Take the ferry and the sea bus
Experience water transport in La Rochelle. To cross the Old Port more quickly or to move around like a mini-cruise, the ferryboat and the sea bus in La Rochelle take you to new horizons.
Crossing the Vieux Port by sea: we opt for the ferry
The electro-solar powered “passeur” sea bus, to save time!
Take the shortest route from the Vieux Port to the “Ville en Bois” by crossing La Rochelle’s channel by boat! The electro-solar powered “passeur” sea bus allows you to connect the 250 metres that separate the Vieux Port (old port) from Avenue Michel Crépeau on the other bank. You will get to take the scenic route between La Rochelle’s Towers, which mark the historical entrance to the Vieux Port, and in just a few minutes you can travel from one side of the city to the other.
On the historical centre side, the “passeur” sea bus goes across Cours de Dames. It connects the Michel Crépeau Media Centre and La Rochelle Aquarium, which are a 5 minute walk from each other if you go over the Passerelle du Matelot Jean Rousseau, and the Gabut district with its striking colourful apartments or there is even the Encan and the artists’ workshops to discover.
On the Ville en Bois side, take the “passeur” sea bus from Avenue Michel Crépeau. In 5 minutes you will be right in the heart of the Vieille Ville (old town) of La Rochelle, discovering its incredible heritage, its pedestrian zone and its friendly bars and terraces!
More, the sea bus is accessible to people with reduced mobility, and users with bicycles and strollers.
Period and hours of operation of the electro-solar ferry :
- January to March: daily: 7.30am to 8pm
- April and May: daily: from 7.30am to 10pm
- June to September : every day : from 7.30am to midnight
- October to December : every day : from 7.30am to 8pm
How to get to the marina: a sea bus cruise
The electro-solar powered sea bus, like a mini cruise!
The sea bus, which was launched in La Rochelle in 2009, connects the Vieux Port to the Port de Plaisance (marina) in the Minimes district. This electro-solar powered boat provides a regular service with a 15-20 minute journey.
On your trip, you will be able to see the Vieux Port at the end of the channel, as well as the coastal landscapes including Plage de La Concurrence and Parc d’Orbigny. You will get up close to the Richelieu buoy before going round the Nouveau Monde sea wall and going into the enclosure of La Rochelle’s Port de Plaisance.
Period and time of operation of the electro-solar sea bus :
- Winter period (October to March): weekends, public holidays, school holidays (all zones):
Departure from Vieux-Port: from 2pm to 6pm, one departure every hour
Departure Port des Minimes: from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm, one departure every hour
- Mid-season (April, May, September): every day
Departure from the Old Port: from 10am to 7pm, one departure every hour except at 1pm
Departure Port des Minimes: from 10.30am to 7.30pm, one departure every hour except at 1.30pm
- Summer (July / August): every day
Departure from the Old Port: from 8.30am to 11.30pm, one departure every 30 minutes except at 9am
Departure Port des Minimes: from 9.00 am to midnight, one departure every 30 minutes except at 9.30 am
- From June 1st : every day
Departure Old Port: from 9am to 7pm, one departure every hour except at 1pm
Departure Port des Minimes: from 9.30am to 7.30pm, one departure every hour except at 1.30pm
More information here Yélo.