Welcome to l'île d'aix

Take the ferry from the Pointe de Fouras, at the Port de la Fumée and cross part of the Antioche sound, landing about twenty minutes later on the Ile d’Aix. Welcome to the ‘land’ of tranquillity.

Here there are no cars, nor buses. 4km long and 600m wide, the crescent-shaped Ile d’Aix is to discover on foot, by bike, or calèche!

• A place steeped in history

Fortified by Vauban - the surroundings of Rochefort’s arsenal were protected through the centuries.  The village on the isle has a number of cobbled streets that are perfect for discovering the authentic local architecture.

• Untamed nature

With hollyhocks everywhere, the Ile d’Aix is a little like a vast garden. In this miniature world where nature reigns, small sandy creeks can be found a little further between the Pointe Sainte-Catherine and the Pointe de Coudepont, edged with forests of pine and cypress. Opposite are the Ile de Ré and the Ile d'Oléron, and by looking a bit further you can also see Fort Boyard. This calm and silent coast lends itself perfectly to fishing, bathing and boat trips. On the Ile d’Aix nothing has changed…but shhh – just like this wonderful place, let’s share that secret.

Located on a peninsula that stretches over 4km opposite the Ile d’Aix, Ile de Ré and Oléron, Fouras went through strong development at the beginning of the last century thanks to the State railways. The fashion for sea baths quickly transformed this little old fishing village into a very popular seaside resort.

• Superb houses

Even today, Fouras contains magnificent residences. These superb villas from the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries dominate the contours of the peninsula and line the large wooded park at the heart of Fouras - an architectural heritage that gives the commune an incomparable style. Fouras has 5 beaches and 3 harbours.

• Sea produce too

Half-way between Rochefort and La Rochelle, Fouras is also a major centre for oyster and mussel culture. The warm currents that cross the far point favour the growth of oysters and mussels. Produce of high quality to consume right here, opposite the ocean, surrounded by these splendid buildings, maritime pines and holly oaks.

To see: Dungeon of Fouras

Departure from Fouras (Aix day)

Schedule with the choice (according to the tide)

Price; 13,00 euros per person (free for 2 persons with group of 40 people)

• Tour of the Fort Boyard + Island of Aix

With a stopover on the Island of Aix (1 hour or more)

Departure from Fouras ( during 1 hour)

Schedule with the choice (according to the tide)

Price 11,00 euros per person

( free for 2 persons with group of 40 people)

• Tower of the Fort Boyard + Island of Aix

With a stopover on the Island of Aix (1 hour or more)

A seaside resort of long standing, Châtelaillon-plage blends quaint charm and careful modernity. All along the promenade, bordered by tamarix, discover the ‘Belle-époque’-style houses from the beginning of the last century.

In total, Châtelaillon-Plage counts more than 750 renovated villas, from cottages to chalets, castles on the sea front and everything in between. This type of architecture, both traditional and imaginative, exotic and full of colours, is both surprising and enchanting.

• The beach: the jewel

3km long, the fine sandy beach of Châtelaillon-Plage is the resort’s crowning glory. Continuously maintained by resanding operations, this beach is an ideal place to relax, with an exceptional panorama over the Ile d’Aix, Ile de Ré, Ile d’Oléron and Fort Boyard which are opposite. A wide range of activities for all the family is also on offer, notably sailing or the different entertainment activities organised by the tourist office and the beach club.

• Events and traditions

With its wide shady streets, park, markets and many events during the summer season, the town centre is particularly pleasant. To the South, the traditional village of Les Boucholeurs is based around mussel and oyster culture, and lives with the rhythm of the tides. Châtelaillon-Plage also has a casino on the seafront promenade and a recognised thalassotherapy centre.

A stone’s throw from Royan, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is a seaside resort of character. The commune has a great many ‘Belle Epoque’ villas, houses that are alternately sumptuous and imaginative, but always with good taste.

Through the years, Saint-Palais has remained a calm yet dynamic holiday resort. Its gentle way of life makes it a choice destination in any season for weekends or short breaks with the family. In the summer, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer becomes a very lively seaside resort, with a wide choice of events and activities.

Five beaches

Saint-Palais-sur-Mer has five beaches, all different the one from the other, supervised in the summer period, but with one thing in common: soft sand. Nauzan beach is a large sheltered cove, ideal for the family or for sailing enthusiasts. Saint-Palais beach, in the middle of the commune yet calm and tranquil, is great for children and adults alike.

La Grande Côte beach stretches over many kilometres and is edged by dunes and forest. In the middle of a residential quarter, Le Platin beach is a long, calm, secluded bay, with legendary rocks. Finally, Le Concié beach is a tiny creek edged with carrelets (fishing huts on stilts) - a great place for privacy.

South of Royan from the high chalk cliff at the end of the large beach, lies Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, a seaside resort at the mouth of the Gironde estuary. A little further South again is another cliff, Vallières, with its lighthouse built in 1900 overlooking the small village harbour.

These two ‘mountains’ are wonderful places for walks, with maintained paths offering superb panoramic views over the ocean and the carved coastline. Protected in the middle, the Vallières ledge borders an ancient, lively town centre as well as a long beach of soft sand.

• A very active beach

The jewel in the crown of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, this long beach more than 2 kilometres long, in the middle of the commune, has kept its wild character. Edged by a pine forest, a wide range of activities are on offer here. With sailing taking pride of place, the commune is a classified station voile (sailing centre). The beach of Saint-Georges-de-Didonne is also the regional capital of sand-karting.

La Tremblade is a destination for nature lovers par excellence. Here, just a few cable lengths from the Ile d’Oléron and not far from Royan, exceptional natural sites and traditional activities go hand in hand.

• A succession of beaches

With 25 kilometres of soft sandy beaches classed as ‘Blue Flag Beaches’, the coast of La Tremblade is a privileged place. The beaches of the Pointe Espagnole (Spanish Headland), the Côte Sauvage (Wild Coast), of the Embellie and the Galon d’Or are all excellent destinations for sailing – the commune has the ‘Station Voile’ (Sailing Resort) quality label – and for watersports: surfing, kite-surfing, windsurfing and sand-karting. All along these magnificent beaches stretches an impressive 6,000-hectare pine forest – a veritable haven of peace. A superb cycle trail crosses the forest and provides access to the beaches right up to the Phare de la Coubre (Coubre Lighthouse).

• Renowned for oyster farming

La Tremblade is also a typical oyster farming harbour both charming and picturesque. Discover the oyster sheds on foot or by bicycle along the channel of La Grève; don't forget to stop for a tasting session on the go.

Located in the middle of a 8,000-hectare pine forest along the Côte Sauvage, La Palmyre-Les Mathes has a number of assets.

A rich and active commerce, and as many hours of sunshine as the Mediterranean coast complete the picture postcard.

• A wide range of activities

At La Palmyre-Les Mathes, you can also enjoy a very wide range of activities: watersports, naturally, and board sports all along the 30km of fine sandy beaches, but also horseriding, tennis, mountain biking, and more besides.

• A zoo of renown

A visit to the zoo de La Palmyre with the whole family is a relaxing day out for a real change of scene. Allow 4 hours to go round this open-air Noah’s Ark. The zoo accommodates more than 1,600 animals and is open all year round. Come and discover the most exotic mammals, birds and reptiles.