St-Martin en Ré
by Norali
St- Martin is the island's capital. It is a North coast fishing port. As for landscape, it has some whitewashed houses that are clustered around the stone quays, La Poithevinière for instance. On mornings, flat-bottomed oyster boats download their cage-like devices used for "growing" oysters, from the quays of the harbour.
This capital has some boutiques with international brands (Versace,...), is packed with prettty good restaurants. In fact, it is a destination for the wealthy ones. Not that it is really expensive, it's more related with the media hype the island has.
Strolling on St-martin quays, have some drinks on terrasses... Also seeing the entry of the harbour, the remparts and imagining the past of this area.
Walking on the dam, sitting there to hear the lapping of the waves when touching the pontoon. With those yachts, with the bright young things around, making their pic group... And not that far, some kind of fishing boats in nearby... Pleasure and work in same area..
IR, oyster farming
by Norali
Oyster breeding has been a long tradition of the island.
In Ars en Ré area, you can visit the oyster farms, they have some guided tour with video, in situ tour..etc... Also, don't forget to visit the stalls packed with the oysters. The women there are very helpful, would give you all information. I remembered having asked sthg without any intention to buy, they were happy to give the information.
The guy who works in the oyster beds was less communicative though... Yet, visiting the farm, understanding the breeding process is really interesting.
Unfortunately, I couldn't remember the name of the farm. It is near salty marshes of Ars. May that help?
Cycling, Biking
by Norali
Be it for visiting the whole island or for some parts, bicycle is the most appropriate transportation means.
By bike, you can discover everyhting: the vineyards, the beach, the salty marshes, the alleys, moonuments, ruins.
Of course, there are enough cycling paths on the island to cycle along the beach. It is eventually a sport tip for the island. I read there are some 100 kms of cycling path. It's possible to rent a bike at La Pallice area, just before riding the bridge. Park your car, hire the bike and go. If you do that, I think you don't even have to pay the toll.
As for the bike, renting from there is recommended since even your pet won't be left alone. Bikes there are equipped with basket/ box for the pets. :)
L'ancienne abbaye des chateliers: more?
by Norali
Easy!
"Cistercian abbey
NOTRE DAME de RE
alias "Des Ch?teliers"
12th century
Classified historical monument"
Also, is said that "Vehicles are forbidden the access (to the abbey area)"
At last, this is part of La Flotte commune.
Comunication to camping-cars: "Parking from 11pm to 7am is forbidden outside the camping sites"
This was at the entry of the abbey area.
Oysters farms
by Norali
A real activity that can rise a passion for oyster is visiting the farms.
I like oyster very much (Ian-Grace!!!!). Though I couldn't have a tour in the oyster farms. I could see the "bassin" (the pool where they breed oysters aftre their stint in the "wild") and have a little bit of explanation for free. I think it is what they call "affinage" or refining.
Yet, I think you can pay for a real tour in the farm. I don't know about farm stay, for long duration, though...
I could talk a bit with a farmer but we were only near the pool, not in the marshes. He was passionate but not in a "seller" mood. Well, he was not a guide, that's maybe the reason. :)
The passion farmers use to have for their job surely comes from their awareness of this to be a tradition. And also, from the pride the area feels for its local products that have spread all over the country, if not Europe and world. As far as I know, France is the place where to savour oysters. They are from this French Atlantic coast...
Oysters, white wine, lemon and the appropriate bread... I'm returning!
PS: Of course, you have the stalls in nearby premices, where to buy many types of oysters. Ladies there were very helpful, gave lots of information. Mouthwatering!
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from the top of the lighthouse
Le Phare des Baleines
The entry
Fortifications, St Martin, Île de Ré
