Original stone-built houses are a considerable part of Ile de Ré’s charm, and the chance to stay in one is an absolute treat, especially when it’s as comfortable and well located as Maison Merindot.

Tucked away down a cobbled street in St Martin de Ré, the outside of this 17th century townhouse is ridiculously photogenic, with brightly painted shutters, an antique door knocker and even an old well. The magic continues as you step through the private courtyard and into the house, a quirky yet tasteful mix of styles and centuries, carefully curated by its interior-designer owner. Maison Merindot is vintage heaven, romantic yet practical for a small family, with a modern kitchen and bathrooms. That all-important outdoor space is provided too, with a cute courtyard garden for long lunches, a sneaky siesta or dinner beneath the stars.

If you arrive by car there are two large public car parks about 500m away, but once you’ve unloaded there’s no need to drive anywhere for the rest of your stay. Bikes can be secured in the street outside the house, and it’s a short stroll along cobbled streets to the harbour, the heart of this UNESCO-classified town. St Martin’s famous fortifications are as old as Maison Merindot itself, but today this charming town is dedicated to the holiday pleasures of fresh seafood and fine wine, boutique shopping and gallery browsing, all within moments of your front door.

The Local area

The house sits on a quiet cobbled street, a short walk to restaurants, cafés, food shops and the covered market selling everything from baguettes to bikinis, with most of the food produce being local. During the summer months there’s also a lively night market here every evening, the perfect place to pick up some local specialities for an instant dinner or a beach picnic the next day. Your nearest beach is La Cible, a short bike ride away, or Le Bois Plage just a hop across the island (4km). Ile de Ré has around 60 kilometres of flat, well-maintained cycle paths, so even if you haven’t ridden a bike in years, it’s easy to get around and much more pleasurable than driving. It’s also worth taking a look at the old town fortifications, laid out in a distinctive star shape and fun for young would-be pirates and knights to explore. Their sheer scale is testament to the regard the French had for this little island, which seems as strong today as it was 400 years ago.

Our choice of France properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.