If we had to pick one villa that perfectly sums up the effortless seaside chic of Ile de Ré, then it might well be this one. With its single-storey layout and secluded walled garden, it’s a typical maison Rétaise, tastefully finished to create a holiday base that’s both sophisticated and understated, rather like the island itself. From oversized mirrors to the French navy colour scheme, the decorative touches lend a sense of occasion to your holiday, but at heart this is a welcoming family home, with three double bedrooms and a practical kids bunk room sleeping up to four little people.

The courtyard garden is equally well thought out, with shady space to enjoy a long leisurely lunch and a small heated swimming pool. It’s a wonderful spot to retreat to after a day on the beach, tucked away behind high walls to give you the feeling of your own private space, and ideal for a relaxed barbecue or post-dinner digestif beneath the stars.

Villa de la Cible has a fantastic location, just a five-minute walk from Plage de la Cible. This is a postcard-perfect, 200m-long stretch of sand, dotted with white painted beach huts and a restaurant during the main summer season. For a little more activity, a five-minute flat cycle ride will take you to the centre of Saint Martin. The island’s tiny capital is awash with holiday temptations, from harbourside restaurants to artisan shops, delis and cafes, a glorious spot to sit and soak up the atmosphere of this delightful little place.

Local area

For eating and shopping, Saint Martin harbour is your first port of call, hosting a bustling covered market and numerous bars and restaurants. The town also has some 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! La Cible beach is delightfully family friendly with shallow, calm waters, and for a change of scene you can cycle across the island to Le Bois Plage (4km). The beach here is larger, with sand 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, paddle boarding, sailing, boat trips, birdwatching and oyster tasting all on the menu and never 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.