water. | From €16 to €22 per 24 hours depending on the period, close to the large sandy beaches. |
| Saint-Clément-des-Baleines | 64 rue de la Forêt, large area with around 45 spaces, full facilities. | 24-hour stopover around €20, close to the beach and the Phare des Baleines lighthouse. |
| Les Portes-en-Ré | An area with around ten pitches, at the wild, nature-focused tip of the island. | About 200 m from the beach, in an unspoilt setting close to the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve. |
Rates and capacity change from one season to the next: always check the display on the payment terminal before paying. In high season, these areas fill up fast and operate on a rotation basis, with no booking possible at most of them.
Parking and regulations
The Ile de Ré isn’t a free-for-all. Between 11 pm and 7 am, parking of leisure vehicles is banned everywhere outside dedicated areas and campsites, built-up areas included. This strictness comes from the protection of the island’s listed natural spaces: so forget the idea of spending the night in a car park facing the ocean.
A few rules worth keeping in mind before you set off:
- Waste water can only be emptied at the designated disposal points. Illegal dumping can result in a fine of several hundred euros.
- Parking duration is often capped at 48 or 72 hours, a rule strictly enforced in July and August.
- Watch out for coastal car parks in low-lying areas: some sectors can be affected by spring tides and flooding risks.
- At the bridge toll, motorhomes fall into a higher price category than cars: factor this cost into your budget.
On the Ile de Ré, motorhome travel goes hand in hand with freedom, as long as you respect these exceptional natural sites. A pitch at the campsite gives you the best of both worlds: the independence of your vehicle and the comfort of proper facilities.
Pierre Schmitz
Motorhomes: the campsite alternative
If the motorhome areas feel a bit too basic for you, or if you’re travelling as a family over several days, a campsite offers a more comfortable base to explore the island from. La Tour des Prises campsite, in La Couarde-sur-Mer, welcomes motorhomes on spacious motorhome pitches on the Ile de Ré, at least 85 m², from around €161 a week for a bare pitch.
On site, you’ll enjoy a motorhome waste disposal point, water and electricity connections, well-kept sanitary facilities and all the amenities of the grounds. The campsite is around 600 m from the beach and right at the centre of the island, ideally placed for exploring the villages and the network of cycle paths, engine switched off. It’s a relaxed way to combine the nomadic spirit with the comfort of a settled stay.
To go further, discover our itinerary for touring the Ile de Ré by motorhome and plan every stage of your trip.
Open from April to the end of September, La Tour des Prises campsite has a pitch waiting for you right at the heart of the Ile de Ré. Book your spot now and settle in to make the most of your stay.
