Phare des Baleines

On the westernmost tip of Île de Ré, this 188-foot lighthouse is a fun excursion during the off-season (it’s mobbed during July and August). There’s no elevator, so you climb to the top via a circular staircase, but the rewarding views are expansive. The boutique has some nice Île de Ré finds, including sweet island-specific gifts for kids. There’s an outpost of La Martinière, the artisanal ice cream shop here, but overall, the atmosphere at the lighthouse is rather touristy, so a quick stop is the way to go.