Free Rhône river shuttle

The Free Rhône river shuttle, known locally as the Bac à Traille, is a small passenger ferry that operates from the Quai de la Ligne at the foot of the Rocher des Doms. It provides a direct, complimentary crossing over the Rhône river to Île de la Barthelasse, Europe's largest river island.

This shuttle is significant because it maintains a centuries-old tradition of river transit in Avignon. Long before modern bridges spanned the water, these small, specialized boats were the primary method for locals, farmers, and merchants to navigate the powerful currents of the Rhône between the city and its agricultural island.

Taking the short ride across the water is a peaceful experience that completely shifts your perspective of the city. You step off the busy, stone-paved quays of Avignon and, in just a few minutes, arrive on the quiet, green, tree-lined banks of the island.

The true secret of this crossing is the unparalleled view it offers. Looking back from the shuttle toward Avignon provides the absolute best, unobstructed panoramic sightline of the Palais des Papes, the city ramparts, and the Saint-Bénézet bridge—the exact "sublime" view featured in almost every famous photograph of the city skyline.