Discover Oléron

Getting around Oleron island

From the Saint-Denis-d’Oléron marina, there are a number of transport options for exploring the island and reaching the mainland. Bicycles, buses, summer shuttles, maritime connections, transport on demand or carpooling: the port of Saint-Denis-d’Oléron is ideally located for exploring the island of Oléron and its surroundings, with or without a car.

For all transport information, a single number is available from the Communauté de Communes: 05 46 85 65 23 (free service, no surcharge).

→ Find all the information on transport and travel (buses, shuttles, cycle paths, etc.) on the CDC Oléron website.

©️ Arthur Habudzik discover oléron island — ©️ Arthur Habudzik

©️ Arthur Habudzik bicycle loan equipment services — ©️ Arthur Habudzik

The bike

The island of Oléron has an extensive network of cycle paths, ideal for reaching beaches, villages and tourist sites from the port. Several rental companies are located in the immediate vicinity:

Localoisirs – 28 bis, rue du Port – 05 46 47 95 32 – loca-loisirs.fr
Vélos 17 Loisirs – 8 bis, rue de la Sicarde – 05 46 36 01 58 – velos17loisirs.com
Greenbike – Marina – 09 81 00 29 17 – greenbike-oleron.com

To plan your routes, consult the Loopi(ile-oleron-marennes.loopi-velo.fr) or Géovélo(geovelo.fr) applications. Cycle route maps are also available from tourist offices and on cdc-oleron.com.

Joining the mainland

Sea link

From April to October, a sea link connects theisland of Oleron to La Rochelle. A practical and pleasant way to reach the mainland without taking the car, directly from the port.

→ Information and reservations: oleron-larochelle.net

Saint-Denis Croisières and Compagnie Inter-Îles (Fort Boyard, Ile d’Aix, La Rochelle) also offer cruises and sea outings departing from the port of Saint-Denis-d’Oléron.

Summer shuttles

In summer, free shuttles run 7 days a week on the Ile d’Oléron. They serve the main tourist sites and beaches, making it easy to get around without a car during the summer season.

Buses and regional routes

The Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional coach network serves the island of Oléron and the mainland:

Route 154: Saint-Denis – Saint-Pierre – Rochefort – Surgères (connection at Rochefort to La Rochelle, route 153; connection at Marennes to Saintes, route 171)
Route 155: Saint-Denis – La Rochelle (from April to September, connection at Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée to Fouras)

22 school routes are also open to the general public, Monday to Friday. Tickets cost €2.30 and are available directly on the bus or in booklets of 10 from tourist offices.

Information and timetables: 09 70 87 08 70 – cdc-oleron.com (under “Buses and trains”) – transcol17@nouvelle-aquitaine.fr

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Explore the island

Transport on demand

A transport-on-demand service is available to island residents from September 1ᵉʳ to June 30. The service allows residents to travel to neighboring towns according to a set schedule:

Saint-Georges-d’Oléron: Wednesday morning
Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings; Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
Dolus-d’Oléron: Tuesday and Saturday mornings; Tuesday afternoons
Le Château-d’Oléron: Thursday and Friday mornings; Thursday afternoons

4 € return – Reservation the day before by 5 p.m. on 05 33 09 47 60.

Carpooling

There are several carpooling solutions for your journeys on the island or to the mainland:

Online platforms: Blablacar Daily, Karos, Mobicoop, Modalis, Covoit (regular routes); Blablacar, Mobicoop (occasional routes)
Facebook group: “covoiturage île d’Oléron” – commission-free
Modalis application: free route planner integrating regional public transport, with a carpooling function(covoitmodalis).

→ modalis.fr

lighthouse gardens ©️ Arthur Habudzik discover oléron — ©️ Arthur Habudzik

Discover the port of saint-denis d’oléron