Discover the Île de Ré with your dog
Want to discover Île de Ré with your dog, exploring wild beaches, hiking and cycling trails, and charming villages of Charente-Maritime? Find all our tips for visiting Île de Ré with your dog and making the most of your trip!
For a holiday with your dog, nestled between the ocean, salt marshes, and a charming harbor, Île de Ré is one of the most delightful destinations in Charente-Maritime . Located opposite La Rochelle, this island on the Atlantic coast is appealing both for its typical villages and for its many dog-friendly activities. Between bike rides, strolls along the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, and beaches open to dogs depending on the season, you'll easily find everything you need to plan a stay that's both practical and a real change of scenery.
With Musher, I particularly love destinations where we can truly share our days together without having to forgo sightseeing or walks. And on Île de Ré, the gentle atmosphere and wide open spaces lend themselves perfectly to this.
In this article, I share how to get to Île de Ré with your dog, the activities I recommend, and the beaches where you can enjoy the seaside together.
Table of contents
Practical Memo
Where to stay on Île de Ré with my dog? Here are the best QUALIDOG-certified accommodations for your holiday with your dog!
Campsite White Island
With dog bike carts!
Homair La Côte Sauvage Campsite
Near a dog-friendly beach 🌊🌿
Didn't find what you were looking for in our selection? Here are a few websites where you can find dog-friendly accommodations. They are not QUALIDOG-certified partners, so I don't know their standards of hospitality.
- The sea air is deceptive! The sun beats down on bike paths and beaches. Never let your dog jump into cold water if it's been hot; thermal shock is dangerous. To avoid the worst, check out our article on... protect your dog from heatstroke.
- Drinking salt water while playing in the waves can cause digestive problems. In addition, salt irritates the skin and eyes. Remember to always bring fresh water for your dog and rinse them off after the beach. Find out more Precautions to take for your dog during your trips to the beach.
- The pine forests (Lizay, Trousse-Chemise) are home to processionary caterpillars in the spring, whose hairs are a dangerous poison for your dog. Ticks can also be found in the tall grass. Prepare by reading our article on Emergency measures to take in case of contact with processionary caterpillars.
How to get to Île de Ré with your dog?
Getting to Île de Ré with your dog is quite simple, especially if you like to travel freely with your suitcase and equipment.
🚗 The most practical solution is clearly the car when travelling with a dog. Between the basket, the kibble, the beach towels, the bike trailer or even the hiking accessories, having your own vehicle makes things much easier.
The Île de Ré is connected to the mainland from La Rochelle by the famous Île de Ré Bridge , a structure nearly 3 kilometers long that allows you to reach the island in just a few minutes. There is a toll for cars, with the price varying depending on the season. For a small vehicle, expect to pay around €4 in the low season, €8 in the mid-season, and up to €16 in the summer for a round trip (indicative prices for 2026).
Your dog, of course, travels for free in the back.
💡 Important tip : Plan your travel times in advance during peak season. Summer weekends and public holidays can cause major traffic jams at the island's entrance. With a dog in the car, the temperature rises very quickly. Always keep fresh water readily available, ventilate the car properly, and avoid the hottest hours of the day as much as possible.
🛥️ If you prefer to avoid traffic, you can also reach Île de Ré by sea shuttle during the tourist season, generally from April to September.
Ferries depart from La Rochelle, notably from the Old Port or Les Minimes , to Saint-Martin-de-Ré or Sablanceaux . Several companies, such as Croisières Inter-Îles, allow dogs on board as long as they are kept on a leash. Depending on the crossing, access is either free or costs only a few euros.
And frankly, it's an option I find particularly appealing with a dog used to going out. The crossing takes about an hour and allows you to enjoy the sea air without the stress of traffic. Many dogs love watching the seagulls and smelling the sea spray from the upper deck. Okay, the engine is a bit noisy, admittedly…
Once you arrive on the island, you can easily get around between the villages thanks to the numerous cycle paths and flat roads that connect them. I'll give you a good address for renting bikes and a trailer for your dog later in the article, if needed 😉
Now that you know how to get there with your dog, discover the activities to do with your dog on Île de Ré!
👋 Musher's great deal
Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
What to do with your dog on Île de Ré?
The Île de Ré makes it easy to vary activities with your dog, including walks around the port, cycling, exploring wild nature and cultural discoveries.
🛶 I recommend starting with Saint-Martin-de-Ré, especially if you're visiting the island for the first time. The port is entirely pedestrianized and the atmosphere is very pleasant for a leisurely stroll with your dog.
Early in the morning, you can enjoy the peace and quiet before the crowds arrive. At the end of the day, the light becomes magnificent around the ramparts and the tidal basins. It's also a lively spot where you can easily relax on a terrace with your dog.
During this walk, you and your dog will be able to discover:
- The Port Island to discover the historic heart
- Le Nicolas Baudin Quay facing the fishing boats
🚴 The other major activity not to be missed on Île de Ré is, of course, cycling.
And honestly, it's probably one of the most beautiful places in France to cycle with your dog. The terrain is almost entirely flat, there are numerous cycle paths, and the landscapes constantly change between forests, dunes, and salt marshes.
📍 Rental companies like Beach Bikes , present in many towns on Île de Ré, offer bicycle trailers for dogs of all sizes.
One of the routes I most recommend combines several very different atmospheres of the island:
- Allow approximately 18 to 20 kilometers for the complete loop, or 1.5 to 2 hours of cycling without breaks.
- Departure is at Whale Lighthouse.
- The outward journey then crosses the Lizay Forest then the famous Trousse-Chemise Wood towards the Portes-en-RéThis area is perfect during hot days because the pine trees provide plenty of shade and allow the dog to stay cool.
- The return journey has a completely different atmosphere: this time you travel along the Lilleau des Niges Nature Reserve and the salt marshes in a much more open and wild setting. The area remains particularly peaceful outside of peak season.
One of the real advantages of this area is access to the Côte Sauvage (Wild Coast). Unlike other beaches that are heavily regulated in the summer, several sections allow dogs on leashes year-round. This is ideal for taking a break for a swim and letting your dog cool off during your walk.
On your return, take some time to stop at the Phare des Baleines (Lighthouse of the Whales). Dogs are not allowed inside the monument, but the gardens outside remain open to the public free of charge. There you'll find large, shady areas that are really pleasant for relaxing after your bike ride.
👉 And if you want to leave with peace of mind during your cycling getaway on the Île de Ré, don't hesitate to consult our article on cycling with your dog: tips and equipment!
🧠 To offer a change from nature activities, the Île de Ré also has some cultural visits that are accessible to dogs.
- À La flotte, the Fort La Pree Dogs on leashes are welcome for both self-guided and guided tours. It's the oldest fort on the island, and its star-shaped architecture is well worth a visit if you enjoy historical sites.
- On the side of Loix, the Salt Marsh Ecomuseum It is also accessible with a dog on a leash. You can discover the whole history of local salt production while strolling through the heart of the Ré salt marshes.
Finally, as days on the Île de Ré often end with a break by the water, it's also good to know which beaches actually allow dogs.
Dog-friendly beaches on Île de Ré
On the Île de Ré, the rules concerning dogs on the beaches change according to the municipalities and the seasons, so it is best to check before laying down your towel.
Summer remains the most regulated period. Many beaches prohibit dogs during the day in order to preserve the peace and quiet of vacationers and the cleanliness of swimming areas.
Fortunately, several sectors remain accessible.
⚠️ Regulations change rapidly, and despite our efforts, this article may no longer be up-to-date when you read it. A word of advice: check the rules of the beaches you plan to visit with your dog using official sources before heading out.
- Ars-en-Ré beach Dogs are allowed from September 30th to June 1st.
- On the beaches of Whale Shell and Wild sideDogs are allowed from June 15th to September 15th, from 19pm to 9am.
- La Gouillauds beach dogs on leashes are tolerated in Bois-Plage-en-Ré from June 1st to September 30th.
- In Les Portes-en-Ré, dogs are allowed from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., during the period from September 30 to June 1.
- In La Couarde-sur-Mer, dogs are allowed on the beaches from September 30th to June 1st and outside of school holiday periods.
- For the rest of the year, restrictions become much more relaxed across the island and dogs are often tolerated on many beaches.
I advise you to always keep a leash with you, even on designated beaches. Some natural areas are home to protected birds, particularly near marshes and dunes, and checks can be frequent depending on the season.
Between dog-friendly beaches, bike rides through the salt marshes, and leisurely harbor walks, Île de Ré is a beautiful destination for a holiday with your dog. To fully enjoy your stay on Île de Ré, consider the QUALIDOG-certified accommodations I mentioned earlier : these are perfectly suited to welcome you and your dog during your vacation.
And you, what are your favorite activities or favorite spots to discover with your dog on Île de Ré? 👇 Share your experience in the comments to help future travelers plan their holidays with their furry friend.
