If you enjoy cycling, especially as a family, Île de Ré is hard to beat. This island feels like it was designed for bikes.
Just off the coast of La Rochelle, Île de Ré is one of the most loved summer escapes in western France. Yes, it has a reputation for being a bit chic, especially with Parisians. But the reality is simple. You can experience it in a very relaxed and affordable way.
And the best way to do that is by bike. In this guide, I’ll help you plan an easy and memorable cycling trip on Île de Ré.
Why Île de Ré is perfect for a cycling trip
This is one of the easiest places in France to plan a bike trip.
Even if you’re traveling with kids or don’t cycle often.
- The island is small
You can explore most of it in a weekend, but still have enough to fill a full week. - It’s completely flat
No climbs, no stress. Perfect for families. - Bike paths are everywhere
There are over 100 km of cycling paths, many far from roads. - The scenery changes constantly
You’ll pass through villages, forests, beaches, oyster farms, and salt marshes. - The beaches are incredible
Ending your day by the ocean is part of the experience.
What not to miss
Here are a few highlights you should include in your route:
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré
The liveliest village, with a beautiful harbor and Vauban fortifications. - La Flotte market
One of the nicest markets on the island. Great for a slow morning. - The salt marshes (marais salants)
You’ll cycle right through them. Stop to buy local sea salt. - Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré
For long sandy beaches and a great food market.
Practical information – everything you need to know before you go to Île de Ré
How to get to Île de Ré
First, get to La Rochelle.
From there, you have several options:
- By car
There’s a bridge connecting the island.
Toll: around €16 in summer, €8 off-season. Expect traffic in peak months. - By bus
Bus number 150 stops in several places in La Rochelle and crosses the bridge to the island. Easy and practical. It connects all the main villages. You can see all the stations here.
Once you’re on the island, there’s a free shuttle that helps you get from one village to another – see details here. - By bike
You can cycle across the bridge. It’s a bit of a climb, so check your kids are comfortable. - By boat
A fun option, often with views of Fort Boyard along the way – see all the info here.
Where to stay in Île de Ré
Where you stay on Île de Ré will really shape your experience, but the good news is that there’s no bad choice here.
Saint-Martin-de-Ré is the liveliest village on the island.
In summer, it gets quite busy, but if you want lots of restaurants and a bit of atmosphere in the evening, this is the place to be.
If you’re looking for something a bit calmer, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré is a great option.
It feels more local and less crowded, especially in high season.
For beach lovers, Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré is a great base.
It has some of the best beaches on the island and a very central location.
My personal favorite is La Flotte.
It’s beautiful, has a great market and a lovely harbor, but it can get quite expensive in summer.
Hotels
There are plenty of great hotels in every village. Here are two I can recommend:
Hôtel Le Français in La Flotte is all about location.
It’s right by the harbor, so you can step outside and immediately be in the middle of the village. It’s simple, not overly fancy, but perfect if you want everything within walking distance. Book it here.
La Lanternon in Saint-Martin-de-Ré feels a bit different.
It’s a small boutique place tucked away on a quiet street, with a much more intimate atmosphere. A good option if you want something a bit more peaceful after a day of cycling – book it here.
Camping (great with kids)
If you’re traveling with kids, camping is honestly one of the best ways to experience Île de Ré.
There are so many options all over the island, and most are very well equipped.
Camping Le Phare is a great choice if you want to be closer to nature.
It’s located in the wilder part of the island, with easy access to some of the nicest cycling routes. Book it here.
Slow Village Ile de Re is a bit more modern.
It has that relaxed, slightly “designed” feel, with more comfort while still keeping the camping spirit. Great if you want something easy and well set up. Book it here.
Where to rent bikes
You really don’t need to plan this. There are rental shops everywhere, in every village and near most campsites. Just pick the closest one when you arrive.
If you want a name, Beach Bikes is a good option, but honestly, it’s hard to go wrong here.
E-bike or regular bike?
You don’t need an e-bike here. The island is completely flat, so a normal bike is more than enough, even with kids.
The only time I’d consider an e-bike is if you have just one day and want to cover a lot of distance quickly.
How to plan your cycling route
When you rent a bike, you’ll get a map with all the cycling lanes.
A quick way to read it:
- Green = bike-only paths (the best ones)
- Green and Yellow dotted lines = very quiet roads
- Red = shared with cars
Try to stick to the green paths as much as possible. That’s where the experience is best.
One-day cycling itinerary
I recommend taking the time to discover the Island slowly, but if you have only one day, that’s how I would spend it.
Start in La Flotte, one of the most beautiful villages in Île de Ré. Grab a coffee, walk through the market, and take your time before getting on the bike.
Then cycle to Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
This is the liveliest village on the island and is definitely worth a proper stop.
Plan to spend at least an hour here, if not more.
Start with a walk around the harbor. The port is lined with cafés, restaurants, and small shops, so it’s a great place to sit for a coffee, lunch, or just an ice cream break.
Then take a stroll along the Vauban ramparts that surround the village.
From up there, you get a really nice view over the sea and the harbor, and it gives you a better sense of the history of the place.
There are also plenty of small boutiques and local shops if you feel like browsing a bit before getting back on your bike.
From there, continue toward Loix.
This is one of the most special parts of the island.
It’s where you really get to experience two of Île de Ré’s main products: salt and oysters.
As you cycle, the landscape completely changes.
You’ll find yourself riding through the salt marshes, with water reflecting the sky and birds all around. It’s quiet, open, and very different from the villages.
A quick note about salt – Salt has been produced here for centuries.
It’s still harvested by hand today, using traditional methods. Those shallow white basins you see are called marais salants, and each one plays a role in the process. If you see a small stand on the side of the road, it’s worth stopping to buy some local sea salt or fleur de sel.
👉 This is also the perfect moment to stop for oysters.
Along this stretch, you’ll find small oyster huts, often very simple, sometimes just a terrace with a few tables. Places like Ré Ostréa are great for a stop.
Expect something very local and unpretentious.
Fresh oysters served with bread, butter, maybe a glass of white wine, and that’s it. It’s not about fancy dining, it’s about the setting and the freshness.
Even if you’re not a big oyster fan, it’s worth stopping just for the atmosphere.
Continue to Loix.
It’s a small and quiet village, not a must-stop in itself, but there is one place worth knowing about here: the Village Artisanal. It’s not in the center of the village, so you need to go there on purpose, but if you like local products and handmade things, it’s a nice stop. You’ll find workshops and shops selling things like soap, books, knives, honey, and other local creations, so it’s a good place to look for original gifts.
From Loix, start making your way back through the southern part of the island, following the signs toward La Couarde-sur-Mer.
La Couarde is on the way back, and I think it makes a really good stop.
It’s not one of the most famous villages on Île de Ré, but I really like the atmosphere here. The center has quite a few cute restaurants and bars, so it’s a pleasant place to take a break, have lunch, or stop for a drink before continuing. It’s also close to some very nice beaches, so this can easily be your beach stop for the day.
Next, continue to Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré.
It’s one of the biggest and liveliest villages on the island. I wouldn’t say it’s the most charming one, but it’s very practical. It’s a good place to stop if you want something to eat or just a quick snack, and it also has one of the best outdoor markets on the island. But what it’s really known for is the beaches, which are some of the best on Île de Ré.
From there, you can start looping back depending on where you’re staying.
If you have 2 days or more
If you have more than one day, it’s really worth exploring the western part of the island.
It feels quite different from the east, a bit wilder and much less busy. Depending on where you’re staying, you can continue your ride in that direction.
Make a stop in Ars-en-Ré.
It’s one of the most beautiful villages on the island, and you’ll probably recognize it from its black and white church tower, which you can see from quite far away as you cycle.
The harbor is also really nice for a short break, with a few cafés, food shops and a relaxed atmosphere.
From there, take the cycling path toward the Phare des Baleines.
This is one of the highlights of the western side.
If you’re up for it, climb to the top. The view over the island and the ocean is really worth it, and it also helps you understand just how flat and narrow Île de Ré actually is.
From the lighthouse, continue to Les Portes-en-Ré.
This is probably the calmest and most remote village on the island.
It really feels like you’ve reached the end of the road. The beaches here are more wild, less crowded, and perfect if you want to slow down a bit.
It’s a great place to stop, walk along the beach, or just take a proper break before heading back.
On the way back, you’ll cycle again through the salt marshes between Les Portes and Ars, and this is honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. It’s quiet, open, and feels completely different from the busier areas of the island.
Final thoughts
Île de Ré is one of those places where you don’t need to overplan. Just rent a bike, follow the paths, and stop whenever something looks good. That’s really how you get the most out of it. And if you’re traveling with kids, it’s probably one of the easiest and most enjoyable trips you can do in France.
Read Next: The Most beautiful villages in Ile de Re
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