The Best Hotels in Île de Ré, the French Island Beloved by Parisians
The 19-by-3-mile island lounges just off the French Atlantic coast, a rich tapestry of white-washed villages, calm beaches with fewer visitors, memorably mouth-watering seafood, and a more authentic flavor, untouched by mass tourism. This dainty stretch of land manages to emulate the chic feel of its larger siblings in the South of France while offering an altogether more intimate, family sort of feel.
île de Ré is known for its salt marshes and pine-backed beaches, and holidays here are peppered with meals taken at rustic oyster shacks, leisurely vineyard bike rides, and days spent meandering around the 10 traditional villages, the jewel in the crown of which, the main town of St-Martin-de-Ré, has the 17th-century Fortifications of Vauban and a string of marina-side cafés and boutiques.
If you're planning a trip to the island where the sun (almost) never stops shining, here are the best places to stay.
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Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
Artist JR Uses Trains As His Canvas —See Inside His Latest Masterpiece
The lounge area on L'Observatoire, the new sleeper carriage on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond I could see clear blue skies in the background of my video call with JR, the French street artist turned global superstar. He was sporting a hat, dark sunglasses and a ready smile; accessories that are meant to protect from the Provençal sunshine but are also the signature of the elusive yet influential contemporary artist. Known as an 'artivist', JR is celebrated for his impactful work that blends creativity with critical thinking. He uses streets and buildings as his canvas, and his multimedia pieces are often laced with poetic and progressive messages. From the Pyramids of Giza to the Louvre in Paris, JR's public installations span large-scale photographs and trompe l'œil optical illusions that catch your attention and hold a deeper message. French artist JR in front of his installation 'La Nascita' ('The birth'), in Piazza Duca d'Aosta, in front of the Central Station in Milan, Italy. The installation is the first 'sculptural anamorphosis' created by JR, conceived as a large trompe-l'œil to tell the origin of the surrounding railway station. (Photo by) Getty Images When we talked, he was kicking off his annual summer break, where he intentionally slows down and largely stays put in the French countryside. 'I travel so much and over the summer I stop flying and reboot,' he says. On the odd weekend, he indulges in his favorite mode of transport—trains—and takes short trips elsewhere in Europe. JR, who grew up in the Parisian suburbs, has long been fascinated by trains. 'I used trains early in my career—it's an amazing way to take a piece of art from one place to the other.' One of his most memorable projects is 'Women Are Heroes' (2007), in which he placed eyes on a train carriage. 'I love how your work gets to travel everywhere'. In 2020, JR sat down with Belmond, the luxury travel company whose iconic collection includes the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a mythical train steeped in legend and whose name alone conjures the most glamorous journeys. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is so steeped in legend, its name alone conjures the most glamorous journeys. Courtesy of Belmond 'Everyone knows the VSOE. Even though you've never been aboard, you definitely have a perception of it,' he says. 'It's the biggest celebrity of all. Have you seen how many people take pictures when it's stopped at a station?' The collaboration presented an opportunity to create more than just a moving art piece, but to design an entire carriage beginning from its lovely bones. 'I would have never imagined that one day I'll get to build my own train carriage. It's a dream I wouldn't have had the courage to have,' he says. When he first stepped inside the VSOE, JR says he was struck by the longevity of the pre-war interiors, most of which was made during the Jazz Age. 'The details expressed the passion of the craftsmen who created these carriages almost a hundred years ago. I thought we should also make something timeless, something that will live beyond me.' The lounge area and library aboard the L'Observatoire Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond Four years in the making, the result of the collaboration is L'Observatoire—a truly bespoke and artistic sleeper carriage that's a new addition to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. JR handpicked every element, from the general layout down to the smallest graphic detail. From the outset, the goal was to build the grandest residence on rails, combining the richness of a 'cabinet of curiosities' and the wonder of being inside an astronomical observatory. Intricate marquetry adorns the entire sleeper carriage Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond To achieve this, a tribe of artisans were brought together—the most talented hands in Europe with expertise in marble, stained glass, wood marquetry and more. 'The level of craftsmanship is mind blowing,' he says. He spotlights the atelier that did the wood marquetry for L'Observatoire. JRs studio did the drawings then handed it over to them to realize. 'They actually brought every drawing we did to life, you know? That is not something that you do overnight. You have to find the right wood and carefully think about how the light is gonna go through the wood.' Seek and you shall find A true iconoclast, JR has built his name on creating monumental artwork, so scaling down to a smaller space posed a different challenge. Whether it's a barren desert in California or the slums of Nairobi, he is a master of crafting an immersive experience—something also true of the intimate carriage, L'Observatoire. From the artpieces to the oculus, L'Observatoire is truly one-of-a-kind residence on rails Photography: Ludovic Balay; Courtesy of Belmond An element that he wouldn't compromise on was the addition of an oculus, so travellers can see the sky above as they cross borders. 'It was something that I had dreamed of from the beginning as it has never been done on a train. Thank God for the incredible engineers of the VSOE, who created this technical feat'. Like many of his works, there's a solid message behind the art. In this suite, the messages are a bit more whimsical in nature and invite viewers to a treasure hunt. JR is partial to an installation set in the tea room where there's a train maquette that has a running video of his team. Throughout hours of footage, you may suddenly catch a clue that leads you to his first Leica camera or other concealed items within the suite. More than just a bespoke art piece, this special train carriage is a way to observe the outside but also enter the universe of JR. 'Maybe someone will find those hidden messages, maybe someone won't. You'll just have to ride the train to find out.' MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Is Quiet Luxury Over? Top Designer André Fu Believes It's Here To Stay By Kissa Castaneda Forbes 6 Intriguing Installations At The Venice Biennale Of Architecture 2025 By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Wellness Design Is Booming—Rakxa In Bangkok Shows How To Bring It Home By Kissa Castaneda Forbes A Creative's Guide To Notting Hill: Where To Go Beyond Portobello Road By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Art Deco Is Trending Again—See Inside These Reimagined Gems In London By Kissa Castaneda
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
From Montecarlo to Rome, LPGA players slayed their vacations, including three engagements
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
World leader under fire after details about recent travel come to light: 'Quite absurd'
World leader under fire after details about recent travel come to light: 'Quite absurd' Many people believe politicians have a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude, and certainly, this story doesn't help that perception. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's travel habits are once again under scrutiny. Euractiv reported that she took 16 private jet trips in 2024, all paid by the commission, despite her public push for the European Union's Green Deal. According to public records, von der Leyen flew on chartered planes for events ranging from global summits to low-mileage trips between Brussels and Strasbourg, France, a route that offers direct high-speed trains. German European Parliament member Martin Schirdewan, who inquired about her travel records, didn't hold back. "I find it quite absurd that she still uses private jets when there's a train option that takes less than five hours," Schirdewan told Euractiv. "She does not stand above the rules, although she likes to make some for herself." Meanwhile, a commission spokesperson attempted to defend the trips, stating that they took place "only" when logistics, tight schedules, or security made commercial options impossible. One September mission had 40 staffers visit a flood-hit area in Wroclaw, Poland, before heading to Ukraine. The cost? Almost 3,000 euros ($3,524) per person. There was a private jet from Paris to the G7 Summit in Italy and the Ukraine Peace Conference in Switzerland, which cost 14,110 euros ($16,575) per person. But the total costs have not been made public. The backlash isn't new. German outlets Bild and Der Spiegel reported that von der Leyen took 57 private flights in just two years. The pattern continues, and so does the pollution. Private jets produce far more harmful carbon pollution per passenger than commercial flights. Five of her 2024 trips were to Strasbourg alone, including a one-hour jump from Brussels. It's fair to ask who pays the price when leaders ignore their own climate advice. Private jets, often used by billionaires and heads of state, let the wealthy skip public transport while the rest of us breathe dirtier air. An EU president flying private on Europe Day is just one example. Even Elon Musk's private trips sparked debate over his pollution record. If there's a silver lining, local and national pushes are growing to curb elite air travel and support greener options. Polls on private jet pollution have sparked calls to tax or ban unnecessary short-haul flights. Small steps, but they add up to a fairer, cleaner future. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
