Plage des Anneries

From La Couarde-sur-Mer, the beach is a 5-minute drive, a 10-minute bike ride, or a 20-minute walk — and honestly, the bike is the best choice on Île de Ré's flat lanes. Parking is available at the end of Rue des Anneries, with a mix of free street parking and paid dedicated lots; designated accessible spaces are often available at no charge. There is no entry fee for the beach itself, and it's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No specific parking app or pay system is documented, so check signage on arrival for current paid-lot arrangements.

The Phare des Baleines, the historic lighthouse at the western tip of Île de Ré, is worth the short trip for its panoramic views and on-site museum. The Marais Salants — the extensive salt marshes around Ars-en-Ré and Loix — are right on the beach's doorstep and offer a window into traditional salt production alongside diverse birdlife. Saint-Martin-de-Ré, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortified town and port, is a rewarding half-day excursion from the beach. The Pointe du Grouin viewpoint, rated 4.2/5, is another natural highlight worth adding to your itinerary.

La Cabane du Feneau, rated an impressive 4.8/5 across over 1,300 reviews, is the standout dining option in the area at 3.7 km from the beach — worth the short ride for fresh, local flavours. For a quick stop closer to the sand, the Carrefour Contact at 0.4 km is a practical option for picking up supplies. La Pergola Discothèque, 0.6 km away, rounds out the immediate options if you're after something in the evening.

Camping Eden Villages L'Océan & Spa on Île de Ré, rated 4.4/5 from over 2,100 reviews and 3.7 km from the beach, is the most popular base in the area and offers a full spa alongside its camping facilities. Camping La Tour des Prises, a four-star site rated 4.2/5 at 2.3 km, is a solid alternative with strong guest feedback and a closer position to the beach.

The salt marshes bordering the beach are the most photogenic element — shoot at golden hour when the low Atlantic light turns the water channels copper and the sky goes wide and soft. For the beach itself, early morning before visitors arrive gives you clean golden sand and grey water under a pale sky, with the flat Île de Ré horizon doing all the compositional work.

Swimming is rated moderate — the Atlantic here carries tidal movement, so check local tide tables before entering the water, keep children close, and don't underestimate the pull even on calm-looking days. The salt marshes adjacent to the beach are a working and ecological landscape — stay on marked paths and don't disturb the channels or wildlife. A laptop-friendly café, Les Anneries, sits just 0.4 km away if you need connectivity, but the beach itself is a genuine opportunity to switch off. Avoid visiting November through February: Atlantic winter storms make conditions rough, the water is cold, and local services are significantly reduced.