Le chemin des marais à vélo

Through this tour, discover the landscapes where the white gold of the island of Ré is born. Around the Fier d'Ars, the marshes have long been home to a population of salt workers. The annual production of 30,000 tonnes of salt in the 19th century has fallen to around 2,000 tonnes of coarse salt and 200 tonnes of fleur de sel today. Currently, about a hundred salt workers harvest salt from 500 hectares of cultivated marshes. Young enthusiasts are taking up the challenge of saving the future of these salt marshes. La Couarde-sur-Mer At the crossroads of the island's roads and on the edge of the beach, La Couarde-sur-Mer is the place that families particularly like. The town centre, which has the feel of a seaside resort, is very lively, particularly around the bandstand: the only one of its kind on the island, it hosts open-air concerts throughout the summer season. On the beach side, several kilometres of golden sand delight bathers who can enjoy a wide range of water sports. Ars-en-Ré Passing the 80-metre wide Martray isthmus, the cycle path seems to balance on the ocean. The Fier d'Ars, a small inland sea, which gently silted up, is a great ecological treasure and the preferred place of residence of large migratory birds. On this route through the marshes, the first thing that signals the town of Ars from afar, from the land as well as from the sea, is its white bell tower with the black painted arrow. This is normal, as it was used as a landmark for ships before the construction of lighthouses. The church of Saint-Etienne is, with the abbey of Châteliers, the oldest religious building on the island. Ars-en-Ré is one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" and is home to the island's largest port, with more than 500 moorings. Life is organised between the port and its cafés, the church and the market, which attract many visitors. Surrounded on both sides by the sea and the salt marshes, market gardens and vineyards, Ars-en-Ré has an undeniable charm, combining simplicity and elegance. You will definitely fall in love with it. Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve and Maison du Fier Along the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve, you will have the opportunity to observe thousands of birds during their migration or when they are nesting. At the gates of the ornithological reserve, the L.P.O. offers you the opportunity to discover the island of Ré through a mosaic of life and natural environments for a journey to the heart of nature in Ré! Les Portes-en-Ré At the tip of the island, between forests, salt marshes and beaches, lies the village of Les Portes-en-Ré. With its terraces and restaurants, the Place de la Liberté is at the heart of village life and comes alive at the end of the afternoon when you return from the beach. Not to mention the Trousse-Chemise wood would be a serious oversight: this corner of paradise, immortalized by Charles Aznavour, has kept its magic intact.