05 46 47 00 35
Escape to the Charente-Maritime islands. Discover 3 exceptional islands: Île de Ré, Île d’Aix and Île Madame. Île de Ré is linked to the mainland by a bridge and Île Madame is accessible by car at low tide, whereas Île d’Aix is only accessible by boat. The ideal opportunity to enjoy a boat trip off the coast of Charente.
Ile de Ré
Discover île de Ré, jewel of the Atlantic coast, famous for its long, fine sandy beaches, its small marinas, its pine forests and even its salt marshes.
Stroll through the traditional villages of the island and visit the famous citadel fortified by Vauban.
Ile d’Aix
Ile d’Aix offers a wide variety of landscapes: green oak forests, small coves, long fine sandy beaches, rounded rocks…
Classed as a “site naturel remarquable” (remarkable natural site), île d’Aix is home to an abundant bird population because it is located on the major migration routes. Discover the island on foot, by bike, or by horse-drawn carriage. Visit the Maison de l’Empereur Napoléon (Emperor Napoleon’s House), the only two-storey house on the island and close to the Fort de la Rade, near the Jetée du Débarcadère (Landing Dock) and Fort Liédot, in the island centre.
Aix is 20 minutes from Oléron, and two piers offer return trips to île d’Aix: one at Boyardville, the other at Saint-Denis d’Oléron.
Ile Madame
Ile Madame is the smallest, but also the wildest and the most mysterious of the coastal Charente islands, and it can only be accessed via “Passe aux Bœufs” and from Port des Barques at low tide… Make sure you check the tidal times!
Walk among the old salt marsh vestiges, follow the path along the eastern side of the island and enjoy a pretty panorama of the Charente and Fouras-les-Bains estuary.
The Ferme Aquacole is the only site of its kind on île Madame. Discover the secrets and the practice of aquaculture, salt harvesting in the salt marshes, and the farming of sea asparagus.
Visit the website for cruises to the Charente Maritime islands
