The language of the île de Re: 5 terms to know absolutely!
Written on : 04 October 2019 By : Emma Di Gesaro
Located in the Gulf of Casgogne, the fourth largest island in metropolitan France is the place to go for a French-style holiday.
Travel around the island of Ré by bike or by foot and discover this little jewel of France: from its endless bridge to its superb beaches and the famous whale lighthouse, Ile de Ré is the ideal place for a weekend or a holiday with family and friends.
Enjoy the island's cuisine or an aperitif by the sea to forget your routine for a moment.
For those who do not know it, the island of Ré has its own language, the language of the islands, a very precise vocabulary that it may be useful to know if you are passing through this small 85 m2 island.
We have selected for you 5 terms to know if you are passing through the island of Ré.
1 - The estran :
This term may seem obvious to some, but for those who have not yet passed through the island, it is good to know.
L'Estran is a maritime area that is sometimes covered and sometimes discovered by the tide.
At low tide, walks are offered to discover the fauna and flora of a landscape usually covered by the sea.
These walks are an opportunity to learn to respect nature, so bring a good pair of shoes and discover the marine secrets of the island of Ré.
2 - The Oyat
Oyat is the plant that grows in the sandy dunes of the Île de Ré that you will see as far as the eye can see.
This small plant plays an important role in the formation and fixation of dunes as well as in the coastal defence of the Ile de Ré thanks to its long roots that sink into the sand.
The plant can reach up to 120 centimetres and is particularly resistant to sea salt, which does not burn it. Beware, the edges of this plant can be sharp!
Travel around the island and admire the plants that dominate the dunes.
3 - The Clam
Known by all, the clam is to be tasted in the many restaurants of the Île de Ré.
Findable by fishermen who venture into the foreshore at low tide, this small shellfish is delicious, in spaghetti or with a plate of chips as tradition has it! You can catch it at a depth of only 15 cm and there are all kinds of fish: blue, pink, European or Japanese.
However, if you want to go clamming, some things are to know, such as being careful to only fish shellfish that have reached adult size, which is 3.5 cm.
4 - Trousse Chemise
If you are told about a Trousse Chemise ( literally meaning kit an shirt), don't be afraid you won't go crazy. Trousse Chemise is one of the superb wild beaches located in the commune of Les Portes en Ré where the sea meets the woods.
The small forest of Trousse Chemise is only 20 hectares, but is ideal for a picnic or a family walk.
Its beach, lined with pines, is very pleasant to enjoy a summer or winter bath for the bravest!
Trousse Chemise is the ideal spot for a multi-activity day with the whole family.
The Banc du Bûcheron is a sandy stretch of land that flows into the sea.
Accessible only by boat, beware of tidal hours as this strip of sand only reveals itself when the ocean retreats.
At favourable times, take the opportunity to come and sunbathe on this ephemeral beach, a little jewel of the Ile de Ré. Despite its beauty, the ever-expanding banc du bûcheron threatens to block the entrance to the Fier d'Ars, which could jeopardize the island's activities such as salt marshes and shellfish farming.
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