Kampaoh Ile de Ré

Historic sights around the island include the ruins of the 12th-century Abbaye des Châteliers, on the north coast; and the Vauban fortifications – built in the 1680s – in the town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Both are a 10-minute drive (25 minutes by bike) from the site. A stroll around the Vieux Port in La Rochelle (half an hour) yields views of the two medieval towers protecting the harbour, the Grosse Horloge (a stone city gate topped by an ornate clock tower), La Grande Roue Ferris wheel and plenty of elegant yachts. The Musée Maritime de La Rochelle explores the town’s naval history. The dunes and salt marshes of the Réserve Naturelle de Lilleau des Niges (35 minutes) attract a wide variety of resident and migratory birds, including shelducks, curlews and oystercatchers. The local chapter of the Bird Protection League arranges themed walks with a wildlife expert.