©Kitesurf Plage Rivedoux Ile De Re By Edouard Salmon Rotated|Edouard Salmon Skystudio

Rivedoux-Plage

Idyllic gateway to the Ile de Ré

Rivedoux-Plage, a charming seaside village, is the first to be discovered when crossing the bridge from the mainland, and is renowned for its two large sandy beaches, ideal for swimming and water sports. It also boasts numerous hiking and cycling trails, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding countryside.

Île de Ré’s premier waterfront village

Rivedoux-Plage is characterized by two long strips of fine sand: on the north coast, a large bay, much appreciated by walkers, cyclists and kitesurfers, facing the Vendée; and on the south-east side, a long white sandy beach facing the Isle of Aix and La Rochelle! Nearby, you’ll find the Pointe de Chauveau with its lighthouse rising to a height of over 30 m. It’s the only open-ocean lighthouse in Charente-Maritime! Traces of ancient fish locks are also visible nearby.

The two-kilometre-long south coast invites you to relax and enjoy water sports. Rivedoux-Plage is a popular spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. From the south beach, you can also go fishing at low tide during high tides (minimum coefficient 80) in the rocky and sandy areas. Tourist information offices distribute guides to good fishing practices and shellfish measuring scales.

Originally a small fishing port, Rivedoux-Plage became a strategic point in the ^17th century. In 1674, Vauban built one of the island’s three redoubts, a 45-metre-long fort, to protect the coast from our hereditary enemy. To complete this overview, you’ll need to take the time to stroll along the harbour, a stone’s throw from the shops and the lively year-round market, a central meeting place for all kinds of people. At low tide, you’ll discover the oyster beds that have made Rivedoux a mecca for oyster farming. To be enjoyed without moderation!

Did you know?

The Ile de Ré bridge was inaugurated in 1988. A vital link between La Rochelle and the island, it is almost 3 km long and has 28 piers. It’s the second longest in France!

The island’s youngest village: an invitation to the Ile de Ré for all

Formerly part of Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Rivedoux-Plage is the youngest village on the island, dating back to 1928! But it’s its youth that is its strength! In fact, its recent heritage makes it unique, as evidenced by its resolutely modern church dating from 1972, or its contemporary market and esplanade de la Mer. Historically, Rivedoux was also the island’s first oyster-farming zone and the first resort before the bridge was built in 1988 and the village became a more residential commune.

The first village on the island of Ré, Rivedoux-Plage is the starting point for your exploration of Ré. It’s here that your first impressions for the rest of your stay are formed. In a way, it can be seen as a small island of Ré, with its typical green-shuttered houses, beaches, port and oysters. Surrounded by vineyards, marshes and forests, it gives you a taste of what’s to come, while retaining its own identity. A word of advice: make a stopover, because Rivedoux-Plage is much more than just a place to visit!

©Esplanade De La Mer Concert Rivedoux Laurence Furic|Laurence Furic

©Plage Rivedoux Laurence Furic|Laurence Furic

The newest village and one of the smallest on the island, with a surface area of 4.6 km², Rivedoux-Plage nonetheless attracts no fewer than 2,320 permanent residents. It’s in summer that the village really comes into its own, attracting crowds with its family-friendly summer events. This is also the time of year when you can enjoy the beaches of Sablanceaux and the south, thanks to a free shuttle bus that crosses the bridge. So there’s no excuse to come and spend some idle time in La Rochelle!