Travelling to the islands

The closest one... And accessible by bicycle!

Ré Island

Located about thirty minutes from the city centre, the Ré Island is connected to the mainland by a 3-kilometre bridge, open all year round.

🚍 By car or bus

• Access via the Ré Island bridge (toll payable at the entrance only).
• The RespiRé shuttle bus runs free of charge between the Belvédère car park in La Rochelle (free parking) and the Sablanceaux car park on Ré Island from April to October. You can take your bicycle with you and cross the bridge free of charge.
• Bus line 3 (Yélo network): regular departures from La Rochelle station to Rivedoux, Sainte-Marie, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, etc.
• Regional bus line 150 ‘La Rochelle – Île de Ré’ (OCEcars – Nouvelle-Aquitaine region): runs all year round between La Rochelle (train station, Belvédère, airport according to timetable) and the 10 villages on the Ré Island. Payment on board (credit cards accepted, please have the exact change ready). Bicycles accepted upon reservation.
• Lines 151 and 152: additional services during the summer.

🏍️ By scooter or motorbike

Crossing the bridge is free all year round for scooters (≤ 50 cm³) and costs €3 for motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles (> 50 cm³).

🚲 By bike

• 100 km of cycle paths on the island: crossing the bridge by bike is a change of scenery in itself.
• Bikes can be hired in La Rochelle or on arrival on the island.
• The Bus + Bike service (summer) allows you to take your bike on board.

⛴️By boat

In summer, regular departures from the Old Port to Saint-Martin-de-Ré (approximately 1 hour crossing).

A real break, without a car

Aix Island

Here, there are no engines, only bicycles, horse-drawn carriages and soft footsteps. The Aix Island is a listed gem, accessible only by sea.

🚤 From La Rochelle

• Direct crossings during the season (April to October) from the Old Port, with a possible stopover at Fort Boyard.
• Booking is strongly recommended in summer.
• Crossing time: 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes depending on the route.

🚗 From Fouras

• Accessible all year round via the sea shuttle from Pointe de la Fumée (20-minute crossing).
• Free or paid parking available near the pier.

🚲 On the island

• You can take your bicycle on the boat (additional charge, reservation required).
• Bicycle hire available on arrival at the quay: ideal for touring the island (7 km).
• Bring a picnic or book a restaurant: places are limited.

Life-size escape

Oléron Island

It is the largest of the three, with varied landscapes, from marshes to wild beaches and charming oyster-farming villages.

🚍 By car or bus

• Access via the free bridge from Bourcefranc-le-Chapus (approximately 1.5 hours from La Rochelle).
• Line 155: Saint-Denis-d’Oléron ↔ La Rochelle – operates from April to September.
• Line 154: Saint-Denis-d'Oléron ↔ Rochefort ↔ Surgères, with connections all year round to La Rochelle and Royan via line 153.

⛴️ By boat

• During the season, there are connections to Saint-Denis d'Oléron or Boyardville, departing from the Old Port of La Rochelle.
• Some crossings stop at Fort Boyard or combine Oléron + Aix.