The Ile de Ré bridge

There are two ways to get to our campsite on the Île de Ré: By boat: from La Rochelle, Royan, Fouras or La Tranche-sur-Mer; By road: as Île de Ré is an island, by definition, this piece of land is linked to the mainland by a bridge. Whichever way you decide to come to our campsite, the crossing is bound to be rich in emotion and scenic beauty! A panoramic view of the Île de Ré bridge, the most convenient way to reach the island for your vacation.

The Ile de Ré Bridge in a nutshell

Functional and aesthetic at the same time, these are the two words that best describe the Île de Ré bridge.

This engineering marvel, located in the Charente-Maritime department of southern France, is distinguished by its remarkable features.

Length : the bridge is almost 3,000 metres long, making it one of the longest in France.
Structure: a reinforced concrete structure rising majestically above the sea.
Aesthetics : the design of the Île de Ré bridge is sober and functional, with concrete pillars and an asphalt roadway offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Supports: the bridge’s piers are firmly anchored in the sea to ensure stability, while the decks are designed for vehicular traffic.
Panoramic view : crossing the bridge over the Île de Ré, travelers can admire the splendid ocean and landscape views.

The history of the Ile de Ré bridge

The Île de Ré bridge links the island to the city of La Rochelle. The bridge was built to improve access to the island, which was previously served mainly by ferries.

Inaugurated on May 19, 1988, the Île de Ré bridge is an emblematic structure that has profoundly altered transport, economic development and tourism on the island.

The 2.9-kilometer-long structure comprises several sections and viaducts. Construction of the bridge represented a considerable investment for the French state, with a total cost estimated at around 350 million euros at the time of its completion.

Today, the Île de Ré bridge is widely used by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to cross the sea to this beautiful Charente-Maritime island.

Fare to cross the Ile de Ré bridge

Because of the considerable investment it required, but also to regulate traffic flow and ensure maintenance, the Île de Ré bridge is accessible via a toll road. It should be noted that, apart from cars and campervans, for which the rate doubles in the summer season, other vehicle categories are not confronted with a change in rate between the high and low seasons. Finally, a year-round pass is available for residents and employees working on the Île de Ré to cross the Île de Ré bridge.

The Ile de Ré bridge and its toll booth

The Île de Ré bridge toll generates substantial revenues (around 14 million euros per year). These revenues are used in several ways:

Upkeep and maintenance: a significant proportion of revenue is devoted to regular upkeep of the bridge, to ensure its safety and smooth operation.
Debt repayment: a portion of revenues is allocated to repayment of the debt contracted to build the Île de Ré bridge.
Improvement projects: funds are also invested in improvement projects, such as road widening, modernization of toll equipment and safety measures.
Support for local development: certain revenues can be reinvested in local development projects, including environmental preservation, tourism, local infrastructure and public services.