Ars-en-Ré
One of the 'most beautiful villages in France' on Île de Ré. Its black-and-white spire church serves as a sailors' landmark, and hollyhocks bloom along the whitewashed, green-shuttered lanes.
Ars-en-Ré sits on the western side of Île de Ré and has been designated one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'. The black-and-white spire of the Church of Saint-Étienne once guided fishermen. The narrow village lanes are lined with whitewashed walls and green shutters, and in summer hollyhocks bloom along the walls. The village is surrounded by salt marshes, and a bicycle path leads from here to the Phare des Baleines and the Loix salt marshes. The small harbour has restaurants and oyster shacks, and there are markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Phare des Baleines
- Île de Ré Salt Marshes & Écomusée
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré & Vauban Fortifications
- Phare de Chassiron
- Abbaye des Châteliers
- Port des Minimes
- Plage de la Concurrence & Mail
- Tour de la Lanterne