Your camping vacation on the Ile de Ré will be the perfect opportunity to visit the sites and buildings that are the pride of the Retais. Among the must-sees is the emblematic Baleines lighthouse, whose long silhouette stands facing the Atlantic at the western end of the island. The Baleines site comprises buildings of different ages: the old tower, built on the orders of Minister Colbert in 1669, was a strategic maritime observatory, providing advanced protection for the fledgling Rochefort arsenal. When inventor Fresnel developed his lens in the 19ᵉ century, the tower proved too low to accommodate the equipment. It was therefore decided to build the new Baleines lighthouse. Lit in 1954, this 59-metre lighthouse is part of a major program to mark the French coastline. Opposite it, two kilometers offshore, the Baleineaux lighthouse was simultaneously built, a smaller structure also equipped with Fresnel optics and still in service. An octagonal tower built from local limestone, the Baleineaux lighthouse is a beacon of the first order, whose range of over 50 km is still essential to navigation.
The Baleines site is a must-see on the island, and includes the Baleines lighthouse and its panoramic summit, the old Baleines tower, the museum, the store and the romantic 2-hectare English-style landscaped park. On this timeless site, you'll have several opportunities to admire breathtaking scenery: 60 metres above the ground at the top of the 1854 lighthouse, and at the very tip of the island at the top of the 30-metre old tower, facing the ocean. From these heights, the water reveals its varied hues, the fish locks come into view, the fields and marshes form a mosaic of soft shades of green, and the village, in the distance, looks like a fine miniature. The museum tells the fascinating story of lighthouses and their technical evolution. Designed to appeal to all ages, the museography was created in collaboration with Jamy, the famous science presenter on the TV show " C'est pas sorcier ". So don't hesitate to bring the whole family! From how GPS works to the job of a lighthouse keeper, the history of waymarking will soon have no secrets for you.
Whether or not you're brave enough to climb the 257 steps up to the lighthouse, the Baleines site is an emblematic site not to be missed during your stay on the Ile de Ré. Just 25 minutes from the Slow Village campsite, you'll have the chance to stroll through the magnificent landscaped park, visit a fascinating museum with your family, and enjoy a unique panorama, surrounded by the ocean. At the entrance to the site, fashion, souvenir and gourmet stores invite you to stroll before or after your visit. Open all year round and every day without interruption, the whale site closes at 9 pm in summer, at 7 pm from 1ᵉʳ April to the end of June, and at 5:30 pm from October to March. It's possible to buy a ticket to visit the large lighthouse alone (4.35 euros adult rate and 2.85 euros child rate), or opt for group tickets: old tower and museum (from 5.50 to 10.60 euros), or triptych lighthouse, old tower and museum (7.65 to 13 euros). If you're looking for peace and quiet, it's best to visit at off-peak times, when there are fewer visitors: from 9 to 11 a.m. in the morning, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the afternoon, or from 6.30 to 9 p.m. at the end of the day in summer. Your summit experience will be all the better for it.
Book your camping holiday on the Ile de Ré and start planning your visit to the iconic lighthouse!
More information on the official website of the Baleines lighthouse: https: //lepharedesbaleines.fr/
Photo credit: Kilohn limahn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover our 4-bedroom Cabane Tribu, ideal accommodation for large families or groups of friends in the heart of the Ile de Ré!
Discover
Discover all our articles!
The jewel of the Île de Ré, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré are the work of Vauban. Built under Louis XIV in 10 years, from 1681 to 1691, they bear the signature of the famous royal engineer, with their typical star-shaped architecture.
The Ile de Ré is located on a major bird migration route between Africa and the Arctic. Its natural areas are therefore particularly valuable, as they are likely to be home to a large number of bird species. At the tip of the island, in the heart of the Fier d'Ars marshes and mudflats, the Lilleau des Niges reserve was created in 1980 with the aim of preserving this biodiversity.
The port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, on the north coast of the island, opens onto the Pertuis Breton and has existed since the Middle Ages. It was around this harbor that the island's urban core was built, and its commercial and strategic position soon made Saint-Martin-de-Ré the historic economic capital of the Rhaetan territory.
Are you able to take your bikes with you on your camping vacation on the Ile de Ré? Don't hesitate! The whole of the island is equipped for cyclists: from Rivedoux to Saint-Clément-les-Baleines, the 10 villages on the island are linked by a track that allows you to cycle around the island. The distance between two villages is always less than 10 km, making cycling a family-friendly way to get around the island, even with young children. The Ile de Ré cycle path is linked to the network of greenways and trails in La Rochelle, and in particular to the Vélodyssée, which leads to Châtelaillon, Rochefort and Royan. So you can even arrive on the island by bike!
In a landscape dominated by water, between sea and marsh at the tip of the island, the village of Les Portes-en-Ré is a must-see during your stay at Slow Village in Saint Martin de Ré. Just 23 km away, it's a great place to take a bicycle tour. Its territory is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, open to the open sea or the Pertuis Breton.
Planning your outdoor vacation? Find out what to do on the Ile de Ré during your stay. Between water sports, cycling, beaches, salt marshes, visits to the most beautiful villages, beaches and relaxing by the pool, you'll find out what to do during your vacation in an open-air hotel on the Ile de Ré.
Leave with peace of mind
Lowest price guarantee
By booking directly on our website
Book with peace of mind
Payment is 100% secure
Flexible offer
Easy cancellation of your stay for even greater flexibility
