Coming to, moving around, parking on the Ile de Ré
The Ile de Ré, located in the middle of the French Atlantic coastline, is halfway between Nantes and Bordeaux, 2 hours from each of them.
The Ile de Ré is connected to the mainland by a bridge that allows easy access to La Rochelle, 10 minutes from La Rochelle airport, 20 minutes from the train station. It takes 3h10 by train from Paris Montparnasse to La Rochelle station...
To go from the center to the beach, or from your accommodation to the market, for example, thermal or electric shuttles are available in high season, while other shuttles take you from one village to another. Finally, the regular 3/3E line of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region runs all over the island.
Buses and shuttle services
Throughout the year, the 3/3E "La Rochelle-Ile de Ré" line of the New Aquitaine Region, operated by Transdev Express Sud-Ouest La Rochelle, serves the 10 villages of the Ile de Ré. From La Rochelle (SNCF train station, Place de Verdun, Belvédère, airport - depending on the period), travel time varies from 30 minutes to reach Rivedoux-Plage, the first village after crossing the bridge, to 2 hours to reach Les Portes-en-Ré, at the very end of the island.
The ticket can be bought directly from the driver, in the commercial agencies of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, Place de Verdun in La Rochelle (ticket office of the Cars Régionaux Nouvelle-Aquitaine), or directly via the "Ticket Modalis" application. Specific subscriptions to the line 3/3E are available for a week (12,60€), a month (28€) or a year (134€). Single trip 2.30€ and return trip 4.10€.
Bridge shuttle service
The RespiRé Shuttle runs between the Belvedere parking lot (La Rochelle) and the Sablanceaux parking lot (Île de Ré) at a single rate of 1€. The days of operation vary according to the period.
From July 8 to September 3, you can cross the bridge with the shuttle accompanied by your bike in a specially equipped vehicle for 1€ per trip.
Village shuttle service
Find the free electric village shuttles that allow you to move smartly, ecologically and quickly from one point to another within the village.
The Circulaire shuttle service
The free electric Circular Shuttle allows you to connect Saint-Martin-de-Ré, La Flotte, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré and Le Bois-Plage.
This shuttle is in service from April 1st for 3 villages of the Ile de Ré (La Flotte, Loix and Sainte-Marie-de-Ré) and for the rest of the Ile de Ré from July 7th to September 3rd.
Bikes
The most typical on the island is of course the bicycle, ecological, practical, sportive and often faster than the car on busy days. With more than 100 km of secure bicycle paths, the island is best discovered and experienced by bicycle and its many rental companies offer all kinds of bicycles, including electrically assisted ones, in every village.
On foot
In the interior of the villages, walking also allows you to enjoy all the richness of the island while exercising, the distances remaining reasonable.
Getting around when you are a seasonal worker
Are you going to become a seasonal worker on the Ile de Ré or are you already one? Find adapted transport solutions for all !
