A centuries of history and insular civilization

Bell tower of Saint Martin de Ré, by Pierre Galine

Crossing centuries of history and insular civilization

Strategic strip of land protecting the estuary of the river Charente for cen-turies, the island has a fascinating past.

Immerse yourself in the history of the island at one of our museums, or just walk through the streets and down the back lanes within villages.

Several events testify: from the four islets that formed it in the first centuries of our era to the arrival of the Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages, the English and Dutch invasions to the construction of the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré by Vauban classified UNESCO, and from World War II to the present day.

Chapels and churches, medieval vestiges, sea bitter and ex-voto, fish locks and military fortifications, you go through history by discovering these cultural and architectural treasures.