Rivedoux-Plage (French pronunciation: [ʁivdu plaʒ]) is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France. It is situated on the Île de Ré.

Rivedoux-Plage
Port of Rivedoux-Plage with the Île de Ré bridge in the background
Port of Rivedoux-Plage with the Île de Ré bridge in the background
Coat of arms of Rivedoux-Plage
Location of Rivedoux-Plage
Map
Rivedoux-Plage is located in France
Rivedoux-Plage
Rivedoux-Plage
Rivedoux-Plage is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Rivedoux-Plage
Rivedoux-Plage
Coordinates: 46°09′37″N 1°16′28″W / 46.1603°N 1.2744°W / 46.1603; -1.2744
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCharente-Maritime
ArrondissementLa Rochelle
CantonÎle de Ré
IntercommunalityÎle de Ré
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Patrice Raffarin[1]
Area
1
4.52 km2 (1.75 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
2,374
 • Density530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
17297 /17940
Elevation0–16 m (0–52 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The commune includes the beach of Sablanceau. People who live on the island are called the Rivedousais and the Rivedousaises.[3]

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 635—    
1975 737+2.15%
1982 900+2.90%
1990 1,163+3.26%
1999 1,754+4.67%
2007 2,260+3.22%
2012 2,282+0.19%
2017 2,280−0.02%
Source: INSEE[4]

Geography

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The Rivedoux-Plage includes a small town and a small port, and is located on the eastern end of the Ile de Ré on the coast, across from La Rochelle and bordered by the Pertuis Breton and the Pertuis d'Antioche.

Economy

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Main activities:

  • agriculture: potatoes, asparagus, vines;
  • oyster farming, boating, fishing;
  • tourism (accommodation: two hotels, two campsites, guesthouses, seasonal rentals).

History

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  • Rivedoux was built as a seigneury on 15 January 1480, under the request of Messire Jean Arnaud, squire, and under the permission of the commendatory abbot of the Notre-Dame-de-Sainte-Marie-des-Châtellers abbey, Louis de La Trémoille.
  • On 12 September 1562 Jean-Pierre Arnaud-Bruneau obtained the right to have a port in his lordship, and he created the port the following year.
  • In 1953 Jean Arnaud-Bruneau, the son of the previous Bruneau, built some of the first houses in Riverdoux around his manor
  • In 1595, he added the entire Pointe de Sablanceaux to his estate.

Local Culture and Heritage

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Places and monuments

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  • The Ile de Ré bridge connects the island to the mainland at Sablanceaux in Rivedoux-Plage, at a place called La Repentie in La Pallice
  • The Chauveau lighthouse, located at the southern tip of the Ile de Ré, which is accessible on foot at low tide
  • The redoubt of Rivedoux, a fortification built in 1674 by Vauban
  • The Sablanceaux battery
  • The House of the Count of Hastrel and its tower
  • The tidal mill, built by Mr. Boulineau in 1845[5]
  • Surf and windsurf spots on the south coast
  • Kitesurf spots on the northern coast
  • The north beach. A large beach forming the bay of Rivedoux, stretching from the Ile de Ré bridge to the port
  • The southern beach, stretching from the Ile de Ré bridge to the Pointe de Chauveau. The southern beach includes wheelchair access, and access for people with reduced mobility and impaired vision

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Le nom des habitants du 17 - Charente-Maritime - Habitants".
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  5. ^ "René-Théodore Phelippot", Wikipédia (in French), 31 July 2019, retrieved 16 July 2020
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