Excursions to Fort Boyard
Fort Boyard is one of the main tourist attractions around the islands of Ré and La Rochelle. Inter-island cruises allow you to visit it, with a stopover on the island of Aix.
You will embark at the foot of the Towers of La Rochelle, for a day of adventure at sea. After an hour’s crossing, you can finally admire this emblematic stone ship. This experience will please children who only know Fort Boyard through the TV game show that takes place there.
The maritime escapade continues with a stopover on the island of Aix. It is a charming destination that can be discovered on foot or by bike, but not by car; this should not be complicated as it is a small island stretching over 3 km long and 300 metres wide.
Take advantage of this stopover to admire the beautiful scenery of the island of Aix, in particular by taking a walk along the coastline or in the heart of the natural forest of ash trees and maritime pines. You can also take a picnic break on a small beach that looks like a Mediterranean creek.
After a swim or a few moments of idleness, return to the docks where the Croisières Inter-Îles ship is waiting to take you back to La Rochelle.
The Hotel Ile de Ré, Les Grenettes, is ideally situated to discover the Charente-Maritime department on holiday
What to see and do on the island of Aix?
The island of Aix is the southernmost of the Ponant islands. It is appreciated as much for its rich biodiversity as for its historical and cultural heritage.
Here are five of the places that are worth a visit during your stay on the island:
- Musée de la nacre : The museum allows you to discover or learn more about the profession of pearl maker, revealing the techniques used to make the shells of molluscs.
- Musée Napoléon : Whether you are a history buff or an admirer of the conquering emperor, you will appreciate this place which tells the story of his epic, from the consulate to the legend.
- Fort Liédot : Built on the basis of Napoleon Bonaparte’s sketches, the fort has a bastioned and fortified military architecture, typical of the 19th century. Guided tours are organised every day by the Tourist Office.
- Musée africain : Visitors come here to discover the zoological and ethnographic collections of Baron Gourgaud, a descendant of Napoleon’s aide-de-camp and a generous philanthropist from the island of Aix.
- La batterie de Jamblet : The museum, with free access, reveals the military history of the island of Aix.
