I visited an off-the-radar paradise island off the French coast – and flights from UK cost just £40 return

PICTURE yourself cycling through salt marshes in the afternoon sun, dipping your toes in the Atlantic, and gobbling up seafood, caught right off the shores you were wandering earlier. 

This is Ile de Re, a little slice of paradise just off the west coast of France where rustic fortresses overlook long stretches of sandy beach. 

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I was visiting for a long weekend in search of a lazy, coastal escape where I could spend relaxed afternoons sipping on wine or wandering through quiet streets littered with cafes. 

And that’s exactly what I found here. 

Time seems to slow down in Ile de Re, probably because, unlike the bustling streets of Paris or the crowded beaches of Nice, it is still not high on Brits’ radars. 

This small island is, in fact, where the French holiday, so you won’t find many other UK tourists roaming around the port town of Saint Martin or strolling along the shores of La Patache. 

Palatial furniture 

I checked into Hotel de Toiras, which was in the heart of the action in Saint Martin de Re. 

The elegant property, with most accommodating staff, is everything you’d expect from a little French hotel. 

Each of the charming rooms is decorated with palatial furniture — think beautifully-upholstered armchairs, delicate lamps and intricate iron headboards. 

The best rooms are those with a sea view. 

Ask for one when you book and you will be soaking up perfect views of the harbour each morning. 

If you’re after something a little less formal, head to Villa Clarisse, set a little further back from the waterfront. 

The villa combines modern luxury with the charm of an 18th-century mansion. 

It’s the kind of place you spend your mornings lazing by the large outdoor pool, reading a book and having freshly baked baguettes alongside your lunch. 

There’s also an on-site spa that utilises unusual ingredients such as sunflower pollen in its heavenly treatments. 

The island was calling out to be explored so on my first day I rented an e-bike and set off to explore — following some of the 100km of paths that wind along the coast. 

Make your way to historic Les Baleines lighthouse, sat at the northern tip of the island — it takes around an hour to cycle there from Saint Martin. 

You don’t need to worry about working up too much of a sweat because luckily the climate stays mild here, even during summer (temperatures hover between 20C and 25C). 

The lighthouse, which dates back to 1849, towers 57 metres high and visitors can climb its 257 steps. 

If you have the energy to do so, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Atlantic. 

You don’t need to worry about working up too much of a sweat because luckily the climate stays mild here, even during summer (temperatures hover between 20C and 25C). 

Of course, you will still need fuel for all of that pedalling and this French escape is not short of excellent options for foodies. 

Ile de Re is famous for its oysters. 

You can pick up a tray of them from the many restaurants that surround the harbour or one of the casual seaside shacks — where you can wash them down with a glass of very nice white wine for no more than about €5 (£4.30). 

If you’re looking for the best of the best, though, La Cabane Oceane, in La Flotte, is undoubtedly the place to head. 

The oyster hut has its own farm on the island, meaning you’ll be eating the freshest shelled fish, shucked there and then, which you can devour on high wooden bars overlooking the sun-kissed ocean. 

I’d recommend eating them natural, or dressed with a simple squirt of lemon if you want to taste them in their purest form. 

After stuffing my face, all I needed to do was roll up to my bedroom, where the sound of the ocean lulled me peacefully off to sleep. 

If oysters aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other fresh fish to be enjoyed. 

George’s restaurant at Hotel Le Toiras is a foodie spot in its own right. 

It was here that I tucked into the most delicious three-course dinner with a view that’s as delectable as the food. 

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The white fish of the day with risotto, accompanied by the creamiest sauce and squid ink, was to die for. 

There’s plenty of meat on the menu, too, if that’s what you’re after — including a veal fillet mignon and mashed potatoes, that is the restaurant’s piece de resistance. 

After stuffing my face, all I needed to do was roll up to my bedroom, where the sound of the ocean lulled me peacefully off to sleep. 

A holiday doesn’t get more relaxing than this.