DOMAINE DU BIEN-ETRE
Smart address at the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
FANS OF CHIC Domaine de la Baronnie, in Ile de Ré's capital Saint-Martin, will be glad to hear that this pleasing property now has a younger sister just yards away.
Owners Pierre and Florence Pallardy have put their distinctive design flair to work in a neighbouring villa, and the result – Domaine du Bien-Etre – makes an enviable addition to the town's sought-after addresses.
Rustic white shutters, ivy and wisteria clad walls and traditional arched doorways lend their new domain plenty of eye-appeal. And keep walking: a real highlight of this property is the delightful flowered and sun-warmed courtyard, where tables and chairs nudged by shady palms beckon for breakfast, tea and late-evening trysts. A garden stretches away behind.
Inside Domaine du Bien-Etre, it's all restrained colours and classic French elegance with a dash of rustique. Five spacious rooms have rugged wooden floors, creamy furniture and cool ivory walls accented with soft floral fabrics.
Hit the Spot
Near the quayside of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Bedtime
Bounce into Pavillon Princesse's winsome four poster.
Be Savvy
Take a garden room rather than a street -facing room for the quietest nights .
Be Smitten
Restful-rustic appeal at the heart of Saint-Martin.
Four-postered Pavillon
Each room has its own colour leitmotif. Buckingham is all cool blues, Richelieu has splashes of vibrant reds, while Rose de Parme blushes in cerise and lilac. We especially liked the spacious Loft room with its light wood panelling and piles of cushions, and the white-on-white simplicity of Pavillon Princesse, with its winsome wrought-iron four poster. Decisions, decisions.
Domaine du Bien-Etre was reviewed by Room for Romance
Owners Pierre and Florence Pallardy have put their distinctive design flair to work in a neighbouring villa, and the result – Domaine du Bien-Etre – makes an enviable addition to the town's sought-after addresses.
Rustic white shutters, ivy and wisteria clad walls and traditional arched doorways lend their new domain plenty of eye-appeal. And keep walking: a real highlight of this property is the delightful flowered and sun-warmed courtyard, where tables and chairs nudged by shady palms beckon for breakfast, tea and late-evening trysts. A garden stretches away behind.
Inside Domaine du Bien-Etre, it's all restrained colours and classic French elegance with a dash of rustique. Five spacious rooms have rugged wooden floors, creamy furniture and cool ivory walls accented with soft floral fabrics.
Hit the Spot
Near the quayside of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
Bedtime
Bounce into Pavillon Princesse's winsome four poster.
Be Savvy
Take a garden room rather than a street -facing room for the quietest nights .
Be Smitten
Restful-rustic appeal at the heart of Saint-Martin.
Four-postered Pavillon
Each room has its own colour leitmotif. Buckingham is all cool blues, Richelieu has splashes of vibrant reds, while Rose de Parme blushes in cerise and lilac. We especially liked the spacious Loft room with its light wood panelling and piles of cushions, and the white-on-white simplicity of Pavillon Princesse, with its winsome wrought-iron four poster. Decisions, decisions.
Domaine du Bien-Etre was reviewed by Room for Romance
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Dining in
Only breakfast is served. Expect fresh market produce very much in keeping with the owners' philosophy of peace and wellbeing.
Dining out
Great food is just a short walk away in Saint-Martin. It's a great place for fresh seafood, and among excellent local restaurants is the waterside Le Serghi. Have a chat with your hostess and she’ll point you towards the best Ile de Ré has to offer.
Where?
Domaine du Bien-Etre
What’s cooking?
Clean-living, healthy breakfasts
Dress the part
Your holiday wardrobe will do nicely
Top table?
Out in the flower-filled garden on sunny mornings
See & Do
Hop into the saddle – Ile de Ré has over 100km of cycle track especially for you and your rental bike. A bird sanctuary is close by, and you really get a sense of nature along the island's untamed, wild beaches. You'll find plenty of old villages to call into for a cooling beer or citron pressé.
Shop
This is the place to pick up chic beachwear and sandals. Home decoration shops are also plentiful in Saint-Martin.
After dark
Saint-Martin has some great nightlife, with bars and discos dotted around the town. Head for the waterfront and you won't be far from the action. On the mainland, Le Cohiba in La Rochelle is a lively Latino bar serving exotic cocktails.
Dates
May
Yachties from around France arrive to take part in the colourful Tour de L'ile de Ré.
June
Cavalcade in La Rochelle marks the onset of summer with two days of fanfares, parades and music.
August
Literature rules: the book festival hits Ile de Ré.
Only breakfast is served. Expect fresh market produce very much in keeping with the owners' philosophy of peace and wellbeing.
Dining out
Great food is just a short walk away in Saint-Martin. It's a great place for fresh seafood, and among excellent local restaurants is the waterside Le Serghi. Have a chat with your hostess and she’ll point you towards the best Ile de Ré has to offer.
Where?
Domaine du Bien-Etre
What’s cooking?
Clean-living, healthy breakfasts
Dress the part
Your holiday wardrobe will do nicely
Top table?
Out in the flower-filled garden on sunny mornings
See & Do
Hop into the saddle – Ile de Ré has over 100km of cycle track especially for you and your rental bike. A bird sanctuary is close by, and you really get a sense of nature along the island's untamed, wild beaches. You'll find plenty of old villages to call into for a cooling beer or citron pressé.
Shop
This is the place to pick up chic beachwear and sandals. Home decoration shops are also plentiful in Saint-Martin.
After dark
Saint-Martin has some great nightlife, with bars and discos dotted around the town. Head for the waterfront and you won't be far from the action. On the mainland, Le Cohiba in La Rochelle is a lively Latino bar serving exotic cocktails.
Dates
May
Yachties from around France arrive to take part in the colourful Tour de L'ile de Ré.
June
Cavalcade in La Rochelle marks the onset of summer with two days of fanfares, parades and music.
August
Literature rules: the book festival hits Ile de Ré.
GETTING THERE
Location
Rue Baron de Chantal, 17410 Saint-Martin de Ré
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
La Rochelle station – 25km
Taxis
EUR 40 from the station
Airport
La Rochelle – 15km
Rooms and suites
Six rooms, one suite
Special features
Bedrooms are stylish and simple – like those in the neighbouring sister property Domaine de la Baronnie.
Also…
There are pretty gardens to relax in, and you're just 50m from the harbour in Saint-Martin.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 150 - 260
Open/closed
Closed November – 1 April
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
No
Children
No restrictions
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Languages
French and English
Wedding license?
No.
Eco conscience
Your hosts recycle glass and plastic, which is rare on the island.
Your contact
Florence and Pierre Pallardy – owners
Location
Rue Baron de Chantal, 17410 Saint-Martin de Ré
Parking
There is free guest parking
Trains
La Rochelle station – 25km
Taxis
EUR 40 from the station
Airport
La Rochelle – 15km
Rooms and suites
Six rooms, one suite
Special features
Bedrooms are stylish and simple – like those in the neighbouring sister property Domaine de la Baronnie.
Also…
There are pretty gardens to relax in, and you're just 50m from the harbour in Saint-Martin.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 150 - 260
Open/closed
Closed November – 1 April
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
No
Children
No restrictions
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Languages
French and English
Wedding license?
No.
Eco conscience
Your hosts recycle glass and plastic, which is rare on the island.
Your contact
Florence and Pierre Pallardy – owners
