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Fouras
and the Peninsula of Fouras
Fouras is not only a family
resort, it is also a place to visit at any time of the year.
Fouras is not only a quiet family
resort, a little off the beaten track and away from the big
tourist centres.
It is also a place to visit at any time of the year and one that
we recommend to all those who stay in Charente-Maritime, whether
it is South of the river Charente or North.
Fouras is 15 km away from Rochefort, 30 km from La Rochelle and
55 km from Royan.
The inhabitants are
called "Fourasins" but when pronouncing the name of the town,
the final ‘s’ is silent.
Its uniqueness comes from its position as a peninsula, at the
north exit of the estuary of the Charente.
The "Pointe de la Fumée"
On arriving at Fouras
by the D937 road, at the entrance to the town, the road forks,
to the right " Plage Nord, Pointe de la Fumée " and to the left
"Centre Ville".
If it is your first visit, to get a general view of the
peninsula, please, go to the right, and visit the Pointe de la
Fumée jetty.
The Pointe de la Fumée is very busy. It is from this jetty that
the ferries depart to the island of Aix and also the boat trips
around the famous Fort Boyard, which is not open to visitors,
leave from here.
From the Pointe de la
Fumée, the Fort Enet is accessible at low tide. It was built in
1810, on the orders of Napoleon 1st.
At low tide, on both sides of the Pointe de la Fumée, the area
becomes the domaine of the oyster producers and amateur
fishermen.
The Pointe de la Fumée is also renowned for its speciality
seafood and fish restaurants.
The Town Centre and the Beaches
You can then return
towards the town centre and park in the car park of Fort Vauban.
It is pleasant to walk along the beach or in the small streets
of the centre with its typical Charentaise low houses.
The characteristic of
the peninsula allows Fouras to offer a variety of beaches facing
all the different horizons, the Plage Nord to the North, the
Grande Plage to the West, the Plage Sud to the South.
The Plage Nord is
lined with beautiful villas built during the first part of the
20th Century.
The walk which overlooks the Grande Plage is very pleasant and
the woods of holm oaks around the Casino are particularly
restful.
Finally, take time to
visit Fort Vauban. After 1666 and the construction of the
arsenal of Rochefort, Fouras occupied a strategic position for
the defence of the estuary of the Charente and the protection of
the Port of Rochefort.
Entry to Fort Vauban is free. The donjon dates from the 15th
Century and the surrounding walls from the 17th
Century.
There is a charge for admission to the museum and for the ascent
to the top of the donjon, from which point you can view the
panorama of the Pointe de la Fumée, Fort Enet, the island of
Aix, Fort Boyard, the island of Oléron, the island Madam.
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