©

Ile De Re Aerial View From Max Flights

|

Maxime Pagnoux

  1. Home
  2. Information
  3. Getting to Île de Ré and getting around
  4. Getting to Île de Ré

Getting to Île de Ré

Ajouter aux favoris


How to get to Ile de Ré

Île de Ré is located halfway down the west coast of France, between Nantes and Bordeaux. The island is connected to La Rochelle by a bridge, making it easy to get there.

The Île de Ré bridge was inaugurated on 19 May 1988. It connects the mainland (La Rochelle) to Île de Ré, curving over the water for 2.9265 km and reaching a maximum height of 42 m above sea level.

To get to the bridge, follow signs for ‘Île de Ré’. The toll (péage in French) goes towards an eco-tax, which funds initiatives and measures to protect the island’s natural environment.

Alternatively, just before the bridge toll booth, you can follow signs for ‘Le Belvédère’, where you will find a car park, a view of the bridge, a bar-restaurant, and the bus stops (for buses and shuttles over to the island).

When crossing the bridge from La Rochelle, you will see the port of La Rochelle (La Pallice) on your left.

As you arrive on the island, you will see the Pointe de Sablanceaux (Rivedoux-Plage) and its beaches (Plage Nord and Plage Sud).

Different ways to get to Ile de Ré, depending on how you wish to travel

©

Transport Bus Shuttle Ile De Re

|

Laurence Furic

  Calculate the carbon impact of your journey to Île de Ré

Enter the distance in kilometres, or your itinerary, and select your mode of transport to calculate the carbon impact of your journey.

Île de Ré bridge

To get to Île de Ré, take the bridge!

Since 1988, Île de Ré has been connected to La Rochelle by a bridge spanning almost 3 km, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The toll is payable on the way over to the island, not on the way back. All motorised vehicles (mopeds over 50cc, motorbikes, cars, motorhomes, buses and heavy goods vehicles) must pay the toll. The toll booth is located on the La Rochelle side of the bridge.

You can also opt to cycle or walk across the bridge free of charge, with separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. In high season, free electric shuttle buses make crossing the bridge easy and convenient, as do buses from La Rochelle.

A range of multi-crossing passes are available from the Charente-Maritime département, which manages the bridge. The ticket office is open every day from 5.30am to 9.30 pm.

Find out more about the Île de Ré bridge

 

Eco-tax

An eco-tax has been in place since 1 January 2012, replacing the former toll, to contribute to the protection and management of the island’s sensitive natural areas, notably by employing eco-guards on the island. Thanks to this commitment, and other initiatives, 80% of Île de Ré is preserved and protected from development to this day.

Practical information

Key facts about the bridge

Open: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Free: for pedestrians and cyclists
Low season: from 15/11 to 01/03
Medium season: from 02/03 to 14/06 (except during the Pentecost and Ascension Day bank holiday weekends, including the day before) and from 16/09 to 14/11
High season: : from 15/06 to 15/09 and during the Pentecost and Ascension Day bank holiday weekends, including the day before
Toll* (return ticket): Low season: €4, medium season: €8, high season: €16Speed
Speed limit: 80 km/h
Overtaking: strictly prohibited!

*depending on size of vehicle 

Real-time traffic updates and webcams
Read more
Bus timetables, village shuttles, bridge, transport on demand
Read more

Access and transport

Getting around Ile de Ré
Bus timetables, village shuttles, bridge, transport on demand
Real-time traffic updates and webcams
Île de Ré: avoid the crowds and visit with peace of mind
Rézo Pouce hitchhiking system
Parking lots
Charging stations
Calculate your carbon impact