Yesterday we parked our car just at the foot of the Ile de Ré bridge, on the belverdere carpark. Took our bikes and cycled over the 3 kms bridge, as the bridge has a toll of 16.50 euros in the summer, you pay nothing if you walk or cycle. In the car park there is a bike rental so you can hire bikes if you don't take your own. On the island there are loads of cycle tracks purposly built, so your not on the busy roads, from the bridge it took us less than half an hour to get to La Flotte which is a very pretty little fishing port, with lots of fantastic fish restaurants, bistros, boutiques and if you go just to the back of the port there is a shop selling one of the best ice creams we have ever tasted! On the way back we took the coastal path and passed the Abbey and the old forte, then onto the beach for a rest & swim in the sea before the last accent back onto the mainland.
