Anam Cara

Overview

Anam Cara is a charming Rétais cottage tucked away in the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré on Île de Ré. Set within the village’s historic port, a UNESCO-listed site, the house is just a few minutes’ walk from the port, shops, cafés and restaurants, yet feels wonderfully peaceful and tucked away.

The house is very close to our hearts. My parents bought Anam Cara during lockdown after many years of visiting the island almost every summer since I was five. It instantly ticked all the boxes: central yet tranquil, full of character and with a sunny courtyard that opens from the living space.

Recently renovated and thoughtfully furnished in a refined Rétais style, the house blends traditional island charm with modern comfort. The bright living room opens onto a sunny courtyard, perfect for slow breakfasts, long lunches and evenings with a glass of wine after a day exploring the island.

The Owners

Anam Cara belongs to my parents, Annie and Steve, who bought this little gem during lockdown after many years of visiting Île de Ré and dreaming of having a place of their own here. Tucked away in the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, they fell in love with the house for its perfect location, just a few minutes from the harbour, shops and cafés, yet wonderfully tranquil once inside.

The name Anam Cara, meaning “soul friend”, captures exactly how they feel about the house. It’s their true happy place, somewhere they come to properly relax and slow down.

My mum and I furnished the house together, a process we absolutely loved. Mum is a keen cook, so the kitchen is stocked with cookbooks, spices and all the utensils you might need to cook something delicious. Her mornings usually begin with a trip to the boulangerie and the food market to pick up fresh bits for breakfast.

She’s also a keen runner and loves early morning runs along the coastal paths, often accompanied by Rudy, our very loved vizsla. When they’re not enjoying the garden with a book in the sunshine, my parents are usually out cycling around the island, often visiting friends in nearby Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré. They’re also big food lovers, so you’ll often find them at an oyster shack by the sea or enjoying a glass of wine at Lever de Soleil.

While the house is family-owned, bookings are managed locally by Orpi, who will handle your reservation and are on hand to answer any questions you may have during your stay.

Why we love it

The location: Île de Ré has such a special feel. The house is in the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, just a few minutes’ walk from the port, market, shops and restaurants, yet still wonderfully calm and peaceful.

The island lifestyle: Île de Ré is made for slow living- morning market runs, long bike rides between villages, beach afternoons and evenings wandering around the port.

The homely feel: Furnished by our family, the house feels warm and lived-in rather than like a typical rental. The kitchen is fully equipped (with a serious spice collection thanks to Mum), there are plenty of cookbooks, and everything is set up to make you feel at home.

The food: From fresh market produce and incredible bakeries to oysters by the sea and long dinners in bustling harbour restaurants, eating well is a big part of life here.

The courtyard garden: A sunny, sheltered spot that’s perfect for morning coffee, reading in the afternoon, or relaxed BBQ dinners after a day exploring the island.

The Setting

Anam Cara sits in the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a beautiful medieval port town and UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic fortifications, charming streets and lively port.

From the house, it’s just a short stroll to the port, where you’ll find cafés, restaurants, independent shops and the daily market. Despite being so central, the street itself is wonderfully calm, tucked away enough to feel peaceful even during the height of summer.

Île de Ré is made for slow exploring. The island is famous for its flat cycling paths, salt marshes, oyster shacks and long sandy beaches, all easily reached by bike from Saint-Martin. Nearby villages like La Flotte and Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré are perfect for morning rides, beach days or long seafood lunches by the water.

In winter, the island feels wonderfully tranquil, with quiet streets and cosy restaurants. In summer, it becomes vibrant and full of life, with bustling markets, sunny terraces and boats lining the harbour.

The details that matter

- Great night sleep with comfy beds
- Amazing location, 5-minutes walk to the port, shops and restaurants
- Sunny terrace with bbq and potbelly stove
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Car park nearby

Food & Drink

With my mum being a keen cook, the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could need, from utensils and cookbooks to a vast array of spices, making it easy to prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner at home. There’s also a BBQ in the garden for relaxed outdoor meals.

In the mornings, fresh bread, pastries, fruit, meat and cheese can be picked up from the local market by the port. Carrefour is great for the basics (milk, tea bags, sandwich fillings), while larger supermarkets like Intermarché or E.Leclerc are just a short cycle away.

Île de Ré is a true foodie’s paradise, and great food (and wine) is a big part of holidaying here. If you’d prefer to eat out, Saint-Martin-de-Ré has an incredible selection of restaurants, cafés and bars just a few minutes’ walk from the house. Having spent a lot of time here, we’ve included some of our favourite local recommendations in the Our Notes section, from relaxed beachside spots to lively evening restaurants.

Our Notes (tips)

Start the morning with a wander through Saint-Martin-de-Ré Market, full of fresh fruit, bread, cheese, meats and fish. Afterwards stop at Do Ré Mie for excellent bread and pastries - the best almond croissant in the world.

Spend some time exploring the independent boutiques around Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Our favourite clothing shops are Flamingo and Bonne Espérance, though there are plenty more to discover.

Climb the tower at Clocher Observatoire de Saint-Martin-de-Ré for the best views over the port and surrounding rooftops.

The best way to relax in Saint-Martin, in our opinion, is to grab a table at Lever du Soleil on the port front, order a glass (or two) of wine, soak up the sunshine (the spot truly lives up to its name) and watch the world go by. We often find ourselves happily people watching there for hours.

Hire bikes - it’s by far the best way to explore Île de Ré and the cycle paths are incredibly easy to follow. We recommend Beach Bikes at the port for good prices.

Cycle across the island to nearby villages. La Flotte is a lovely morning stop for breakfast at La Martinière followed by a wander through La Flotte Market, one of the best markets on the island.

Another great cycle is to Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré for its beautiful beach, followed by laid-back cocktails and excellent pizza at the beach bar. You can also stop for cheese and wine tasting at Fromagerie Gaiddon, and Les Q Salés is another great food spot nearby. We also recommend Plage de Gros Jonc and Plage de Trousse-Chemise, while your local beach Plage de Saint-Martin-de-Ré has a relaxed town-beach feel.

For something more active, take sailing or windsurfing lessons from Plage de Gros Jonc or book a court at Ré Tennis Club.

If you have a car, take a day trip to La Rochelle, a beautiful harbour city that’s well worth exploring.

Île de Ré is famous for its oysters. Our favourite spot is Cabane Océane - order oysters and a glass of wine while looking out across the bay. They also do warm oysters in a delicious garlic sauce. Cabane de Feneau is another great option, especially for larger groups.

Dinner is always a highlight here. Our favourite restaurant in Saint-Martin is Le Marin. The ideal order: lots of fresh bread, crevettes, côte de bœuf with the most delicious Roquefort sauce followed by lemon meringue pie. Around 10pm the music comes up and the restaurant turns into a lively bar packed with locals. From this point, you must order one of their mighty mojitos.

Other great dinner spots in town include Ben Hur, Le Tout du Cru, Boudin Zinc, L’Insolite and La Cible for a relaxed beachside dinner.

Further afield, Le Balaou and La Bouche Rit (order the pork chop) both serve seriously great food and are well worth the trip.

When you arrive, make a quick stop at the supermarket to stock the fridge. French supermarkets are top-notch. We recommend carrefour for the basics, 5-minutes walk away. Larger supermarkets, intermarché or E.Leclerc are both just a 10-minute cycle or short drive away. With my mum being a keen cook, the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need to create a delicious meal, including a vast array of spices, so you don’t always have to eat out. There’s also a BBQ in the garden, perfect for a relaxed evening.