The island is littered with beautiful beaches. You can expect long sandy tidal expanses that go on for many kilometres, with fine sand and grey-blue skies.
The best beaches are Plage de Gros Jonc in Bois Plage (20 min cycle from St Martin, 30 mins from La Flotte), Plage des Prises (a little further, may need to drive) and Plage des Trousses Chemises all the way at the far end of the island. 

Hands down the best way to get around the island is by renting some bikes and cycling between the towns. There are public cycle tracks (away from the roads) which wind through vineyards and along the salt flats all around the island. Day trips to the market or to the beaches are easily accomplished by bike, and if you're looking for more of a challenge then try to make it all the way to Phare des Baleines, the lighthouse at the end of the island. There are bike rental shops in all the towns, and they're all pretty good. 

The food is generally amazing everywhere. These are some of our favourite spots :
Bistrot du Marin: Delicious authentic french bistro food, the menu is limited and they serve what they want when they want, but it's always incredible and absolutely rammed.
Cafe de la Paix: Good for a wine or a cocktail, and they do a great moules frites, more of a casual drink/snack vibe (not one to sit down for a 3 course meal).

Le Serghi: More fancy upmarket restaurant on the water (tablecloths and nice plating) delicious local seafood (and some land options). 

Au Pot D'Etain: Best crêpes you'll ever have. They do savoury and sweet options (including salted caramel from the island) and although this one is set back from the water so you don't get the view, it's a great quick dinner option. And the best crêpes of your life. ​

L'Ecailler (la flotte): Newly opened last year, this restaurant offers a delicious fine dining experience. There is the option of a 5 course or 7 course set menu of local produce done to a very high standard, and they also do lunch in a slightly more casual setting. 

LES COPAINS BÂBORD: Oyster farm/restaurant on the foreshore pathway between La Flotte and St Martin, they do amazing seafood (oysters, mussels, prawns, etc.) cooked on the open fire with good music and good vibes. 

The island is known for lots of quintessential local produce, most notably beer and wine, oysters and salt from the local salt flats which goes into the Ile de Re salted caramel. The beer and wine is average. If you're feeling brave, go for a blanche de Ré, but you're safer to stick with a kronenbourg. The oysters are excellent so if you're an oyster fan, definitely stop off at one of the local oyster farm restaurants (we recommend Re Ostrea which sits on the cycle path between St Martin and La Couarde). The salt flats are dotted throughout the island, mostly clustered around La Couarde and Ars-en-Re. Traditionally, donkeys used to work to carry the salt, and they wore long cotton trousers to protect their legs from mosquitoes. These days you can see donkeys all over the island and this is the story behind why they are depicted with the cotton trousers in all the gift shops.

Phare des Baleines is the lighthouse at the far end of the island which is well worth a visit. If you can make it up the 257 steps, there's an amazing view of the island. There is also a museum and gift shop that have lots of cute French trinkets (it's better than it sounds). A great day trip we love to do is cycling all the way to the lighthouse and back. It takes about 2 hours each way from St Martin (a little longer if you're staying in La Flotte) and the cycle paths pass through lots of gorgeous vineyards and cute villages. 

Ile de Ré has some incredible local produce available at the markets (fruit and veg, delicious cheese, patisseries, saucisson, all locally sourced and amazing). La Flotte has the best market, but be aware that it closes at 1 so try to get there early. If you're staying in St Martin, the local St martin market is also worth a visit, but the La Flotte one is definitely better. 

The best bakeries on the island are from a group called Maison Marin. They have locations in a few of the towns (Ste Marie and La Couarde), but unfortunately not in St Martin or La Flotte. It's worth driving to one of their locations if you want to taste the best of the incredible French patisseries. Another good option is Boulangerie Feuillette in La Flotte. Don't go to Do Ré Mi if you can help it. Some of the supermarkets also do quite good fresh baguettes. 

You will notice that every town square is coated with gravel and ready for a game of petanque. Embarrass yourself in front of the local french seniors who can definitely beat you while holding a cigarette in one hand and a glass of rose in the other. Boules sets can be purchased at most big supermarkets (the intermarche and e. leclerc). 

Most of the beaches on the island have a variety of water toys for rent, from catamarans to windsurfers to SUPs. The wind usually picks up by the afternoon, and the flat ocean is perfect for water sports. If you turn right at the main entrance to Plage de Gros Jonc, you'll see the rental office about 100m down the beach.