Enviably located in central Saint Martin, Maison Cothonneau offers that most sought-after combination of Ile de Ré character and effortless contemporary style. From the airy open plan living area to the cosy bedrooms decked out in summery seaside shades, this is a place that encourages you to linger in its gorgeous, high-ceilinged spaces and enjoy the singular holiday pleasure of having nothing too pressing to do.

Start your day with breakfast in the courtyard perhaps, even better if someone’s been kind enough to pop out to the covered market for still-warm bread and maybe some seasonal strawberries. The beauty of the location means a good degree of privacy thanks to the enclosed patio, plus easy pedestrian access to the quayside shops and restaurants that make Saint Martin so incredibly desirable. You can unload on arrival, then park the car 500m from the house and pretty much forget about it for the duration if you so choose. With its elegant decor and an upstairs suite complete with balcony, Maison Cothonneau would make a wonderful honeymoon nest, but works equally well for two couples. For all their considerable chic, both the house and Saint Martin itself are also a good choice for families, with beaches easily accessible by bike and a rather nostalgic, bucket-and-spade vibe reminiscent of childhood holidays and simpler times.

Local area

Maison Cothonneau is located on a quiet, cobbled lane in the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, within easy walking distance of the harbour, covered market, food shops and numerous places to eat and drink. Saint Martin itself has impressive fortifications to explore, and all the island’s roads and excellent cycle paths converge here, so you really are at the heart of the heart! For young families we recommend Saint Martin’s own toddler-friendly beach, La Cible, just a 10-minute bike ride away. In 15-20 minutes you can cross the island to Le Bois Plage (4km), a larger beach with dunes and a few waves to play in. Ré may be small but there’s always plenty to do in addition to bikes and beaches, with surfing, paddleboarding, sailing, boat trips, birdwatching and oyster tasting all on the menu not far away.

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.