The area is a popular tourist destination.
It has approximately the same number of hours of sunshine as the southern coast of France.
The island has a constant light breeze, and the water temperature is generally cool.
The island is surrounded with gently sloping, sandy beaches.

The island has a winter resident population of approximately 20,000 residents and a summer resident population of about 220,000.
Since the local population is distributed all over the island, it seldom gets crowded.
The island has a network of cycle tracks, with many residents rarely using cars for transportation.
Camping grounds and hotels abound on the island, as well as supermarkets and all modern amenities.
Many families stay on the island for the duration of their vacations.

As a famous holiday resort on the Atlantic coast, the island has its fair share of celebrities, past and present.
Among others, Jean Monnet, the father of European Unity, singers Charles Aznavour and Claude Nougaro, actors Bernard Giraudeau and Claude Rich, actress Carole Bouquet, writer Philippe Sollers or Princess Caroline of Monaco used to or still do spend their holidays there.
Lionel Jospin, who was Prime Minister of France from 1997 to 2002, retired on the island after his withdrawal from political life.
Johnny Depp, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have also been spotted there.

Oysters and fresh fish are always available.
There is also a tradition in which the fishermen, upon returning from the sea, sell a small quantity of their catch directly on the quays, enabling them to buy a drink.
Markets are open on a daily basis in the main towns and are a popular place to shop, taste and chat.
Even the vendors in the markets come to the island on their holidays.
Generally, they work only in the mornings, enabling them to enjoy the remainder of the day.
A large variety of items can be bought at the market, such as comics, books, African articles, ceramics, clothes, artifacts, food, local specialities, tools and souvenirs.
The area is a popular tourist destination. It has approximately the same number of hours of sunshine as the southern coast of France. The island has a constant light breeze, and the water temperature is generally cool. The island is surrounded with gently sloping, sandy beaches.
The island has a winter resident population of approximately 20,000 residents and a summer resident population of about 220,000. Since the local population is distributed all over the island, it seldom gets crowded. The island has a network of cycle tracks, with many residents rarely using cars for transportation. Camping grounds and hotels abound on the island, as well as supermarkets and all modern amenities. Many families stay on the island for the duration of their vacations.
As a famous holiday resort on the Atlantic coast, the island has its fair share of celebrities, past and present. Among others, Jean Monnet, the father of European Unity, singers Charles Aznavour and Claude Nougaro, actors Bernard Giraudeau and Claude Rich, actress Carole Bouquet, writer Philippe Sollers or Princess Caroline of Monaco used to or still do spend their holidays there. Lionel Jospin, who was Prime Minister of France from 1997 to 2002, retired on the island after his withdrawal from political life. Johnny Depp, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have also been spotted there.
Oysters and fresh fish are always available. There is also a tradition in which the fishermen, upon returning from the sea, sell a small quantity of their catch directly on the quays, enabling them to buy a drink. Markets are open on a daily basis in the main towns and are a popular place to shop, taste and chat. Even the vendors in the markets come to the island on their holidays. Generally, they work only in the mornings, enabling them to enjoy the remainder of the day. A large variety of items can be bought at the market, such as comics, books, African articles, ceramics, clothes, artifacts, food, local specialities, tools and souvenirs.
Île de Ré