Wood and steel sculptures created with a contemporary design combining wood and steel elements to create truly dynamic sculptures.
Île de Ré – surreal island playground
île de Ré is a finger of land sticking rather uncomfortably out from the coast of France into the Bay of Biscay. Uncomfortably, because it is no more than 60 feet high at its highest point and yet it projects out into one of the most stormy and treacherous pieces of sea in the world.
The place itself is a very odd combination of the old and new.
What you see first is the new. The island is now linked to the mainland by an impressive arched bridge (with, of course, a toll to cross it). This has meant that what was an isolated and insular way of life on the island has, over recent years, changed rapidly as smart money from across France has bought up property there - driven by the vastly improved access. So, first impressions are of a rather unremarkably flat, but smartish holiday destination (which left me sufficiently underwhelmed that I was tempted to turn round and head straight back, despite having just paid €8 to get there).
But behind the veneer is a quite different reality. Until comparatively recently, the only way to reach the island was a tedious and time-consuming ferry, which kept its inhabitants isolated and insular. I suspect they also saw themselves as a breed apart as it seems clear that life on the island was one of unremitting, back-breaking toil - far removed from the reality of life in nearby La Rochelle.
The main industry appears to have been fishing, with the fishermen having to venture out day-after-day, in all weathers, into the Bay of Biscay to bring back the catch.
The dangers associated with the work is illustrated by the fact that, at the tip of the island, there is not just one, but two light houses - the Phares des Baleine. The first was built by the ever-active Vaubin but it was not enough it seems, so a second - taller - lighthouse was built behind it, which is now the tallest lighthouse in France.
The point on which the lighthouses sit is so named because of the frequency with which whales have beached themselves there; not a particularly pleasant thought!
These days, however, the area has become more of a haven for those whose greatest pleasure is balancing as many stones one on top the other as possible - with very pleasing results
And on a tranquil Spring evening, the outlook is a delight.
The main town is St Martin de Ré where, once again, the collision of the old and the new is very evident. The town refers to itself as a fortified city and it is another one of the ever-active Vauban's fortifications - the whole place being surrounded by one of his characteristic enormous stone, star-shaped ramparts.
The heart of the town is the old dock - one which dries out (this one) and one which needs to be kept full to house the expensive yachts moored their, while their owners entertain themselves in the smart restaurants and shops surrounding the harbour.