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.

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

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Only breakfast is served. Expect fresh market produce very much in keeping with the owners' philosophy of peace and wellbeing.

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10.30am for EUR 16 per person.

Room service
No





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.

Diary 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 guest parking at EUR 10 -15

Trains
La Rochelle station – 25km

Taxis
EUR 40 from the station

Airport
La Rochelle – 15km

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 160 - 240

Open/closed
Closed November – 1 April

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
No

Children
No restrictions

Pets
No

Air conditioning
No

Wedding license?
No.