Île de Ré toll in Nouvelle-Aquitaine becomes fully automated
The nine automated lanes are set to be fully operational by June
The €3.6 million (including VAT) project is already partially operational, with completion expected by the end of 2026
2020 Pixilated Planet/Shutterstock.
Summer 2026 will mark the first season in which the Île de Ré bridge, inaugurated in 1988, operates without any manual toll booths.
In an effort to modernise one of the last toll systems in France still relying on manual collection, and to ease congestion during peak periods, nine automated lanes are being introduced to fully replace the staffed toll booths. Work on converting the final lanes already began on April 13, and since then, there are no longer any staffed booths in operation.
The €3.6 million (including VAT) project, launched in October 2025, is already partially operational, with three automated lanes in service since January 2026. The remaining six lanes are scheduled to be completed by June, ahead of the summer peak.
The new system is expected to significantly improve traffic flow on the 2,926-metre bridge linking La Rochelle to Rivedoux-Plage to the island. During peak season, around 14,000 vehicles pass through the toll each day, placing considerable pressure on staff. In total, more than three million vehicles use the bridge annually.
Automation should allow the infrastructure to handle this volume more efficiently. The upgraded system will include nine automated terminals, three of which will continue to accept cash payments, alongside support for electronic toll collection, including for heavy goods vehicles.
In addition, the Charente-Maritime Department plans to introduce a licence plate recognition trial by the end of 2026. This system will allow registered subscribers to pass through the toll without presenting a card, as vehicles will be automatically identified.
Since the project costs €3.6 million and tolls bring in about €13.5 million a year, it will pay for itself within just a few months. Historically around half of this revenue has been used for bridge maintenance, while the remainder funds environmental initiatives and local transport services, including the free RespiRé shuttle.
Image caption The €3.6 million (including VAT) project is already partially operational, with completion expected by the end of 2026
