How to get to the Île de Ré
So you are planning a dream holiday on the Île de Ré, combining water sports, cycling, culture, relaxation, and a luxury family camping experience. Having booked your mobil home at Le Suroit campsite all that remains is to figure out the most cost-effective and efficient way to get there. This article clarifies exactly where we are located and provides a comprehensive guide outlining every possible way to travel to the Île de Ré.
A quick geography lesson: Where is the Île de Ré?
The Île de Ré is an island off the Atlantic coast of France. Part of the department of Charente-Maritime, the island is just off the coast of the department’s prefecture, La Rochelle. As well as its total of 10 villages, including the port town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré to the south of the island, the northern commune of Les-Portes-en Ré, and the central resort town of Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, the island boasts a diverse range of landscapes, from salt marshes to woodland and long sandy beaches. Thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf stream, the island enjoys a warm microclimate throughout the year, which attracts countless tourists from all over France and further afield.
No doubt owing to the island’s draw as a tourist location, it is well served by public transport and is easily accessible using various means of transport…
Travelling to Île de Ré by road
The island is connected to La Rochelle and the mainland by a 3 km bridge, the Pont-de-Ré, which is open 24/7. As such, it is easily accessible by car. An ecotax is charged on each crossing from the mainland to the island (no charge when travelling the other way). The toll varies depending on the size of your vehicle (ranging from €3 for light vehicles in the low season, to €40 for heavy goods vehicles). The ticket office at “Le Belvédère” on the mainland is open from 5:30 am until 9:30 pm, with multi-passes and season ticket options available if you intend to make several crossings.
In terms of public transport, the island’s 10 villages are served by the 150 “La Rochelle-Ile de Ré” bus line. The route runs from the SNCF station in La Rochelle to Les-Portes-en-Ré at the northern tip of the island and tickets can be purchased directly from the driver.
There is also an electric shuttle bus, known as the Navette RespiRé, which runs from the Belvédère car park in La Rochelle to the Sablanceaux car park (Île de Ré). From 30 March 30 to 13 October the shuttle is free of charge, and you can even bring your bike along with you.
Travelling to Île de Ré by rail
The La Rochelle Central Station runs daily connections with Nantes, Bordeaux and Paris. The shortest route from Paris takes 2 hours 44 mins. In addition to the electric shuttle bus, there are also a number of taxi operators on hand to transfer you from the train station to the Île de Ré.
Travelling to Île de Ré by plane
Île de Ré shares an airport with La Rochelle, which is served by both Easyjet and Ryanair. Depending on the time of year you can catch flights to the La Rochelle-Ile de Ré airport from Lyon, Marseille, Porto, Brussels, Geneva, London, Cork, Dublin and even Marrakesh.
Travelling to Île de Ré by boat
The villages of Ars-en-Ré, La Flotte, Rivedoux-Plage, and Saint-Martin-de-Ré all offer visitor moorings if you plan to sail to the island independently. It is, however, essential that you contact the harbour master’s offices in advance, on the following numbers:
The port of Ars – +33 05 46 29 25 10.
The port of La Flotte – +33 05 46 09 67 66
The port of Saint-Martin -+33 05 46 09 26 69
The port of Rivedoux-Plage – +33 05 46 09 39 39
Inter-island cruises are also available for tourists, travelling from the old port of La Rochelle to the Île de Ré. Information such as timetables and ticket pricing are available online, here.
By bike
Last but by no means least, we arrive at the mode of transport for which the île de Ré is most well-known: the bicycle. Cycling is something of an institution on the island, which is a go-to destination for cyclists of all skill levels. The island boasts a vast network of cycle paths covering a distance of 110 km, granting access to numerous sandy beaches, picturesque historic villages, and extensive salt marshes that are home to several species of migratory birds as well as its fascinating salt production industry. With completely flat trails covering distances of up to 60 km, travelling the island by bike is an option that is accessible to young and old alike, regardless of your level of experience in the saddle. However, you don’t have to wait until you are on the island to start your journey on two wheels…
The Vélodyssée is a famous cycling path that runs along France’s western coast, encompassing 1,200 km of cycling paths and greenways. This includes stages passing through the department of Charente-Maritime, making the Île de Ré a fabulous stop-over for avid cyclists passing through La Rochelle. The Pont-de-Ré bridge from La Rochelle has a dedicated cycle lane, with cyclists exempt from any tolls.
As you can see, in spite of being separated from the mainland by a stretch of water, getting to the island couldn’t be easier, regardless of your starting point. Whether you want the comfort of travelling in your own vehicle, or prefer a more eco-conscious approach such as cycling, public transport, or the electric shuttle bus, getting to the island is simple – the only problem is you won’t want to leave!
