I get lots of emails and instagram messages asking about holiday recommendations. Just like you I always think a word of mouth recommendation is a good thing, and when I’m researching where we will go I always read blog posts and look on instagram for some real life experiences.
Ile de re has been one of our favourite destinations for years. One of the reasons we love it is that once we’ve arrived we can cycle everywhere and not use the car for the whole time we’re there. The other reason is it ticks all of my foodie boxes! Oyster beds surround the island, small fishing boats bob around the coast and heaps of langoustine and glistening Moules grace the fish stalls in the market.
the impressive deli in Are-en-Re market
cooking langoustine on the beach
I’m always game for trying anything and don’t believe camping cooking should feel mean or difficult, this year I got to grips with cooking langoustines on the BBQ (why would you when you can get a carrier bag full for 15e!) and we discovered the lovely little scallops you can see in the photo above, they are a little like a queenie that we would get here but you buy them in their shell like a mussel, the lovely lady on the fish stall suggested we put them on the bbq till they pop open and then drizzle them with garlic butter, they were delicious. Its a shame as a nation we brits aren’t more adventurous with our fish cooking every time I go on holiday it makes me think I must be more adventurous with fish!
Ile de Re is a fabulous place for families as theres loads to do. I like my kids to be enjoying the great outdoors on holiday , its a chance to abandon screens and connect with each other and the local community (they aren’t always in agreement on the screen abandonment!!) The island is crisscrossed with miles of cycle tracks so our day usually involves cycling to the market for provisions, stopping at the bakery, making lunch and then a cycle to the beach, an aperitif on the way home and then some fish on the grill.
The north of the island is punctuated by nature reserves, salt flats and oyster beds - you can cycle for miles past the oyster shacks and have a delicious lunch of fresh oysters, crevettes and a glass of wine for about 10 e.
We love Ars En Re , and thats where we tend to base ourselves. We have stayed further down the island near La Flotte and the capital St Martin,( and if you are only going for a couple of days this is where I would probably suggest.) However if you are going for longer I would go further up the island as the cycle tracks are quieter and there are slightly fewer people. As you know we are a family of campers! I have investigated most of the campsites on the island in search of a tiny magical place. There isn’t one!!!! I think the best is camping Essi , please don’t tell anyone as its my secret place! If you like lots of entertainment and kids club etc its not for you, if you like French families and clean and tidy and peaceful then its lovely! Its an easy cycle into the little town of Ars (titter ye not!!) which has the most fantastic daily market in the summer.
The beaches are sandy , and relatively quiet, because the island is buffeted by the Atlantic breezes its never baking hot, theres always a breeze. Theres waves at the north end of the island by the lighthouse, and calmer seas along the coast at Les Portes. We loved ‘doing the Mao’ as recommended by my friend Kate of Oakley Moore design. As the tide is incoming you can bob along the channel La Patache at some speed , clamber out on the beach , walk back up the same and do it all over again - lots of fun!!
Whether you have a trip planned or staycation this year enjoy your hols!