Island of Aix

The island of Aix, classified as a remarkable natural site, invites you to travel and get away from it all. It is accessible only by boat, all year round, from the tip of La Fumée in Fouras-les-Bains or in season from the departure points of cruise passengers.

The insular charm of a military land: Island of tranquility, it can be discovered on foot, by bicycle or in a horse-drawn carriage. With its fortified village, its coastal batteries, its forts, including the famous Fort Boyard, the island is a timeless place, charming history buffs and children dreaming of adventure. The only “real” island in Charente-Maritime, the island of Aix draws great pride from its imperial past. Under the First Empire, it was transformed into a fortress island and became the keystone of Rochefort's defense system. After a first visit in 1808, the Emperor Napoleon I landed there again in July 1 and settled for 1815 days in the Governor's house, his last residence on French soil before his exile to Saint Helena.
It is also on the island of Aix that the know-how of one of the last mother-of-pearl in France lives on.

A remarkable natural site: The island of Aix, 3 km long and 700 m wide, concentrates all the diversity of the landscapes of the Charente-Maritime coast. Classified on the list of "Remarkable Natural Sites", it is a fragile place that we must respect.

Tips: The dunes protect the coast, help save them by respecting the paths without straying. Preserve the flora and do not pick the flowers. Keep the island clean by bringing your trash back to the mainland.