Luxury bespoke single-centre rail holiday to the Ile de Re
This 7-night holiday by train has as its base the magical island of the Ile de Ré, perched just off the coast near La Rochelle, on the eastern edge of the Bay of Biscay and joined to the French mainland by a toll bridge. You stay in the lively, picturesque port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, which you reach from London in about 8 or 9 hours, with sensible train times by Eurostar and then by TGV to La Rochelle, where you collect your hire-car. It’s a drive of about 35 minutes then to your hotel. During your seven-night stay on the Ile de Ré, spend time wandering the narrow, cobbled streets in St-Martin-de-Ré bursting with shops and restaurants, as well as venturing out by car or without car to nearby beaches and places of interest. It is very easy to hire bikes and cycle around the island, where there are kilometres of cycle paths and easy terrain to cover, perhaps stopping to relax at one of the various sandy beaches on the Atlantic coast. Climb to the top of Baleines Lighthouse to take in the breath-taking views from a vantage point of 60 metres. There are also museums to visit where you will learn about the history of the island and here and there all sorts of producers and artisans. Drive to La Rochelle and perhaps sample one of its numerous seafood restaurants. If you would like to explore further south, we recommend the historic town and military port of Rochefort. Back at your hotel, you will find a gourmet restaurant with dining outside on the terrace, and a cosy lounge. You can also use the garden and outdoor pool of the sister-hotel, the Villa Clarisse, about 3 minutes’ walk away.
Highlights
Ile de Ré • Saint-Martin-de-Ré • La Rochelle • Atlantic coast • Visit Baleines lighthouse • Beaches • Rochefort
Day by day
Your luxury rail holiday to the Ile de Ré starts with a mid-morning departure on Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, where you change stations to take the high-speed TGV train to La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast of France. We recommend you leave London just before 10.30 hrs in order to reach La Rochelle just after 18.00 hrs. You collect your hire-car from the station, and it is a 35-minute drive to your hotel in Saint-Martin-de-Ré on the Ile de Ré where you spend 7 nights.
You have six full days at leisure to explore the Ile de Ré. There are many interesting places to visit within a short distance of the hotel, by car, on foot and by bike, as well as places of interest further afield. Your hotel is situated on the edge of the port in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a UNESCO world heritage site and a pretty, fortified town and Vauban citadel. This charming town is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets with a pleasant harbour lined with shops and restaurants. It is worth hiring a bike or taking a leisurely stroll to explore other harbour villages and golden beaches such as Plage de la Cible and Le Bois Plage. Visit the Ernest Cognacq Museum to discover the history of the island: art collections, archaeological findings and historical documents describe island life over the years. Another interesting sight is the Phare des Baleines lighthouse, about 30 minutes from your hotel by car. The vantage point of the lighthouse enjoys panoramic views of the island of Ré at a height of 60 metres. There are 257 steps to climb which lead to the top. There are two museums in the north of the island which are worth visiting to discover the region’s fauna and flora. There is the eco-museum of the salt marsh and the Maison du Fier set in a former salt warehouse. La Rochelle is around a 30-minute drive away and offers an attractive old town and historic port and harbour with numerous interesting public buildings to see, such as the Town Hall and 15th Century houses. Perhaps have dinner one evening here at one of the many fish and seafood restaurants. Visit La Rochelle towers, three towers which are remains of mediaeval maritime fortifications. There are also museums here including the Bunker, home of U-Boat officers during World War II and the New World Museum, which explores colonial history. Further afield, about a 50-minute drive from Ile de Ré is the town of Rochefort. The historic centre is home of the Royal Rope Factory dating from the 17th century. Places to visit include the Navy Museum with models of 18th and 19th Century ships and an International Sea Centre. Within your seven day stay here on the Ile de Ré, there is ample choice between rest, relaxation, visits to beaches, sailing and water sports, cycling and walking, visiting museums, local arts and crafts and markets and exploring a little further afield.
Enjoy a final, leisurely breakfast at your hotel before you check-out. Return your hire-car to La Rochelle station before taking the TGV back to Paris, with a change of stations, and then the Eurostar from Paris to London. There is a service that leaves La Rochelle just before 11.30 hrs and you arrive in London just after 17.30 hrs, making it a very comfortable day’s journey.
What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!Mr W, July 2022
Holiday price guide Prices from £2,740 per person based on two people sharing a deluxe double or twin room and including standard class rail travel. Supplement for standard premier/first class about £390 per person.
Holiday Code FRBR15
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke single-centre rail holiday to the Ile de Re
Your luxury rail holiday to the Ile de Ré starts with a mid-morning departure on Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, where you change stations to take the high-speed TGV train to La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast of France. We recommend you leave London just before 10.30 hrs in order to reach La Rochelle just after 18.00 hrs. You collect your hire-car from the station, and it is a 35-minute drive to your hotel in Saint-Martin-de-Ré on the Ile de Ré where you spend 7 nights.
You have six full days at leisure to explore the Ile de Ré. There are many interesting places to visit within a short distance of the hotel, by car, on foot and by bike, as well as places of interest further afield. Your hotel is situated on the edge of the port in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a UNESCO world heritage site and a pretty, fortified town and Vauban citadel. This charming town is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets with a pleasant harbour lined with shops and restaurants. It is worth hiring a bike or taking a leisurely stroll to explore other harbour villages and golden beaches such as Plage de la Cible and Le Bois Plage. Visit the Ernest Cognacq Museum to discover the history of the island: art collections, archaeological findings and historical documents describe island life over the years. Another interesting sight is the Phare des Baleines lighthouse, about 30 minutes from your hotel by car. The vantage point of the lighthouse enjoys panoramic views of the island of Ré at a height of 60 metres. There are 257 steps to climb which lead to the top. There are two museums in the north of the island which are worth visiting to discover the region’s fauna and flora. There is the eco-museum of the salt marsh and the Maison du Fier set in a former salt warehouse. La Rochelle is around a 30-minute drive away and offers an attractive old town and historic port and harbour with numerous interesting public buildings to see, such as the Town Hall and 15th Century houses. Perhaps have dinner one evening here at one of the many fish and seafood restaurants. Visit La Rochelle towers, three towers which are remains of mediaeval maritime fortifications. There are also museums here including the Bunker, home of U-Boat officers during World War II and the New World Museum, which explores colonial history. Further afield, about a 50-minute drive from Ile de Ré is the town of Rochefort. The historic centre is home of the Royal Rope Factory dating from the 17th century. Places to visit include the Navy Museum with models of 18th and 19th Century ships and an International Sea Centre. Within your seven day stay here on the Ile de Ré, there is ample choice between rest, relaxation, visits to beaches, sailing and water sports, cycling and walking, visiting museums, local arts and crafts and markets and exploring a little further afield.
Enjoy a final, leisurely breakfast at your hotel before you check-out. Return your hire-car to La Rochelle station before taking the TGV back to Paris, with a change of stations, and then the Eurostar from Paris to London. There is a service that leaves La Rochelle just before 11.30 hrs and you arrive in London just after 17.30 hrs, making it a very comfortable day’s journey.
What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!Mr W, July 2022
Holiday price guide Prices from £2,740 per person based on two people sharing a deluxe double or twin room and including standard class rail travel. Supplement for standard premier/first class about £390 per person.
Holiday Code FRBR15
Our prices include
● Standard class Eurostar and second-class TGV from London to La Rochelle return (standard premier/first class can be booked at a supplement)
● 7 nights’ bed and breakfast in a deluxe room at Hotel de Toiras, Saint-Martin-de-Ré
● Hire of a group B car for 7 days or car transfer instead of hire-car
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers, entrance fees and meals except daily breakfast at each hotel
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
● Transfers in Paris
Additional information
This holiday can be arranged throughout the year. Additional nights can be added at any point on this itinerary. Timings can vary depending on the month and day of the week.
La Rochelle station to Saint-Martin-de-Ré: 35 minutes by car
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke single-centre rail holiday to the Ile de Re
The Hotel de Toiras is a boutique, 5-star hotel and Relais et Chateaux member, with 20 rooms and suites, situated on the edge of the port in Saint-Martin-de-Ré on the Ile de Ré. There is a gourmet restaurant, cosy lounge and use of a swimming pool and garden, just three minutes’ walk away.
Deluxe double room
The boutique, 4-star Villa Clarisse is a Relais & Chateaux member with just nine rooms and suites, occupying what was a private town house dating from the 18th Century at the heart of the old town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, with a lovely garden and heated swimming pool.
Premium room
Special offers
Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.
What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!Mr W, July 2022
Holiday price guide Prices from £2,740 per person based on two people sharing a deluxe double or twin room and including standard class rail travel. Supplement for standard premier/first class about £390 per person.
Holiday Code FRBR15
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke single-centre rail holiday to the Ile de Re
About Bordeaux Region
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Bordeaux is a chance to explore a region renowned the world over for its wines and its awe-inspiring chateaux, whilst Cognac is less explored yet holds a countless store of treasures waiting to be appreciated. The Bordeaux region is ideal for short breaks and touring holidays with a range of sights to discover. Cognac country is a perfect destination for the discerning traveller as it is still relatively unknown yet is within very easy reach of more popular areas such as the coastal resorts between La Rochelle and Royan about 30 minutes` drive to the west, the Medoc and Saint Emilion vineyards about 45 minutes` drive to the south and the intriguing Marais Poitevin about an hour`s drive to the north. Moreover, the cuisine has a character of its own, utilising cognac, pineau and Marennes oysters. A holiday to the Bordeaux and Cognac regions is highly recommended. A fantastic way to discover the region is to incorporate it into a self-drive touring holiday, flying to Bordeaux and then exploring this area as well as the Basque Country and Carcassonne by hire-car. It is also accessible by train, such as in our suggested rail holiday travelling to the Loire Valley and Bordeaux which also allows you to explore by hire-car.
Highlights of Bordeaux
Visit vineyards and chateaux, for tasting and buying. Visit the oyster beds. Experience the Cognac distilleries, and the Romanesque architecture. Bordeaux is the historical centre for wine however you may also visit the villages of the wine region such as St Emilion.
Climate in the Bordeaux Region
Average air temperatures in Centigrade: Jan: 10.0, Feb: 9.4, Mar: 12.2, Apr: 19.5, May: 18.0, Jun: 23.7, Jul: 27.2, Aug: 25.7, Sep: 24.2, Oct: 19.7, Nov: 15.4, Dec: 11.0. Source: Direction de la Meteorologique de France
