To reach our campsite on the Ile de Ré, there’s one passage you simply can’t avoid: the Ile de Ré bridge. This structure links La Rochelle, on the mainland, to Rivedoux-Plage, at the entrance to the island. Whether you arrive by car, motorhome, motorbike, bike or on foot, you have to cross it. Before heading over to the Ile de Ré, here’s what you need to know about its length, its history and, above all, its toll rates, updated for 2026.
Key facts to remember
- Almost 2,926 m long (around 3 km), making it one of the longest bridges in France.
- Opened on 19 May 1988, after less than two years of construction.
- A toll paid just once: the fare covers the round trip, so there’s nothing to pay on the way back.
- For a car, expect €16 in high season, €8 in mid-season and €4 in low season (round trip; 2026 rates, source: Ile de Ré bridge authority).
- Part of the revenue feeds into the eco-tax, which funds the protection of the island’s natural spaces.
The toll: rates and how it works
The toll booth is on the mainland side, at the Belvédère, at the entrance to the bridge coming from La Rochelle. You only pay on the way there: the amount covers the round trip, so you won’t need to pay anything when leaving the island. The rate depends on two things: the vehicle’s class (defined by its height, number of axles and weight) and the season of your crossing.
| Vehicle type | High season | Mid-season | Low season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light vehicle (class 1) | €16 | €8 | €4 |
| Motorhome, van, car with large trailer (class 2) | €16 | €8 | €4 |
| Coach, 2-axle heavy goods vehicle (class 3) | €18 | €18 | €18 |
| Heavy goods vehicle, articulated set (class 4) | €40 | €40 | €40 |
| Motorbike, scooter over 50cc (class 5) | €3 | €3 | €3 |
| Bike, pedestrian | Free | Free | Free |
As for the calendar, high season covers the period from 15 June to 15 September, plus the long Ascension Day and Whitsun weekends. Mid-season runs from 2 March to 14 June and from 16 September to 14 November. Low season, finally, runs from 15 November to 1 March. Motorised two-wheelers under 50cc cross for free, as do cyclists and pedestrians. Island residents and professionals also benefit from reduced rates through dedicated subscription schemes.
History and key figures of the bridge
Before 1988, you reached the Ile de Ré by ferry. Faced with sharply rising tourist traffic, the Charente-Maritime department launched the construction of a road bridge. The works contract was signed in 1986, foundation work began in 1987, and the structure opened on 19 May 1988. A project completed in less than two years, thanks to cutting-edge civil engineering techniques.
The figures are dizzying: almost 2,926 m long, 28 piers, most of them standing in the sea, 796 prefabricated segments assembled using prestressed concrete, around 54,000 m³ of concrete and 7,300 tonnes of steel. Four navigable channels offer at least 30 m of clearance for boats to pass beneath. Carried by the D735 departmental road, the bridge cost €91.5 million, entirely funded by the Department. Today it ranks among the longest bridges in France.
Tips for crossing
In summer, Saturday is the busiest day: it’s changeover day for holiday rentals, and queues can build up both at the toll and on the island. If you can, time your arrival for early morning or evening, or pick a day other than Saturday. You can check real-time traffic before setting off using the bridge webcams.
To save time when crossing, cars fitted with an electronic toll tag can use the dedicated lanes. Cyclists and pedestrians aren’t allowed on the central carriageway reserved for motor vehicles: two secure paths run alongside the bridge on either side (cyclists on the north side, pedestrians on the south side), and crossing there is free. A shuttle also connects La Rochelle to the island for those travelling without a car.
Book your electronic toll tag in advance and aim to cross on a day other than Saturday: you’ll arrive on the island with peace of mind, without queuing at the toll.
Pierre Schmitz
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, it’s just a twenty-minute drive to our family campsite in La Couarde-sur-Mer, right in the centre of the island and 600 m from the beach. A swimming pool area, bike hire and peace and quiet are all on the programme: the campsite welcomes you from April to the end of September, so you can make the most of the Ile de Ré.
