Villa de l’Abbaye is a stylish, summery, indoor-outdoor house, with lots of inviting spaces to relax and enjoy the unique joys of island life, be it in the shade of the huge olive tree in the courtyard, or enjoying the sunshine in the sheltered walled garden.

Formerly two properties, the villa now boasts two kitchens and two distinct outdoor spaces, so it’s a nicely versatile choice for two couples or perhaps a family with older children. Teenagers can make their own way to the beach, and couples can enjoy a high degree of privacy whilst still sharing the lovely pool and garden space. The remodelling has brought the house bang up to date in terms of amenities, including a spacious office and a cinema room seating up to six. The pool is heated for maximum indulgence, and there’s a glassed-in sunroom to make the most of the glorious coastal light even on cooler early or late season days.

Set in its own 580m2 plot, Villa de l’Abbaye feels nicely tucked away, whether you’re reading by the pool or lingering over dinner, but the beach, shops and restaurants are all within comfortable strolling distance, no car required.

Please note: there is a minimum 14-night stay for bookings at this villa between 27 July and 10 August 2024

Local Area

Sainte-Marie-en-Ré is the oldest village on the island, delightfully sandwiched between vineyards and the sea. It’s quiet and quaint, with a handful of restaurants, plus basic food shops and a traditional open market operating five days a week. It’s the perfect place to park up and simply potter around along streets more suited to feet than cars, with lots of longer walking itineraries if you want to properly stretch the legs. Bike hire brings more within reach, in particular the bustling harbour villages of Saint Martin and La Flotte for shopping, eating out and watching the quietly sophisticated world of Ré go by. The nearest beach (Notre Dame) is less than a 10-minute walk away: convenient and generally far less crowded than the better-known beaches. If you’re after more facilities, the popular Plage des Grenettes is around a 15-minute cycle ride.

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.