Ars-en-Réis located in the northern part of the island which is also the wildest part of the island.
Until the 15th century, Ars was a single island. Since then, it got connected to the other islands at the place called the Matray (the narrowest place of the island : only 60 meter large) where Vauban built the “Fort du Matray” in 1694. |
Ars vu du ciel avec le Fier |
Ars-en-Ré, "one of the most beautiful villages of France"
Passageway |
Once, the little passageways, lined by little white houses with green shutters, were so narrow that the inhabitants had to cut walls at corner streets so that carts could pass. |
Passageway
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In the past, scandinavian and dutch ships came to the harbour of Ars to load salt. Nowadays, the harbour and its channel are used by cruising yachts. Ars has the biggest harbour of the island. |
After fishing |
The harbour
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Marketplace and "la Tour"
the churchsteeple |
The Saint-Etienne church is famous for its roman portal and its white and black churchsteeple which is used as a sea mark (that is a fix and visible location point). The building comprises two parts which have been built in the 12th and 15th century. |
the churchsteeple seen from the house |
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the "Fier d'Ars" |
Don’t forget to walk by foot or to ride a bicycle across the salt marshes which belong to the most beautiful parts of the island. |
What can you do in Ars?
There are several possibilities :
- Going to the beach (70 km beaches on the whole island)
- Fishing (from the beach or in the sea)
- Departures to the ocean
- Harbour and its nautical activities : sailing harbour, sailing school, boat renting
- Other sports : tennis, horse riding, golf
- Bicycle : over 100 km of bicyle paths on the island
- Market : everyday in the summer, three times a week off season
- Many exhibitions (painting)
- Cinema and shows (La Maline in La Couarde)
- Many restaurants
- Concerts
- Village feasts
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Cazavant |
passageway... |
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