Heritage stay at Ile de Re

Heritage holidays on the Île de Ré

This vast residence built by the lord of the Ile de Ré Jean-Masseau de Beauséjour in the 18TH century in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, now La Baronnie Hôtel & Spa****, is a delight for all lovers of art and history. Listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments, this jewel of the island’s heritage will welcome you for a weekend or a holiday, with the added bonus of a myriad discoveries to be made.

Destination Art, History and Heritage

On the Île de Ré, there is no shortage of heritage sites which bear witness to the history of the island and even in some respects to the history of France itself. But it is perhaps here, in Saint-Martin de Ré, that the island’s heritage is expressed in the most concentrated way. With the Vauban fortifications, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Fortress, but also the Hôtel de Clerjotte and the Ernest Cognacq-Jay Museum, the village of Saint-Martin, the island’s capital, is truly fascinating. The traces of its rich past can be found at every corner of its streets and alleyways.

With your heritage holiday, the hotel offers you:

• a tour of the Ernest Cognacq-Jay museum, emblematic of the île de Ré’s history
• OR
• a guided tour of the village of Saint-Martin, discovering the heritage of the village

You can climb the steps to the top of the church bell tower and see the fantastic view. You can also read our book on the history of La Baronnie, the former home of the lord of the Île de Ré, endowed with a long fascinating history.

Discovering the gems of the heritage of the Île de Ré

The crowning glory of the Charente-Maritime set like a jewel in the Atlantic Ocean facing the beautiful city of La Rochelle, the Île de Ré has a rich heritage of which its residents are rightly proud. In 2012, it was the first French island to receive the label “Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire”, awarded by the French Ministry of Culture. Alongside its unspoilt natural environment and incomparable scenery, the island attracts visitors with its charming traditional ports as well as the ten villages that retain their authentic character. The narrow streets lined with hollyhocks and the white houses with green shutters work their magic on visitors right from the start.

Among the many places of interest to be explored during your heritage holiday on the Île de Ré:

• The star-shaped fortress designed by Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a mere stone’s throw from the hotel.
• Le Phare des Baleines lighthouse and museum.
• The ports, and in particular those of Saint Martin, La Flotte and Ars.
• The traditional villages: La Couarde with its seaside atmosphere, Les Portes-en-Ré with its exclusive ambiance, the hamlet of La Rivière and its artists’ studios, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines and its lighthouse, and lots more besides.

When you return to the hotel after a day of exploration and sightseeing, you’re sure to enjoy the Wellness Space and the CINQ MONDES Spa, the heated outdoor pool, and Bar 1721.