Do you need an outdoor holiday away from the daily routine? Want to escape, freedom and immense natural spaces where you can release the pressure in complete peace of mind? How about going to an island? And not just any one: on the Île de Ré, and more precisely, in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines.
An emblematic destination on the Île de Ré, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines is located between the large beach of La Conche and the wonderful Côte Sauvage. Its preserved setting, its gentle way of life, its small flower-bedecked alleys, its beautiful Saint-Clément church and its typical architecture make it highly appreciated by visitors seeking rest far from the crowd. And yet, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines has plenty of assets to seduce its visitors! Its lighthouse, in particular, is one of the island's unmissable sites: rising 57 metres above the sea, the Phare des Baleines offers its brave visitors an absolutely magnificent panoramic view of the whole of the Ile de Ré, the Charente-Maritime, the Ile d'Oléron, the pointe de l'Aiguillon and the Atlantic Ocean. But contemplating this unique horizon is worth it: for that, you will have to climb its 257 steps! Built in the mid-19th century, it is certainly the most visited building on the island. Classified as a Historic Monument, it is located next to its two towers, the Whale Tower (also called Vauban Tower) and the Whale Lighthouse, not to be missed during your visit. At the foot of the lighthouse, you can see the fish locks (the Moufette lock), and some sandbanks where amateur and enthusiastic fishermen come as soon as the sea recedes.
In addition to its beautiful architectural heritage, what appeals to visitors passing through Saint-Clément-des-Baleines is of course its natural charm. To the north, the village has splendid fine sandy beaches where families, onlookers and fishermen on foot like to meet. The beaches of the municipality are also considered to be among the most beautiful in the whole of Charente-Maritime. The Conche des Baleines beach in particular, starts under the lighthouse of the same name to finish its race at the pointe du Lizay (in the direction of Les Portes-en-Ré): supervised during the summer period, it has the particularity of sheltering behind its dunes some blockhouses of the Atlantic Wall. It is a real paradise of tranquility, the beach is wild, authentic, and very appreciated by lovers of water sports. You can choose to fly a kite, windsurf, surf, bodyboard, kitesurf, sail, swim or take a nap in peace under the Rice sun. La Conche beach is the ideal place to contemplate the sunset, we recommend this spot especially if you are a photography enthusiast! If you like the seventh art and have an eye, you will certainly notice that it is on this beach that the landing scenes were shot in the film "The Longest Day".
The Wild Coast to the west is not the ideal place to swim (although it does have some rocky beaches), but it does offer many walking, riding and cycling trails, through the dunes, coastal paths, the Maison de la Gabelle, the Combe à l'Eau national forest and the Lizay forest.
Finally, don't miss the lifeboat shelter (also called "Porte de l'Ouest") for breathtaking sunsets, the rue du Phare, the pyramid of Chaumes, the windmills, the museum of the Phare des Baleines, not to mention the localities of Le Godinand, Le Chabot or La Tricherie.
Not to be missed: visit the whale lighthouse, the bell tower of St Martin, the goat farm and the soap factory in Loix (not to be missed... the staff is very friendly). Walk on the "donkeys in panties" in St Martin, go by boat to see Fort Boyard. Its magnificent beaches, the salt pans and lots of other things to visit... it's a magnificent island and advice brought your bikes (cycle path everywhere so very convenient for travel: it's an island by bike) but it also runs very well by car.
Carine
03/08/2019
If you are not sporty, the cycle paths are easy (you need bicycles of course).
Régis
27/07/2019
To do: the very pretty beach of La Conche.
Marc
20/07/2019
Beautiful walks or bike rides, a beautiful sale and very beautiful markets, a beach, and for chocolate lovers, visit the chocolate factory.
Whale Lighthouse
Visit the highest and most powerful lighthouse in France. 257 steps to climb to enjoy a spectacular view.
Saint Martin de Ré - 19 km
Historical capital of Ile de Ré, discover this city with its historic residences and its old port.
The majestic towers of La Rochelle - 40 km
More than a symbol, a show. The Tours of Saint Nicolas and the Lantern amaze visitors.
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