The town of Sainte Marie de Ré is at the entrance to the island, about 5 km after the bridge. During the summer months, from June 15 to September 15, each entry to the island costs €16 at the toll booth. Outside this period, the toll is between €4 and €8, depending on the season. Exit is free. The two lanes on either side of the bridge are free and reserved for cyclists and pedestrians.
Rue de la Grange is a quiet little street. The sea is 850 m away, less than 15 minutes on foot, and bike hire is 500 m away. And Place d’Antioche, Sainte-Marie’s main square, is around 700 m away. You’ll find a tobacconist, newsagent, baker, pizzeria, butcher, bar-brasserie, launderette, ready-to-wear clothing, beauty salon, hairdresser, post office and tourist office… In the morning, this is where you’ll find the market.
A little further on, you’ll find a Carrefour Contact supermarket open 7 days a week, a pharmacy and, further on, towards La Noue, other shops and restaurants. An Intermarché supermarket in La Flotte is a 6-minute drive away, and the Leclerc hypermarket in Saint-Martin is an 8-minute drive away.
There’s also a free electric shuttle service between Saint-Martin-de-Ré, La Flotte, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré and Le Bois-Plage. This runs from March 30 to September.
The 150 bus line connects La Rochelle and the TGV station. From Sablanceaux to Les Portes-en-Ré, passing through all the island’s villages and main points of interest, the bus also makes it easy to get around, reducing traffic on the roads.
The Thalasso of Sainte-Marie is about 1 miles. The “phare des baleines” is at the other side of the island at about 20 miles. The fortified city of saint Martin de Ré is at about 10 minutes by car as the one of La flotte and the famous medieval market.
On the island you will find not less than 60 miles of cycling tracks.
You will also have the possibility to make beautiful walks in the country side and along the sea. You have around 400 hectares of Forest for the walkers, also crossed by the cycling tracks.
Aside the Montamer beach at La Noue (15 minutes by bike) you will find l’ancre maritaise which offers, during the season, animations oriented on nature and the sea for children and adults.
