Bernezac.com - France, Atlantic Coast, the island of Aix
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The island of Aix, guaranteed
disorientation... |
... In the heart of the Charentais Archipelago
On the island of Aix, you are in the centre of a circular panoramic view. Clockwise, you will see first of all the Madam island, then the island of Oléron, followed by Fort Boyard, Pertuis d' Antioche, the island of Ré, the bridge of the island of Ré, La Pallice, La Rochelle, the coast, the peninsula of the Pointe de la Fumée, Fort Enet, Fouras, Fort Vauban and the estuary of the Charente.
We like... the crossing
The crossing between Fouras, from the jetty of the Pointe de
la Fumée to the island of Aix takes half an hour.
The crossings by the ferry "Pierre Loti" run regularly all year
long. The ferry carries some commercial vehicles, but it quickly
becomes evident that one is entering a world practically without
cars. The travellers with their suitcases on wheels, the
residents of the island with their small, two-wheel trailers
going shopping on the mainland, the bicycles, the groups of day
tourists, make boarding the ferry a lively and picturesque
experience.
... ways of transportation, on foot, cycling, by carriage
The absence of traffic is a little disorientating
when first landing on the Island and this feeling is
strengthened when passing through the heavy door to the
drawbridge and arriving in the square of Austerlitz, formerly a
military exercise square, old Place d'Armes, a grassy, shaded
space which gently inclines towards the centre of the village.
It is possible to rent bicycles at the port or in the village.
Carriage rides are available from the square of Austerlitz.
... the variety of landscapes
For an island of its size,
approximately 3 km long with 7 km of coast, one is immediately
impressed by the variety of scenery. On this island you will
find every type of landscape of the Charente-Maritime coast ;
sandy beaches, cliffs, pine forests, tamarisks, marshes.
An organic farm balances its
activities with a variety of enterprises, market gardening, the
breeding of Porcheron horses, donkeys of Poitou, mules, and
carriage rides.
Two oyster producers ensure the local production of oysters.
It is said that at the beginning of the 20th Century, there were
40 hectares of vineyards. Today, a tiny domain has been
relaunched with chardonnay grapes.
On foot, it will take two to three hours to make a tour of the
island by following the coastal road but you can always take a
shortcut if you run out of time or begin to feel too tired.
By carriage, a short tour of the island, with a commentary,
lasts an hour. It is a very agreeable way to get a general idea
of the countryside, especially if it is your first visit to Aix.
... walking in the streets of the village
Please, take time to walk
through the paved streets where hollyhocks grow along by the
houses and on the pavements, where wild grass grows between the
paving stones.
Visit the church, the museum of the Emperor’s house, the African
museum and the factory which produces objects and jewels made of
mother-of-pearl, …
... the history
The military fortifications, the walls, the heavy doors of the drawbridge, the moats filled with water, powder stores, the house of Napoleon 1st give evidence of the military and historic past of the island of Aix.
Napoleon first stayed here in 1808, at which time he decided to build a house, the Emperor’s house, which today is a museum.
Napoleon returned here in 1815 after Waterloo. It was here that he spent his last three days on French soil before embarking on July 15th, 1815 for St. Helena with one of his loyal servants, General Gourgaud.
Today, the two main streets which start from Austerlitz square, are named la rue Napoléon et la rue Gourgaud.
You are confronted with this historic military past when first landing on the island. A few metres away from the jetty, you pass through heavy doors to cross the drawbridge to reach Austerlitz square, a grassy space with a gentle incline towards the village, the town, fortified by Vauban and surrounded by moats, filled with sea water, which empty and refill during the high tides.
We suggest you begin the visit with the Fort de la Rade, entry
to which is on the left after crossing the drawbridge. Then take
the path along the top of the walls and make a tour of the
fortification.
From this path there is a beautiful panoramic view of the coast,
the island of Oléron, the two lighthouses of the island of Aix,
and the famous Fort Boyard, about 3 km away. It is interesting
to note that Fort Boyard is registered in the municipality of
the island of Aix.
Notes