One of the absolute joys of the Ile de Ré is being able to go car-free a lot of the time: less stress, more steps and the chance to fully relax into the easy rhythm of summer by the sea.

Newly refurbished (2023), this delightful, terraced cottage in the heart of La Flotte is just 200m from the port and 500m from the beach, a convenient and rather romantic bolt hole for a couple or a small family. The house has been immaculately restored by its French owners to include two stylish bedrooms and a private courtyard with both comfy seating and a dining table for four; it’s an idyllic place to ease yourself into the day with coffee and a buttery croissant or sun-ripened fruit from La Flotte’s famous covered market.

Clos Fleuri is located on a narrow, quiet side street. If you arrive by car, there is public parking about 350m away (weekly passes are available) and the cottage has its own dedicated bike storage room. Sweet, stylish and enviably central, the cottage comes highly recommended for those looking for the real Ré experience, with the added benefit of plenty of little shops, bars and restaurants virtually on your doorstep.

Local Area:

La Flotte very much deserves its official status as one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’ and has a certain cachet that comes with it. The harbour is just a few minutes’ stroll from the cottage and is the social heart of the village. Here you’ll also find all your daily essentials, the market, a few speciality shops and plenty of places to wine and dine. From this perfect spot the whole island is your oyster – and if you’re a fan of that particular delicacy, a visit to one of the oyster beds in the northwest of the island is a great morning out by bike. Your nearest seaside is the Plage de L’Arnérault, a 10-minute walk, and a little pedal power will take you to the string of beaches on the south of the island in 20 or 30 minutes.

Our choice of France 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.