As you head towards the end of the island, your
gaze will be drawn to the black and white church tower which is still used as a
sea mark by sailors and which belongs to the church of Ars (yes it really is
pronounced arse), and is the symbol of one of France’s most lovely villages.
Its narrow streets lined with stone built and white washed houses and the
ubiquitous hollyhocks all converge on the port and the summer market, which is
possibly the best on the island.
Lying around 100m from the church, the marina
is dominated by the former railway station, opposite the famous Café du
Commerce, one of the trendier restaurants on the island. The marina and harbour
are accessible by a channel which slips through the salt marshes.
The salt marshes which surround the village are
an invitation to long bike rides towards La Couarde via Le Martray (the narrowest point on
the island), or towards Saint-Clément and Les Portes via the breathtaking
nature reserve and bird sanctuary of Lilleau des Niges. Everywhere you look,
magical sights await you, especially at sundown when sky, sea and salt weave
together in an enchanting palette of colours.
On your way back from the beach or from a bike
ride, or after wandering around the tiny streets, stop off at the church square
and enjoy a coffee on the terrace of one of the cafés, and breathe in the smell
of pure sea air. |
