The Madam Island

Tourists, stay away!

It is an anonymous little corner: no monument, apart from a small cross in memory of the 700 priests who died of hunger in 1794.

Nevertheless, the visitor is captivated by the silence of this island, which is only one kilometre long.

One can reach it from Port-des-Barques, by car, on a road surrounded by water.

It is obviously necessary to return before the tide rises.

Leaving the vehicle in a car park, one can walk and breathe in deeply the pure air, whilst admiring the landscape, where the square fishing nets, the "carrelets" stand out against the horizon.

Enjoy the silence of a place where there is nothing to do.

You are on the Madam island.

You can visit the inn and the aquafarm of Jean Mineau
(phone 05 46 84 12 67).

To go there

From Royan, follow for about 30 km the D733 road in the direction of Rochefort, and then take, the D238 to the left, in the direction of Soubise, Port-des-Barques and Madam island.

The Madam island is linked to the main land by a track uncovered at low tide called the Passe-aux-Boeufs.

To return in the direction of Royan, one can start from the parking area which is facing the island on the Port des Barques side, on the small road which goes along by the sea, to take advantage of the very beautiful views of the coast and the island of Oléron.

Continue then to Saint-Froult and Moëze and take the D3 which joins Brouage and Marennes.

From Marennes, you can choose to return to Royan by the right bank of Seudre or by the viaduct of Seudre and La Tremblade.