Discover Sainte-Marie-De-Ré

Sainte-Marie-De-Ré combines a coastline with impressive traces of various eras. Around the town, discoveries range from fish weirs and stargazing to a historic chapel, a lookout point from the occupation period and sweeping views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Culture and History

The A.N.C.R.E. Maritaise is housed in a former 19th-century lime kiln. Its offerings include tours of fish weirs, nature excursions, stargazing and exhibitions. The Maison du Meunier is open to visitors and hosts cultural events in summer.

The Chapelle Port Notre-Dame was built in the 16th century and is now in the condition it was in in 1815. The Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is already mentioned in 12th-century archives; its bell tower dates from the 15th century. In the immediate vicinity of Sainte-Marie-De-Ré are also the remains of the Abbaye Notre-Dame des Châtelliers, which are considered ruins.

Under the Ancien Régime, the Chapelle Saint-Sauveur was the destination of a major pilgrimage on 6 August. After its restoration, the festival was revived and supplemented with a blessing of the sea. The Bunker de la plage de la Salée is an observation post dating from the occupation between 1940 and 1945 and offers a lookout point.

For your personal travel planning, you can arrange the historical impressions according to your own interests. Religious buildings, religious traditions, places of remembrance and cultural offerings provide different thematic approaches; no fixed order is prescribed. This leaves room not only for architectural history but also for events, exhibitions and observing nature, without requiring you to combine all the highlights in a single visit.

Nature and Circular Route

The Balade accessible à Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, certified Tourisme & Handicap, is a 4.8-kilometre circular route starting in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré. Different types of activity can be presented here as separate focal points: nature excursion, circular route, cultural event, exhibition or stargazing.

La Plage de la Salée is an unspoilt beach. From there, there are wide, unobstructed views of Île d’Oléron and the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches Plage Sud, Plage Nord, Plage de l'Arénault and Plage de la Clavette are also located in the immediate vicinity of Sainte-Marie-De-Ré.

When planning, you can switch between different impressions and take up the themes in the order that suits your day.

Further Discoveries in the Surrounding Area

The Artothèque de La Rochelle, a museum, is located in the vicinity of Sainte-Marie-De-Ré. The Aquarium de la Rochelle, classified as a zoo, is also located there. The Hôtel de la Bourse is a historic site in the same area.

When planning a trip to Sainte-Marie-De-Ré, a holiday apartment can be assessed based on travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions. The local attractions range from cultural events and historic sites to beach scenery, circular routes and stargazing.

Further Destinations

Le Gua, Sonnac, Chenac-Saint-Seurin-D'uzet, Salignac-Sur-Charente, Cercoux, Chérac, La Brée-Les-Bains, Lorignac

To the main travel overview: Charente-Maritime.