Ars-en-Ré

Salt made the fortune of Ars-en-Ré: until the early 20th century its port lived on the salt trade, and salt pans still press right up to the village. Boats reach the harbour, the island's largest, by a channel cut through the marshes from the Fier d'Ars inlet, with a lock holding the water in. Beyond, forest and a dyke-backed beach run west towards the Phare des Baleines.

Highlights

• Salt marshes right on the edge of the village
• The harbour, with its lock-held basin and big tidal range
• Daily summer market near the port, with a covered fresh-food hall
• Phare des Baleines at the island's western tip (FR)

Summary based on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA), written with AI assistance.