France

Whether taking a cycling holiday with friends or seeking a family vacation with easy access to all of the stunning locations on Ile de Ré, the four-bedroomed Villa Bastien welcomes guests to the beautiful port village of Ars en Ré.

The open-plan living space is bright and welcoming, with exposed steel beams offsetting the whitewashed, vaulted ceiling and doors leading to two of the three terraces – ensuring no shortage of natural light during the day. There’s no lack of comfortable seating either, with a large sofa in front of the television and stylish chairs next to a wood-burning stove, giving even larger groups a great space to wind down at the end of the day.

Rustic chic meets contemporary family life here, and it looks and feels great – a distressed sideboard sits just alongside a large dining table, with the kitchen’s modern countertops and cabinets in tasteful contrast. The superbly appointed kitchen’s range cooker and generous marble countertops lend themselves to culinary enthusiasm – no bad thing when you have incredible local produce nearby! The kitchen sink is within an impressive preparation island, which also incorporates a relaxed breakfast bar adjacent to traditionally-styled portes-fenêtres that invite hungry guests to the dining terrace.

Villa Bastien’s master bedroom features a large double bed and a bright, well-appointed bathroom. Along with one other bedroom, which has twin beds that can be joined together, guests in this room enjoy direct access to the garden. With two additional bedrooms – one double, one twin – Villa Bastien comfortably delivers a great night of sleep for up to eight guests.

A barbecue is provided – perfect for relaxed dinners with family or friends. In addition to the dining terrace just outside the kitchen, you can recline with a glass of wine in the outdoor lounge, while the terrace outside two of the bedrooms is a great little sun trap – what a fabulous way to start any morning! 

Features:

Villa Interior

- Open-plan lounge with television and wood burner 
- Dining room
- Kitchen with range oven, microwave, induction hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, Nespresso coffee machine, toaster, ice maker, kettle
- Master bedroom with a double bed, garden access, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and shower, twin sinks and WC
- Bedroom with a double bed 
- Bedroom with twin beds 
- Bedroom with twin beds 
- Bathroom with bathtub and shower head, twin sinks, WC
- Laundry room
 
Outside Grounds (450 m2) 

- Garden
- Three terraces
- Barbecue
- Outdoor lounge
- Dining table
- Sun loungers
- Parking space

Facilities

- Wi-Fi
- Heating in bedrooms
- TV
- Sound system
- Washing machine
- Iron and board

Location:

Classified as one of France’s plus beaux villages, Ars en Ré is a delightfully refined, historic port village in the quieter southwest of Ile de Ré. An air of serenity pervades this picturesque village, with its whitewashed houses and cafés on the village square, whose iconic black and white church spire stands proudly over boutiques, artisanal bakers and charcuteries, galleries and restaurants serving delicious local seafood.

On the bucket lists of many cycling enthusiasts Ile de Ré, with a dedicated cycle path network of over sixty miles across the island. Many enthusiasts consider Ars en Ré to be the best positioned of the island’s villages for a dedicated cycling break, though the casual rider is equally well-catered for. You’ll have the choice of several bike rental outlets in the village, with options to hire road bikes, beach cruisers and even E-Bikes, for as long as you need.

The island’s uniquely varied landscape is at the heart of its agrarian heritage, with oyster farms, vineyards and salt marshes frequently observed while cycling between villages. The Marais Salant Ecomuseum is just over twenty minutes away by bike, at one of Ile de Ré’s salt marshes, where guided tours outline the origins and methods that enable the production of the island’s distinctively flavoured salt.

A little over fifteen minutes away by bike, La Ferme des Baleines is one of the island’s – if not France’s – premier oyster farms. Also producing delicious clams, imperial prawns and sea bream, this thirty-five-hectare farm offers tours of the site, giving fascinating insights into Ile de Ré’s aquaculture. Set alongside the beautiful Lilleau des Niges nature reserve, the farm also offers wine and oyster tasting sessions, all the more enjoyable in such fantastic surroundings.

Head a little further north – nowhere is far away on Ile de Ré! – and discover the Phare des Balienes lighthouse at the northwest tip of the island. Enjoy fantastic walks along golden sands, sample the fabulous frozen macarons and gelatos at La Martinière, and then ascend the iconic lighthouse itself. From the top, you will enjoy views across the island, including, on a clear day, the tip of Ars en Ré’s painted church spire, once used as a day marker for boats approaching the harbour.

Terms & Conditions:
Arrival time
4.00 p.m

Departure time
9.00 a.m

Minimum stay
14 nights approximately mid-July to mid-August. 7 nights during all other periods.

Changeover day
Tuesday approximately Christmas and NY, Saturday in April, July, August, September and end-October. Flexible during all other periods.

Energy costs included
Yes during May to September. Extra cost, payable locally, during October to April.

Linen & towels included?Bed and household linens can be hired on site for an extra cost of €47 per person per week, payable prior to arrival.