Things To Do
Ars-en-Ré
Biking to Ars-en-Ré to have breakfast and go to the market is one of Florence's favorite activity on the island! If your only free time is Friday and/or Saturday morning, we highly recommend biking to and walking around this lovely village. Make sure to bike through "les marais salants" (salted marshes), the way is well indicated (if you see cars next to you after Les Portes, you are not on the right path, go back!). Once there, walk around the market but also make sure to walk around the town and visit the church whose bell tower is a unique landmark for sailors navigating at sea, as its black and white colors stand out from the horizon. Fun Fact: Ars-en-Ré is one of "Les Plus Beaux Village de France" ("The most beautiful villages of France"). While 156 villages make the list...there are over 32,000 villages in France, so we think you'll find the visit worth it!
Les Portes-en-Ré
While you'll go to Les Portes for our ceremony, we recommending also going in the morning to enjoy the market and take the time to explore the village and many beautiful little streets!
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
For those who have a car we recommend making the trip to Saint-Martin (~30 min drive from Les Portes-En-Ré), the largest and most iconic harbor of the island. Walk around town, go for lunch on the harbor, for ice cream at La Martiniere, and don't miss the beautiful views on top of the clocher observatory (on top of the local church). Fun fact: The fortifications in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, drawn up by Vauban, famous for being appointed as Louis XIV's military engineer, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their testimony to Vauban's work and its influence on military strategy and architecture over the subsequent 200 years.
Plage de la Patache
The Teirlinck's family beach (and the Kostecki's too as of their recent stay in June!) As the tide rises and falls it empties and fills the "Fier d'Ars", creating very strong currents. When you arrive, walk on the beach "against the current". Then go in the water and let yourself float with the current. Locals call this a "Mao". If you walk towards your left for 15 minutes, you'll find yourself on the plage de Trousse-Chemise, one of the island's most famous beach. Fun Fact: Plage de la Patache is located in the forest of Trousse-Chemise, which inspired a song of the same name by Charles Aznavour.
Plage du Petit-Bec
One of our favorite beach (also very fun to swim in the waves if it's been windy!)