Anyone been to the Ile de Re in August?

[bluejelly]

Thinking of a suitable holiday for me and my dd. I don't drive and the Ile de Re looked ideal, lots of cycling trails and no need for a car
But I was wondering if it would be hopelessly crowded in August when everyone in France goes on their hols..
Has anyone been?

yes it will be crowded I'm afraid... but then most beach places in France will be in August!
Haven't been there in august, and haven't been there for a loooong time
I think my brother and his family are going over there this summer
it is lovely though, I'd probably go regardless....

v crowded but lush

Oh that's quite encouraging.. is it horribly expensive?

yes

Oh dear... is it horribly hot?

no

(baby on lap)

Oh good... was hoping it might be cooled by atlantic breezes...

So has anyone got any accomodation recommendations for the ile de re?
Up for anything that's not horribly expensive

bluejelly, I think you may struggle to find something for August! I tried for July about 3 months ago, everything booked!

How big a place are you looking for?
I only need 1 bedroom as it's only me and dd
I had a look on one website which had an okay-looking place for the end of August/early sept
Costs 285 euros a week
It was on homelidays.com

I looked too a couple of months ago (I thought that was reasonably forward-planning!) and everything I liked (and was prepared to pay) was booked.

It does sound like it gets heaving with French holidaymakers in August.

Sounds lovely though (wistful emoticon...)

St martin de Re is the best part of the island but it will be terribly crowded and expensive. How are you going to get there if you don't drive?

Maybe you could consider flying to Bordeaux and going to Arcachon which will be much easier to get around and is great fun.

bluejelly if you are going after teh bank holiday at the end of August you should be OK, I tried to get camping accommadtion there in August about 6 or 8 weeks ago and NOTHING!!

I am so booking early for next year - I can always cancel (might lose a small deposit, but better that than nothing)

DEE it is only about 20 miles from La Rochelle Airport, you can fly there from Stanstead and get a cab. I am also quite sure you can get buses too.

All that area is heaving in July/August, but as soon as the first of September comes the crowds leave and it is so much nicer. The weather is often really good too. I far prefer that part of the world in June or September - DH has family near there but we try and avoid peak season if possible. Ile de Re was written up again in the Guardian on Saturday as having some of Europe's most beautiful beaches which no doubt will make it even busier!