Il De Re

Heading to the pastel infused island of Il De Re with a group of my best friends was the last minute trip I needed after the slow start to the Cornish summer. Lucky enough to stay at a friends 7 bed Chateau just outside of the town Saint Martin we realised its frowned upon to travel in anyway except by bicycle. So we dragged Charlottes family bicycles out of the overgrown hedges of her vast garden and unearthed some cycle history. Mint racers and noir dutch bikes were the golden finds! However some were left with more ominous bikes lacking the essential brakes and saddles which we later realised are a necessity regardless of your ‘ability to balance really well on a surfboard’.

Our timing was impeccable (a flook admittedly) and we spent one of our first nights at the Islands only harbour to celebrate Bastille Day. Saint Martin has the charm of a small french fishing village and just a small walk up the hill houses some of the best in french antique furniture markets and delicious, vibrant ice cream parlours and bakeries.  

The beaches on Il De Re are filled with locals and pro-windsurfers. When we got there the wind was surprisingly tame and the beaches fairly sparse but come 12 O’clock the people watching began and the characters of the Island donned the beaches. Fantastic fluoro speedos, bold prints and beautiful sun kissed women all did the rounds on the beach. 

The architecture and colour palette of Il De Re is forever charming and we hope to make this a yearly trip.