Chauveau Beach

From Rivedoux-Plage village, the beach is a five-minute drive — straightforward and signposted. A small free car park serves the beach and rarely fills outside peak season, so arriving early is more pleasure than necessity. There's no entry fee. Wheelchair access is uncertain given the mixed sand and rock surface, so visitors with mobility needs should plan accordingly.

The Phare de Chauveau, just 1.2 km offshore, is visible from the sand and accessible by boat — a natural focal point for the afternoon. Two kilometres away, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré village offers a market, restaurants, and a cycle path network worth exploring. The ruins of the Ancienne abbaye Notre-Dame de Ré, known as the Châteliers abbey, are 6.1 km away and make a fine half-day detour into the island's medieval past.

Le Grand Large, 2.5 km from the beach, is the closest option for a sit-down meal. For seafood, Chez Ré Monde (2.8 km) and Le M (3.2 km) both specialise in the local catch. If you want something more local in character, Monsieur Léon is 3.4 km away — worth the short ride.

Hôtel de La Marée - Ile de Ré is the closest hotel at 3.2 km, a practical base for exploring the southeastern tip. Le peu breton (4.9 km) and L'Escale (5.1 km) offer further options within easy cycling distance. For those who want more comfort, Hôtel Les Grenettes Île de Ré is 6.8 km away.

Shoot the Phare de Chauveau at golden hour from the water's edge — the lighthouse islet silhouetted against the blue Atlantic is the defining image of this beach. At low tide, the exposed reef in the foreground adds texture and depth; early morning light keeps the scene free of haze and other visitors.

The rocky reef is the star at low tide, but watch your footing — wet rock is slippery and uneven. Currents at the southeastern tip can be strong, so swim only in the designated moderate-swimming zones and never underestimate the pull near the point. Do not collect shellfish from the reef without a permit — it's a local rule and an ecological one. Visit outside July and August if you want the beach largely to yourself; avoid November through February when winter swells make reef access genuinely dangerous.