Villa Clarisse

Located in the heart of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the historic capital of this small French island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Villa Clarisse is the most exclusive Relais & Châteaux address in the heart of the old city. Home to five suites and four rooms, Villa Clarisse is an elegant and exclusive retreat within easy reach of the beautiful harbour and the island’s many attractions, and is well-suited to couples, friends and families. Explore the nearby fortress by Vauban, endless bicycle trails around the island, shopping in local markets, sailing excursions, donkey and horse riding, relax by the villa’s gorgeous heated outdoor swimming pool, or enjoy a range of luxurious in-room spa treatments.

For wine lovers, a visit to Château Clarisse, Villa Clarisse’s vineyard two hours away in Saint-Emilion, is a must-see. Established in 2010 in one of Bordeaux’s most illustrious wine growing areas, Château Clarisse now produces some excellent wines. Villa Clarisse guests are warmly invited to enjoy a day at the vineyard for wine tasting and lunch, with return chauffeur driven transfers.

Other attractions nearby include two beautiful golf courses, including the 9-hole course at Les Portes en Ré, where it’s possible to hone your game on water, and an 18-hole course at La Rochelle. For families with younger children, nearby activities on the mainland include La Rochelle Aquarium, Palmyre Zoo and Le Puy du Fou, a wildly popular amusement park where the whole family can discover European history in rides, shows and re-enactments.

Nightly rates at Villa Clarisse start from $259/ €210 / £187 per night (excluding breakfast, in a Superior Room). www.villa-clarisse.com/en