From 175 euro for 1 November to 28 December

Why D in fall Because the island offers, as early as September, found peace, far from holidaymakers agglutinated on the terraces and the ports or pedalling row tight on roads. In October - Ré junkies love also November and the Christmas holiday-, the light is softer, microclimate offers beautiful swimming, sunny days. It finally takes the time to admire still flowering, and white houses to get lost in the quiet lanes of surveying the salt marshes and fragrant pine forests.

Why the Hotel de Toiras Because this family transformed in a hotel of great charm, majestic House from the 17th century posted at the entrance of the port of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, provides the touch of refinement for an invigorating parenthesis. As soon as the threshold of this opulent residence, you feel at home. The furnished comfortable armchairs club and shepherdesses Louis XVI salon and the blond stone fireplace invite you to rest. Like the "lounge" where throne a quarter-of-queue Pleyel and opens to a lovely interior garden fountain. Each of the rooms and suites barrier of shimmering fabrics produced by Pierre Frey, Canovas or Brunchwig. The bathrooms to isolate of the alcove by heavy drapes. Cabinets adorn ancient doors and the minibar are hidden in delicate chests. All these pieces of furniture have chinées in the charentais antique by Olivia Mathé, the young and affable master of places. The small rooms is well-equipped and large, with chimney, offer a superb view of the port, the Vauban Citadel and the ocean.

The market with the chef

The Hotel de Toiras plunges in the heart of the animation of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the living village of the island out of season. Many restaurants and shops remain open, the market and its local productions also stalls. You can get there with the leader to call together the evening menu: lean, sole, Nephrops, bream... fishing and your desires. All fish are caught in the vicinity, fruits and vegetables grow on the island or in the region, the butter to the flower of salt, and goat cheeses are local. After having tasted a few oysters on the port, you will hesitate between a long bike ride - not less than one hundred kilometres of cycle paths criss-crossing the island - or a quiet reverie on the beaches, too wild. Then, it will be good back to sipping tea or immerse themselves in reading before a beautiful outbreak. Here, no false notes will come to disturb this fall Symphony in D...

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IN PRACTICE

Hotel de Toiras, 1, quai Job-Foran 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Tel: 05 46 35 40 32.

Member of the Relais & Châteaux. Open all year. Seventeen rooms including seven suites. From 205 EUR-490 euros for two persons in a superior room with breakfast from August 28 to October 31 (of 335 to 650 euros half board). From 175 euro for 1 November to 28 December.

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And also... Two addresses of charm

The ocean, the wood-Beach hotel.

An old Inn rétaise recently turned into adorable gay and welcoming, hotel with 30 rooms divided in several houses whose decoration combines patinas classic and furniture design. Chambers family with a beautiful swimming pool, bar in the Lloyd Loom chairs and fireplace for fall. Excellent cocktails and pleasant restaurant offering products from the market. Double room from 70 euros up to 100 euros from October to December 2006 (excluding school holidays). Tel: 05 46 09 23 07.

The Seneschal, Ars-en-Ré

A harmless facade, several country houses restored in a contemporary style with a maze of patios bloom. The owners have opted for a happy mixture of styles and eras. Family room very well designed with beautiful spaces separated parents and children. From 65 euros double small room up to 200 euros the "loft". Tel: 05 46 29 40 42.