How to get to Ré Island?

The Ré island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Vendée. It is one of the most exceptional tourist destinations in France. The ten municipalities that occupy the island are wonderful places to spend a dream holiday.

Are you planning to spend your next holiday there? This guide explains how to get there and the different means of transportation you can use.

The Ré island is attached to the department of Charente Maritime. It is less than 30 kilometers from La Rochelle, the main city of the department. Departure from La Rochelle, it is to join the national road 237 which leads to the famous Pont de Ré. It is the second longest bridge in France and is nearly 3,000 meters long. This bridge was inaugurated in 1988 and is currently the main access road to the island.

You can come to the Ré island by car or via the public transport network. Several buses and coaches commute between the island and the neighboring continental communes. The rates charged by the transport companies are quite reasonable. Once on the island, you can use buses to move from one city to another, but you can also rent a bike.

Before the construction of the bridge, the Ré island was served by ferries which made the junction between La Pallice, on the mainland and the island commune of Rivedoux-Plages. The ferries do not exist anymore, but it is always possible to make the crossing by boat. If you want to approach the island by sea, you can board ships departing from La Rochelle or La Tranche-sur-mer.

In summary, the Ré island is accessed in two ways: by road and by sea. Whatever your departure point, make sure you arrive in La Rochelle and from there, take the route that interests you the most and head for a little piece of paradise, an authentic marvel of the Atlantic.