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Last but by no means least, Les Portes is the furthest village from the bridge to the mainland and has a reputation as an exclusive retreat for celebrities and rich Parisians – Charles Aznavour sings a famous song about the forest of Trousse Chemise which hides the beach of the same name in the north western corner of the island.

Now one of the most exclusive villages, Les Portes was once one of the poorest, home to many salt farmers.

A quiet haven, it has remained, like all the villages on the island, a lovely place to wander through narrow streets and alley ways admiring the local architecture and the variety of flowers at the roadside. You might come across the Redoute chapel which was once and powder magazine on your way to the village square with its famous cafés and summer market.

If Les Portes has always been a source of inspiration for artists, it’s because everything is perfect and perfectly unchanged: from the beauty of the ocean and the long, wild beaches, to the purity of the wide open spaces, from the authentic whitewashed cottages to the pine filled forests.

The nautical centre, the surfing spots, the 9-hole golf course opposite the nature reserve, will ensure you enjoy your holidays in a sporting atmosphere surrounded by nature in the form of the salt marshes, bird sanctuary, and endless beaches: Trousse Chemise, le Lizay, Petit-Bec, le banc du Bûcheron – you’ll come to realize that these names are synonymous with white sands and clear waters.