Located in the Bay of Biscay and not far from the Vendée region, Ré Island [Île de Ré] is 26 kilometers long and bordered by 100 kilometers of coast, half of which is covered with sand and pebble beaches, dunes, cliffs and rocky spikes. It is in this idyllic setting that the hotel, with a seventeenth century turret and rhinestone stone facades, offers 11 rooms and suites with a unique voyage atmosphere…

With more than 2300 hours of sunshine per year, its streets, flowery alleys, picturesque houses and breathtaking views of the ocean, Ré Island’s unique heritage also has Vauban fortifications which form part of a UNESCO Heritage Site and an exceptional flora and fauna, which everyone can discover at their own pace through the 100 km of bicycle paths on the island. The first five-star hotel of the island is ideally located on the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. This typically Rhetish building is the former home of seventeenth century dwellers, and the house really came into its own when Olivia Le Calvez fell in love with it. Passionate about the history of the island and the character of the place, she worked on the restoration of the house for two years, surrounded by local artisans, and dedicated the hotel to the illustrious Maréchal Toiras who defended the island besieged by the Duke of Buckingham and his troops. Its first suites and rooms were opened in 2004 and its latest wing was inaugurated in 2008. It is through its sumptuous lounges that the Hotel de Toiras is best discovered. On checkered black and white floors, you will be able to admire 18th century-style furniture, such as comfortable, fringed sofas or Louis XVI and Empire armchairs. Unearthed in La Rochelle and Paris antique shops, paintings, etchings and collectibles are also on display. In each room of the hotel, the owner wished to pay tribute to the great figures of the island lending their name to the 11 rooms and 9 suites, by imagining a series of portraits made by young painters. Some suites are worth the trip alone. For example, the Marshal Toiras Deluxe Suite and its 55m² offers an exceptional view in direct contact with the port of Saint-Martin. With the windows wide open, one can seize the mood of the day, the atmosphere of the harbor waking up every morning, the sea breeze and the jangle of the boats’ masts. Celebrating the art of living in the French way, the suite is adorned with a sublime Louis XIV wardrobe acting as a cloakroom. A freestanding bath with lion’s feet and a walk-in shower make the bathroom all the more inviting.

Refinement is king in this exceptional establishment. In collaboration with Loix et Savons, a soap producer from Loix on Ré Island, Olivia Le Calvez offers organic donkey milk soaps enriched with shea butter in each of the hotel’s rooms and suites. Ultimate luxury, donkey milk baths are available on request in all rooms and suites equipped with bathtubs. Cleopatra praised the virtues of this ancient ritual to keep the skin full of luster and suppleness. Reserved for a dozen diners each evening, the Hotel de Toiras’ dining room is adorned with XVIIth century-style flowery tapestries and antique vases. Antonio Sanna, the Italian chef, works with the products he loves here, crustaceans and fish being top of the list. An unrestrained cuisine cultivating the love of good produce. Since 2010, Olivia Le Calvez and her husband Didier Le Calvez also offer their own wine, renamed after their second child The Château Clarisse, cultivated within the appellation of Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion.

On an island with a unique historical heritage, the Hotel de Toiras and its staff offer their guests a tailor-made program, inviting guests to fully immerse themselves in the heart of Rhetish life: a visit to La Rochelle market alongside the chef, sea fishing accompanied by a skipper in search of sea bass and sea bream, a helicopter ride over the island with extraordinary views, and catamaran excursions are all on offer. Please note that the Hôtel de Toiras and his little sister the Clarisse Villa are also open for seminars, hosting groups of 15 to 20 people.

HOTEL DE TOIRAS *****
1 Quai Job Foran,
17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Tel : +33 (0)5 46 35 40 32
www.hotel-de-toiras.com