It’ll take you 2 hours to visit the most southern island of the Ponant islands…On Aix island, use your feet, take a bike or ride in a barouche to get around ! Beaches and oyster farms run along the coast. The island is out of time with its fortified village, its forts, its coastal defences. History lovers and children dreaming of adventures will be overwhelmed. Napolean I’s stop in July 1815 is what impresses the most in this prestigious historical past. It’s on this “petite île” (“small island” it was the term Napolean I used) that he passed his last 3 days on French territory before he was sent into exile on Saint-hélène. From Fort Boyard, not far away, to Austerlitz Square or to the national museum dedicated to the man, the emperor’s shadow still looms.
Getting there
All year round
Service Maritime - Société Fouras-Aix
Tel. + 33 (0) 820 16 00 17 (0,12 euro/min)
20 min crossing from Fouras
What to see
Les Fortifications - the defence works
When the naval dockyard of Rochefort was established during the 17th century, the island was covered with fortifications and became the keystone of the defence system.
Information : Tourist Office
Tel. + 33 (0)5 46 830 182 – E-mail : tourisme@iledaix.fr.
Musée Napoléon - Napolean museum
This national museum possesses a whole collection on the napoleon epic and legend.
Open daily except on Tuesdays from 10/1 to 05/31.
Tel. + 33 (0)5 46 84 66 40.
Fort Liédot - Liédot Fort
This building, inspired by sketches made by Napolean I while he was inspecting the island, is a beautiful example of Art of fortification
Individual visits : daily from 07/01 to 08/30 – Group visits : all year round
Information : Tourist Office
Tel. + 33 (0)5 46 830 182 – E- mail : tourisme@iledaix.fr
Musée Africain - African Museum
The museum presents, since 1933, hunting trophies, as well as zoological and ethnographic collections. It all belonged to, a benefactor of the island, the baron Gourgaud, descendant of Napoléon I’s former aide de camp.
Open daily except on Tuesdays from 10/1 to 05/31.- Tel. + 33 (0)5 46 84 66 40.
Getting around/ activities
Guided visits
Guided thematic tours : visit of fort Liédot and of the fortified village.
Historic trail : A fun booklet will help you travel, at your pace, through the island and its history. A fun and interactive activity.
Information: Tourist Office - Tel. + 33 (0)5 46 830 182 – E-mail : tourisme@iledaix.fr
Chez Françoise - Le port
Tél. : + 33 (0)5 46 846 684 - Fax : + 33 (0)5 46 842
325
Le Point chaud - Rue Marengo
Tél. : + 33 (0)5 46 846 192
Nature
The most southern island of the Ponant Islands, Aix Island was in the past covered with vines. It’s a real microcosm. The island is blessed with Charente’s landscapes : coves, fine sandy beaches, woods, meadows… The type of vegetation is also similar to the Mediterranean type with its maquis : strawberry trees, impressive evergreen oaks.
Getting there 
