Saint-Martin-de-Re
Saint Martin de Ré is on the northern coast of Ile-de-Ré, about half way along the island.
A harbour town, Saint Martin de Ré is an attractive and popular place with a bustling atmosphere, especially in the region around the harbour, which has many restaurants and shops (and an ice cream shop with the biggest range of flavours you've ever seen).
Many of the houses around the port in Saint Martin de Ré have that old, faded beauty that makes a place especially attractive - many of the buildings date from the 17th-18th centuries.
Further narrow streets climb the hill behind, leading to the old church - which has a belltower you can climb for some great views over the town and out to sea - this is also the best way to see the overall design of the fortifications that surround the town.
The town is well known as a fortified town, and has extensive fortifications and a citadel added by Vauban in the latter part of the 17th century. You will see these fortifications both as you approach the town, and along the seafront when in the town. In total there are 12km of fortifications here - walls up to eight metres high and two metres thick, with impressive gateway entrances and citadel - built to defend the western coast of France from attack by the English. The English never came, and from the 18th century on parts were used as a prison.
A guided tour of the fortifications can be made (ask in the St-Martin-de-Ré tourist office).
Twelve of these 'Vauban fortified sites' across France have now been listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Of the main towns and villages on Ile-de-Re, Saint Martin de Ré was much the most lively when we visited. You should also visit the classified villages of Ars-en-Re and La Flotte-en-Re.
See more pictures of Saint Martin de Ré
Visit Saint-Martin-de-Re (Poitou-Charentes, Charente-Maritime) travel, gites and hotels
Best Prices on Hotels in Saint-Martin-de-Re - Guaranteed
(see guarantee details) Reserve online, pay at the hotel
The Saint-Martin-de-Re hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Saint-Martin-de-Re is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Poitou-Charentes gites for Saint-Martin-de-Ré holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Poitou-Charentes Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: Places to Stay near Saint-Martin-de-Ré VisitSee Visit Saint-Martin-de-Re for places to visit near Saint-Martin-de-Re including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Saint-Martin-de-Re in our Poitou-Charentes forum La Rochelle airport at 19 km Nantes airport at 108 km Saint-Martin-de-Re property for saleSee Poitou-Charentes property for sale
|
|
||||||||||||
Tourist Classifications for Saint-Martin-de-Re
- Listed UNESCO World Heritage Site
Places to visit near Saint-Martin-de-Re, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Saint-Martin-de-Re.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
16 km: Ars-en-Re (Most beautiful village) 5 km: Ile de Re (Island) 30 km: Ile-d'Aix (Small fortified island) 5 km: La Flotte-en-Re (Most beautiful village) 24 km: La Rochelle (Port town) 19 km: La Rochelle airport (airport)
See also Saint-Martin-de-Re (version Francais)
