Rivedoux-Plage

Rivedoux -Plage is a municipality with 2292 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) on the north coast of the Ile de Ré on the French Atlantic coast in the region of Poitou -Charentes in the department of Charente -Maritime.

The village lies at an altitude from 0 to 16 m, has an area of 4.52 km ² and is the first community reached when you leave the mainland near La Rochelle and travels to the Ile de Ré on the Pont de Ré. The bridge was completed in 1987 and made ​​the ships engaged until then unnecessary.

In the north of the village, opposite the Vendeeküste, is a wide, several kilometers long sandy beach, some with a small cliff. Another great beach there is on the southeast coast, across from La Rochelle and the Île d' Oléron. Here also the remains of a former fish lock can be seen. Also from here you can reach the lighthouse Phare de Chauveau at low tide on foot.

Economy

The town lives mainly of oyster farming, which is operated exclusively on the north coast, fisheries, marine tourism and water sports.

In the fertile east of the island farming is done on a more or less large parcels. On the island of potatoes, vegetables and wine are grown mostly. The light to medium sandy soil allows the cultivation of potato varieties, which do not exist in France otherwise. They are the only potatoes in France, the predicate AOC allowed to wear. The vegetables france far marketed under the specially created and protected designation of origin Ile de Ré.

Tourism is also an important industry. There are a large number of hotels and campsites.

History

In 1627 the British under Duke of Buckingham landed on the island in Rivedoux -Plage and Sablanceaux. Jean de Saint -Bonnet, Marquis de Toiras (1585-1636), the island ruled at that time. Under severe conditions, he managed the British repel the island back to free.