Église Saint-Etienne - Ars-en-Ré

Saint-Etienne Church

For more than a thousand years, the faith and will of the inhabitants of Ars-en-Ré have built, embellished and renovated this very original church. It includes three churches, pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic, which are interwoven in an astonishing continuity. After the vicissitudes of wars and centuries, here it is more beautiful than ever after a recent renovation.

The bell tower : The 28m high octagonal gothic bracketed spire sits on the square Romanesque stone base above the Romanesque transept crossing. The base of the spire is flanked by 4 turrets with belfries. The spire was painted black in the 19th century. It is a landmark for sailors.

Visits are organised by volunteer guides all year round. Information from the Ars Tourist Office: 05 46 29 46 09

Text credit: les amis de l'église d'Ars-en-Ré

Visiting tips, least frequented times (source GooglePopularTime2024)
The Church of Ars en Ré and its famous black and white bell tower are one of the most visited sites on the Ile de Ré. Peak visitor numbers are generally recorded between 1pm and 4pm.
For more peace and quiet and less waiting time, it's best to visit before 12.00 noon. Tip: visit in the early hours of the morning when the church opens, to enjoy the colours through the stained glass windows...