Opposite the port of La Rochelle, the Ile de Ré is just a few kilometers from the mainland. Its easternmost tip is less than two kilometers from the port of La Pallice.
The Ile de Ré bridge
The island of Ré has been linked to the mainland by a bridge since 1988. With a length of 3 kilometers, it rises 42 meters above the water and runs from the north-west of La Rochelle to Rivedoux-Plage, the first village on the island when you arrive by road. The second longest bridge in France after Saint-Nazaire, the Ile de Ré bridge allows you to reach the island in just a few minutes by car, whereas the ferries linking the two sites by sea could take 45 minutes to 1h30. You can also cross the bridge on foot or by bike. Initially subject to a toll, crossing the bridge now only involves payment of an ecotax by non-insulars wishing to cross the bridge in a motor vehicle.
How much does the Ile de Ré bridge toll cost?
The price of passage over the bridge includes the round trip. From mid-September to mid-June, the charge is 8 euros for a light or intermediate vehicle, and 16 euros during the summer. Motorized two-wheelers over 50 cm3 pay 3 euros regardless of the season. Motorized two-wheelers under 50 cm3 do not have to pay to cross. Access to the bridge is also free for islanders of all types of vehicle, pedestrians and cyclists. Owners of second homes on the island of Ré benefit from a fixed rate of 2 euros all year round. All proceeds go towards financing environmental projects that contribute to the protection of the island’s natural areas.
How long does it take to reach Rivedoux-Plage?
Reaching the center of Rivedoux-Plage from the mainland across the bridge takes 5 to 6 minutes by car, and 15 minutes by bike. From La Rochelle’s Vieux Port, it takes just 35 minutes to reach the island by bike, and 15 to 20 minutes by car. To reach Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the island’s capital, take less than 35 minutes by car from the historic center of La Rochelle. The Ile de Ré can be reached in less than 10 minutes by cab or rental car from La Rochelle airport.
How do I get to L’île de Ré from La Rochelle?
- Buses and shuttles: Buses run regularly between the town of La Rochelle and the villages on the Ile de Ré. The electric shuttle on lines 3 and 3 E (express) departs from La Rochelle SNCF station, serving Place de Verdun and the airport along the way, then crossing the bridge to the Ile de Ré. It then continues its journey through the island’s various villages, from Rivedoux-Plage to Les Portes-en-Ré. It’s a 30-minute journey from La Rochelle SNCF station to Rivedoux-Plage.
- By sea: Inter-island cruises offer a charming arrival on Ré. From April to the end of September, you can set sail from La Rochelle’s Vieux Port for Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the island’s historic capital. Maritime shuttles make the crossing 2 to 4 times a day, and up to 5 times in July, starting at 8 a.m. Fares range from 7.50 euros to 11.25 euros for a one-way trip, and from 15 euros to 22.50 euros for a round trip. Under-4s benefit from a flat rate of 4 euros for both one-way and round-trip travel.
- Alternative routes:There are car-sharing areas on both sides of the Pont de Ré. They enable us to share the cost of crossing the bridge, and make the journey between the island and La Rochelle as quickly as possible. A number of cab companies can also take you from the center of La Rochelle, the train station or the airport.
