Ile d'Aix is quite a small island, just two kilometres long, on the Atlantic Coast. The island is reached by ferry from Pointe de la Fumée, two kilometres along a peninsula from Fouras and 30 km south of La Rochelle (summertime only - ferries also leave from La Rochelle and Oléron).
The industry of the island is based around oyster culture, with tourism also playing an important role.
Discover Ile d'Aix
It is useful to know a little of the history of the island since it plays an important role in a visit. Originally the island was heavily fortified, with fortifications added by Vauban, the renowned 18th century French military engineer, then subsequently improved again by Napoleon, in order to protect the naval base at Rochefort on the coast of the mainland.
Fort Liédot was also used as a prison during the French Revolution, then later in both the Crimean and First World Wars.
The island is also well known as the island where Napoleon had a splendid house built. Unfortunately he was only able to spend a few days in the house, in July 1815 while he made his plans to escape to America, before his plans changed and he was exiled to Saint Helena instead.
Explore Ile d'Aix
A pleasant island to amble around, the Ile d'Aix is virtually car free (just fireman, dustbin collection etc), and there are several trails crossing the island (the northern part is more forested, the southern part more exposed).
If you don't like walking, bike hire is available and horse-drawn carriages also carry visitors around the island.
The forts are the main attraction, particularly Fort Liédot which is to the north of the island and now used for occasional outdoor events in summer and can be visited. The fort is broadly square, with the substantial fortifications and rooms surrounding an inner courtyard.
To the south of the Ile d'Aix you can see the Fort de la Rade, an important fort until the early 19th century when Fort Liédot was built.
Just off the coast of the island is Fort Boyard, and reached by boat, this sturdy 19th century fort was subsequently used as a prison - and more recently as the base for a popular French television game of the same name.
In the small town around your arrival port there are a selection of restaurants, and shops providing basic requirements. (The restaurant at the Hotel Napoléon looks very tempting but a bit too expensive for us. Next visit perhaps...)
Museums on Ile d'Aix
The two museums here owe their existence to a certain Baron Napoléon Gourgaud, descendant of the Baron Gaspard Gourgaud who accompanied Napoleon when he was sent into exile on Saint-Helene.
The house which Napoleon owned is now a Napoleon Museum, with a wide collection of paraphernalia related to his life and other military events from his career, including an extensive collection of painting, miniatures and busts.
Close by, there is also an African Museum on Ile d'Aix, featuring the hunting collection of Baron Gourgaud and various artefacts he brought home from his expeditions in Africa. As you might expect from an African explorer and hunter in the early 20th century the collection contains some rather surprising items!
See more islands of France. You can find more travel ideas in the Charente-Maritime guide and the Poitou-Charentes guide.
Arrange a visit to Ile-d'Aix
Hotels in Ile-d'Aix
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Map of Ile-d'Aix and places nearby
Visit near Ile-d'Aix with France This Way reviews
Fouras
While the beaches are the main highlight here in Fouras, be sure to also visit the Vauban fortifications
Fouras guide
Chatelaillon-Plage
The seaside resort of Chatelaillon-Plage has a long sandy beach and a friendly atmosphere
Chatelaillon-Plage guide
La Rochelle
The historic town and monuments and the vibrant harbour area make La Rochelle one of our favourite towns in France
La Rochelle guide
La Rochelle aquarium
The aquarium in La Rochelle features various parts, including a shark tank and many colourful sea creatures
La Rochelle aquarium guide
La Rochelle harbour
The harbour area in La Rochelle is the liveliest part of the town, with numerous restaurants, street entertainers, artists and the aquarium
La Rochelle harbour guide
La Rochelle Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in La Rochelle contains an eclectic mix of items collected by 19th century explorers
La Rochelle Natural History Museum guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Charente-Maritime
Address: Ile-d'Aix, Poitou-Charentes, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.012, longitude -1.172
Plan your visit to Ile-d'Aix, Charente-Maritime
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardins de la Boirie: remarkable garden (13 km)
- Aquarium de La Rochelle: aquarium (16 km)
- Jardins du phare de Chassiron: remarkable garden (16 km)
- La Rochelle: secteur sauvegarde (16 km)
- Rochefort: town of art and history (18 km)
- Brouage Fortifications: grand site of france (19 km)
- Hiers-Brouage: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Forêt de Saint-Trojan: site of natural beauty (20 km)
- La Flotte-en-Re: most beautiful village (23 km)
- Saint-Martin-de-Ré citadelle (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (26 km)
- Forêt domaniale de la Coubre: site of natural beauty (29 km)
- Ars-en-Re: most beautiful village (34 km)
The French version of this page is at Ile-d'Aix (Francais)