La Couarde-sur-Mer: Coastline and Salt History

La Couarde-sur-Mer combines coastline, island history and active days on holiday. A paved path runs along the dune by the beach and offers views of the Pertuis d’Antioche. There is also Plage de la Pergola for swimming and surfing, as well as numerous opportunities for water sports at La Couarde-sur-Mer beach.

Holiday apartment in La Couarde-sur-Mer between the beach and the water

Plage du Peu Ragot has two Tiralos, an access ramp to the beach, an accessible platform and reserved accessible parking spaces. It is also the only supervised beach in La Couarde-sur-Mer. Sailing, kitesurfing, jet skiing, water skiing, stand-up paddleboarding and surf fishing are also offered at La Couarde-sur-Mer beach. This makes it possible to combine relaxing hours on the beach with a range of activity ideas.

Church, bandstand and Chenal du Goisil

The parish church of Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation contains a collection of 14 figurative stained-glass windows. The church was completely rebuilt between 1865 and 1867 according to plans by the architect Ernest Massiou. The Kiosque à musique is the last surviving bandstand on Île de Ré. It was inaugurated in 1895, most recently restored in 2017 and hosts concerts during the season.

The Chenal du Goisil is located on the northern coast of La Couarde-sur-Mer. It is a picturesque spot appreciated by painters and photographers. Its channel probably dates back to the Middle Ages. Until 1882, the Chenal du Goisil was used as a refinery to process the grey, coarse salt of Île de Ré.

Salt, cycle path and water sports

The salt marshes of Sel d’Isabelle can be visited free of charge and without an appointment every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 1 May to 15 September, except when it rains. Fleur de Sel, natural salt, and regional savoury and sweet products are sold directly in the Le Sel d’Isabelle shop. Le Sel d’Isabelle has been producing salt since 1920.

The Centre Nautique Couardais du Goisil offers an introduction to sailing from the age of five in the salt-marsh area on the northern coast of La Couarde-sur-Mer. Its programme also includes introductions to windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, foiling, wing catamaran sailing and dinghy sailing on enclosed waters. For cycling tours, the Le chemin des marais à vélo cycle path begins in La Couarde-sur-Mer; it is 18 km long.

Which location is right for your holiday apartment?

When choosing a holiday apartment in La Couarde-sur-Mer, you can take your preferred holiday rhythm as a guide. Beach days, surfing and water sports offer a different focus from visiting the church, attending concerts at the Kiosque à musique or exploring the salt history at the Chenal du Goisil. Those travelling with children will find a specific activity option in the sailing programme for children aged five and over; those looking for exercise can include the 18-km cycle path in their plans. The salt marshes and the sale of regional products add a culinary and local dimension to the stay.

Other places on Île de Ré

If you would like to discover other places in addition to La Couarde-sur-Mer, these destinations will lead you to additional travel ideas: Saint-Christophe, Siecq, Chassiron, Mazeray, Chambon, Saint-Fort-Sur-Gironde, Chenac-Saint-Seurin-D'uzet and Fontaines-D'ozillac.

For the higher-level travel overview: Charente-Maritime.