Maison du Guara, Ile de Ré

The Ile de Ré is one of the jewels of the French Atlantic coast; measuring 30 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide, it is famed for its sunny climate. This magical island of dunes, salt marshes and pine forests is popular with well-heeled Parisiens and has the ambiance of a French Hamptons. Each of the ten villages have a unique charm but all bustle with wonderful food markets selling fantastic local produce including oysters, salt (fleur de sel), potatoes, fish and wine. Maison du Guara is perfectly positioned for exploring both the northern and southern villages of Ré. The charming centre of La Couarde, a pretty fishmen's village of whitewashed houses and narrow lanes garlanded by wild hollyhocks, is a five minute cycle away. During the summer months La Couarde hosts two food markets and the centre of the village is alive with restaurants, bars and shops.  The historic villages of Ars-en-Ré and Saint Martin-de-Ré are close by and are both charming to visit either by bicycle or by car.  But the best way to see the island it to take to a bicycle – the terrain is wonderfully flat and there are 100 kilometres of cycle paths to explore. Horse-riding is also popular, whilst the water around the island brings a host of sporting activities including canoeing, sailing, boat trips, windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing, surfing and fishing.