Charming La Flotte is one of the oldest and most attractive of the ten villages on the Ile de Ré, and this smart five-bedroom villa puts you within strolling distance of all its considerable charm. The house is built in two sections, creating a protective L-shape around the heated swimming pool, and with it a delightful sense of seclusion. You could happily while away hours or even days in this pretty, landscaped space, tucked away from passers-by but with everything you need close to hand.

The main house is beautifully finished, and holds the bulk of the interior living space, plus a master suite and two bedrooms. Further accommodation – ideal for older kids – is provided in the two-bedroom annexe, but for us the real appeal of this place is the barefoot, indoor/outdoor feeling provided by huge glass doors that open up all the social areas to large courtyard garden and the pool. A covered dining area creates a natural gathering point for a quiet game of cards or a lively family barbecue, and if you’re travelling with teens who’d rather find their own entertainment, L'Arnérault beach is just 300 metres away. Whatever your age, the emphasis here is on absolute comfort, with extras such as a fireplace and family games table making this a delightful oasis even in the early or late season months.

A gentle 10-minute stroll takes you through town to the harbour where you can watch the leisure craft come and go or sample the freshest possible oysters at one of several family-run establishments which have tempted the palates La Flotte’s most discerning visitors for over 50 years. As the day fades into evening, the harbour comes even more to life as diners savour a perfectly chilled aperitif and cast an expert eye over menus. With shops, restaurants and the beach all within comfortable walking distance, Villa du Préau works for all kinds of groups and makes a very stylish base for an extended family gathering.

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

Local area
La Flotte harbour (1km) is the social hub of the village, surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants that add to its classic island charm. Here you’ll find everything you need for day to day food shopping in its bakeries, delis and daily summer market, and some very appealing restaurants. If you’d like to see more of delightful Ré, bikes are your best bet. Trails connect La Flotte with the island capital St Martin de Ré (6km) and all the other island attractions, from beaches to oyster beds and numerous coastal villages. Less visited than the UNESCO-protected Vauban walls at St Martin but no less impressive is Fort La Prée, a 17^th century defensive masterpiece with delightful coastal views. There are many wonderful beaches within a 5km ride of the villa, most offering a life guard service in July and August plus a range of watersports including wind and kite-surfing, body and paddle-boarding.

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.