Le Clos de Ré is a spacious, stylish villa in a superbly convenient location, an easy walk from the centre of La Flotte. This former fishing village is one of the oldest on the island, brimming with character as well as cafes, shops and restaurants clustered around its picturesque harbour.

Land in such a prime spot is naturally at a premium, so a property of this size so close to La Flotte is a real find. The house sits in a 900m2 plot, with a pool, deck and dining terrace to the front and a lawn and second dining area to the rear, ideal if adults and kids want to claim a bit of independent space. It’s a little more urban-chic in style than the typical Ile de Ré holiday home, though with the Plage de l’Arnérault and the sea just a 10-minute walk away, the atmosphere is still very much beach-house chilled. The all-mod-cons spec also means air-con throughout, which is a relatively unusual benefit on this island.

The location makes it brilliant if you’re a party of mixed ages as everyone can get around easily on foot or by bike, and while La Flotte doesn’t offer anything approaching wild nightlife, having a little freedom to come and go as they please is a definite plus for most tweens and teens. With space for up to 10 and all bedrooms en suite, it would be a great choice for two families or a group of couples looking to enjoy all the island’s beaches, watersports, fabulous seafood and rich cultural heritage.

Local area

For lazy beach days and wonderful places to eat, La Flotte has all you need, and enjoys coveted status as ‘one of the most beautiful villages in France.’ The harbour is the social heart of town whether you want a quick café au lait or luxuriously long lunch, and for fresh produce and deli specialities, there’s a daily market too. When you feel like exploring, cycle paths take you further afield to the island capital – Saint-Martin-de-Ré (15 mins by bike) – and the south side of the island, where you’ll find the best beaches (20 mins by bike). Saint Martin is the cultural hub of Ré, with impressive Vauban fortifications and a museum showcasing the art and history of the island, and of course many delightful restaurants, shops and cafes.

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.