Scale 117 steep, narrow steps inside the bell stone of fortified Église St-Martin for a mighty fine panorama of St-Martin-de-Ré and the coast. The well-used wooden staircase twists up past the bell tower's trio of bells, the largest of which dates to 1890 and weighs a mighty 1140kg. Be warned: the largest bell (called Mary Joséphine Elizabeth) rings for three minutes every half-hour, while another bell (called Angélus) tolls for a deafening 10 minutes at 7am, noon and 7pm each day to announce the traditional call to prayer.
Top tip: safeguard your ticket to ensure half-price admission upon returning at the end of the day for nature's spectacular sunset show.
