Ile de re - give me your tips please

[Yippeedoodaa]

Heading there tomorrow for the first time with DH and DCs (6&3). We are staying in Le Bois area in a posh caravan.

Anyone have any tips of things to do (other than obvious cycling and beaches), villages to visit and most importantly good places to eat breakfast/lunch/dinner? I doubt we will cook that much so recommendations for those would be great.

Can't wait to go as heard such lovely things

Il de Ré is lovely. TBH other than cycling and beaches there isn't much to do but that is the charm.

Do not be tempted to go to the Arc en ciel animal/butterfly museum in Ars en Ré . All the butterflies are pinned to boards in dusty display cases.

Do take a day out to visit La Rochelle.

We live about 45 mins away. I am sitting on my terrace with beautiful sunshine and 28C. Having eaten a lunch of melon and fresh tomatoes. You will have a great time.

Oooh thanks Frenchfancy that sounds glorious! Where do you live? Think we may be tempted never to leave!!

Near Fontenay le Comte in the South Vendee. We came on holiday 15 years ago and never left!

We had a lovely day cycling in the salt marshes at the top of the island.

Hired bikes by the lighthouse, cycled around, had lunch in Les Portes (GORGEOUS village), came back, wondered on beach by lighthouse for a bit.

Also - Ars en re was a good tip - lovely market to mooch around and lots of lovely restaurants.

We stayed in La Flotte which was great for beach/shops/cafe convenience as our kids are little still.

We did the swimming pool on our rainy day but didn't get to see the donkeys as we were out of high season.

I wasn't super keen on St Martin if Im honest but I know most people are.

We had a very lovely week and would go back in a flash!