Ile de Re

Since Autumn is well and truly here, I thought it was a good time to reflect on my amazing Summer in France, spent cycling through vineyards, exploring salt marshes, enjoying picnics on the dunes and lazing by the pool. Reminiscing about all this lovely stuff feels like a kind of cruel torture when I'm currently slogging away trying to save money for my year out, but I'm gonna go ahead and do it anyway.

Ile de Re is a beautiful island off the west coast of France and one of my favourite places in the world. The lifestyle there is really laid back and the seafood is so fresh and delicious. Thanks to strict planning regulations all of the houses on the island are painted white with coloured shutters, most of which are lovely grey or pastel tones. It's famous for it hollyhocks and it's very cute donkeys in pyjamas (I definitely advise googling 'les anes en culottes')!

Back in August I turned 21 and I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate this big birthday surrounded by my friends and family in such a gorgeous setting.

I definitely recommend visiting this part of France - though August is best avoided in my opinion as it gets crazy busy.

Spending Summer on the Ile de Re was a pleasure as always and I can't wait to be back there again soon. Goodbye Summer, see you again next year!