Move around cleverly... by sea
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.
Passeur | January to march | April and Mai | June to September | October to December |
---|---|---|---|---|
Days | Every Day | Every Day | Every Day | Every Day |
Time | To 7.30 a.m to 8 p.m | To 7.30 a.m to 10 p.m | To 7.30 a.m to midnight | To To 7.30 a.m to 8 p.m |
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.
In addition, the smuggler is accessible to people with reduced mobility, and users with bicycles and strollers.
Sea bus | October to march | April, mai, september | June | July and august |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day | Weekends, holidays, school holidays (all areas) | Every days | Every days | Every days |
Schedules of drparting from the Old-Port | 10a.m - 6.p.m (one departure every 60min except at 1 p.m) | 10a.m - 7p.m (one departure every 60min except at 1.30 p.m) | 9h - 19h (one departure every 60min except at 1.30 p.m) | 8.30 a.m - 11.30 p.m (one departure every 30min) |
Schedules of drparting from the Minimes | 10.30a.m - 6.30p.m (one departure every 60min except at 1.30 p.m) | 10a.m - 7p.m (one departure every 60min except at 1.30 p.m) | 9.30 a.m - 6.30 p.m (one departure every 60min except at 1.30 p.m) | 9a.m - midnight(one departure every 30min |
More information here Yélo.

Transport in La Rochelle
Experience urban ecology
For more than 30 years, La Rochelle has really shone with its pioneering policy-making about sustainable transport. From bike taxis to electro-solar powered sea buses to electric vehicles, try out all kinds of new ways to travel!
To each his own styleRecommended for you
Family, two or solo … Find smart ideas to satisfy all your desires.