Discover the charm of Ile de Ré
Searching for our dream French haven under scorching heat and a few tips about Ile de Ré #56
We had another intense but fruitful French house recce weekend 10 days ago. So intense that I had to skip the newsletter last week.
We first spent some time in Lège-Cap-Ferret, considering the possibility of building a house as buying one on the peninsula itself is clearly beyond our means for what we are seeking. Building could be an interesting approach but it's quite challenging when you're abroad.
We then went to Île de Ré, which I know since I've spent many vacations there but Mr Bigg not as much. We arrived on Friday evening, visited some houses on Saturday, and left on Sunday morning. All of this under scorching heat and without eating much as we were going around all the villages.
I said it was fruitful because even though we didn't have much time, we finally made the decision that this would be where we would focus our search from now on.
Of course, Île de Ré is not cheap, and it will take some time to find something but at least we both agree that it's the right place for us. It's accessible, beautiful, and feels like a vacation.
It's important to know that Île de Ré is very busy in the summer, as expected for any place on the Atlantic coast. But outside of that, it's much quieter, and it's a protected area, so there are still plenty of rural areas that really feel like the countryside.
So I'm excited to be able to base myself there a bit more at some point in the future.
Last minute house available to rent this summer on the French Atlantic coast
If you haven’t found your holiday house for this summer, then do consider my brother’s house in Seignosse, near Hossegor. They just finished furnishing it and made it available to rent this summer. It’s all brand new, sleeps 8 people, has all what you need for a summer holiday including a heated pool. You are just on the border of the forest and only 6km from the beaches. All weeks are currently available this summer.
Extra finds
Domu Antiga, Sardinia
Double rooms €113 (£102) in low season; and from €127 (£114) in high - Check latest prices and availability
A restored old house in Sardinia. Domu Antiga has four double bedrooms with private bathroom. The exposed stone walls are illuminated by the light that penetrates through the French windows of the juniper balconies overlooking the cobbled street. The furnishings are almost all original and perfectly restored. The food looks delicious and they offer cooking classes. No pool.
The Bolder, Norway
Sky Lodge weekdays 3.900 NOK per night This price is for 2 persons only - Check latest prices and availability
Located in Lysefjorden on Norway’s west coast, the Bolder comprises just four cabins designed by acclaimed firm Snøhetta in collaboration with Danish interior brand Vipp. Built to blend in with the landscape, the wooden cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows that give guests the feeling of floating with incredible views of the fjord and surrounding mountains. Laid out on two floors, the cabins have a kitchen and dining area on the upper floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the lower floor. In the next few years, the property will add a lounge and gourmet restaurant. No pool
Le Domaine du Chalet, Champagne region
From 180 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
If Royal Champagne & Spa is to expensive, this place is a nice alternative with very positive reviews. The Domaine du Chalet is nestled in the village of Chigny-les-Roses, in the Montagne de Reims regional nature park. Built in 1860, the house has 4 suites and one tree house and an indoor heated pool. It’s a guest house but does feel like a hotel and offers diner.
Celestial Hotel Kefalonia
From 250 euros in low season - Check latest prices and availability
A new four start hotel in Kefalonia opened in July 2022. Nestled within the lush green forest of Mousata only a few meters away from the emerald Trapezaki beach. There are 40 suites, each with private pool. There is also a big outdoor common pool.
Hotel Hotel Lisbon
From 300 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
Located in the trendy Príncipe Real neighborhood, the hotel boasts 40 rooms and Animal, the hotel’s in-house culinary concept. Designed by Pedrita Studio, Hotel Hotel, with its eclectic boldness, is Lisbon’s new place to be. Outdoor pool
36 hours in Ile de Ré
As with our previous trip, I share a few addresses below. If we are lucky to find a house there, I’ll be able to explore and find some more hidden gems to share with you.
From the Poolside is a reader-supported publication which I love creating for you but also takes time. Paid subscriptions allow me to cover my costs. The content below is reserved to paid subscribers, who also get access to the latest info about new hotel openings and a map with all my adddresses. It’s less than £1.5 per week, so much cheaper than a coffee and hopefully giving you as much of a kick, and you can cancel at any time.