Ile De Re, off St La Rochelle, Loix, France is an almost flat island which is known for its traffic free areas for cyclists and pedestrians with miles of dedicated cycle and walking routes with most of the town centres free of traffic. The island has a number of salt lakes and some are still working. The cycle routes are well sign posted and many run along the sea and lakes flooded after the salt trade finished which attract many species of birds.
There are some beautiful towns, villages and ports to visit and many historic sites, all blessed with extensive planting and traditional French architecture mostly built in the local gold stone with slate roofs. There are many fine restaurants and cafes most located around the ports or village centres and most places have a colourful weekly market.
There is a wide range of accommodation including very good camp sites many adjacent to the golden sands on the East side of the island with extensive facilities.
We went with a group of folk musicians in our camper vans and found plenty of exciting places to visit including old forts and lighthouses all easily accessible by bike on tarmac or gravel cycle routes. We travelled down through France at a leisurely pace via Samour and the Green Venice area of France and home along the Atlantic coast and stayed on a number of camping aires at very reasonable prices which gave us a chance to explore some very interesting towns and villages reached on the D roads which took longer but much more interesting than the A roads or toll roads.
