Self-Catering Holidays in Atlantic Aquitaine, South West France - Villas, Cottages & Apartments

Family Holiday Sites in Aquitaine, south west France

Three Reasons to Choose Le Mail Plage
•	250 metre walk to sandy beach
•	Indulge in Ré's wonderful boutiques, brocantes & restaurants
•	Easy access to the cycle paths criss-crossing the island

Le Mail Plage is our first venture on to the chic and charming island paradise, Ile de Ré. We first came here on holiday in 2006 and even though it's slightly north of our core territory of Aquitaine, we knew Ré was too good not to incorporate into our programme.

It's easy to see why the island has become such a favourite. Blessed by a sunny, warm climate, development is carefully protected and there's a laid back charm to holidays here. And it's definitely a case of "two wheels good, four wheels bad" - the island's many pleasures are best enjoyed by bike.

Price Band for this venue:	- peak season
» See Price Bands	- off-peak

Lying just off La Rochelle, mid-way down the Atlantic coast, Ile de Ré is a perfectly preserved island paradise with good beaches and a chic atmosphere. It's an excellent choice for family holidays or for couples. Ré is joined to the mainland by a 3km bridge.

The resort of La Couarde is on the southern side of the island. It has a very pleasant village square and a long sandy beach. Résidence Le Mail Plage is ideally situated close to the beach, amenities and the island's famous cycle paths.

Ré is easily reached by car or plane. It's roughly a 5 hour drive from St Malo and La Rochelle airport is half an hour's drive (approx).

This two-storey residence offers 64 apartments.

Every apartment includes a well-equipped kitchen area with dishwasher, fridge, mini-oven or microwave plus electric hob.

There is a TV in each apartment - should you feel the need to watch it. A small supplement applies, paid locally.

FHS010-BBT 1 bedroom • Sleeps 5 • 28-33m2 Living room with double sofa-bed • 1 bedroom or mezzanine for 2 persons • one single bed in the hall • bathroom • WC • situated on first floor • some are duplex apartments CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO

FHS010-BCF 2 bedrooms • Sleeps 6 • 38-44m2 Living room with double sofa-bed • 1 bedrooms with two single beds • either 1 cabin room with bunk beds or alcove with two single beds • bathroom • WC • can be ground floor or first floor • some are duplex apartments CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO

FHS010-BCT 2 or 3 bedrooms • Sleeps 7-8 • 46-63m2 Living room with sofa-bed • 2 bedrooms each for two people • third bedroom or alcove sleeping 1 or 2 people • bathroom • extra shower room • separate WC • can be ground floor or first floor • some are duplex apartments CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY » GO

Even though it's hard to drag yourself away from a holiday slumber on the beach, La Rochelle is really worth visiting. We recommend taking the boat rather than driving - to sit back and enjoy the ocean.

La Rochelle is recognised as one of the prettiest and distinctive towns in France; the Rough Guide in fact calls it the "most attractive and unspoilt seaside town in France". Its hidden streets, ancient houses and bustling port have long been popular with artists. Today, it is a favourite place for a day-out or a long weekend.

» Old Town - this offers excellent shopping along the arcades and stone slab streets. There are some wonderful mansions to be admired in the Beaux Quartiers district west of Rue du Palais. Also in the Old Town are the some impressive postcard sites including Porte de la Grosse-Horloge (La Rochelle's famous Gothic clocktower), the Hôtel de Ville and Maison Henri II. And don't miss out on the opulence of Café de la Paix - an ideal resting place after your wallet has taken a hammering on the Grande Rue des Merciers.

» Vieux Port - a fascinating few hours can be spent here admiring Vauban's ramparts, the old fishermens' houses in the Gabut district, eating out at Cour des Dames or café crawling at Quai Duperré. There's also a lovely park, Parc Charruyer, built on the old fortifications. There are too many worthwhile sites to list here, but Tour St Nicholas and Tour de Lanterne are two very fine towers.

» Francofolies Music Festival - if you happen to be in town on or just after Bastille Day (July 14th), you'll be in for a musical treat. The town is taken over in a homage to music of all genres.

» Aquarium and museums - the aquarium is one of the best in France and an ideal day-out on a non-beach day. Kids will also enjoy the Musée des Automates (three hundred figures moving to music!) and the Musée des Modèles Réduits (model cars, an underwater world, model train circuits, etc - a miniature train taken kids through the museum). There's also several 'grown-up' museums to enjoy in the town, the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle arguable the most impressive.

And here are some more useful links for discovering the region. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of third party websites.

La Rochelle Aquarium
La Rochelle Tourist Office
Vendee Tourist Office
Charente Maritime Tourist Office
"48 Hours in La Rochelle" - article from The Independent