The island of Aix has not had a peaceful past. For
years, its enviable strategic position made it
the prey of the English and the French, and it
change hands several times during the Hundred
Years’ War, ceding finally to the French. Then it was
fought over by Protestants and Catholics, and later
rased by reformist zealots. By the 18th century the
island was inhabited by only a handful of families…
until Colbert included it in his fortification
project. The forts built here were strengthened
under Napoléon.
Today, this car-free island has found peace at last.
Walking around the island takes about three hours;
there are some charming sandy coves. Twice a year
(on dates fixed by the local maritime authorities)
gourmets can collect fresh crab, wild oysters and
shrimps at Jamblet. You can visit the Liédot fort and
the Fort de la Rade and, in season, watch the oyster
farmers at work at the Anse du Saillant. Another
activity of the island is mother-of-pearl craftwork.
The little walled town is a reminder of the golden
Napoleonic era, as many of the street names attest.
And Napoleo-mania is found all over the island,
especially in the Maison de l’Empereur, where
Napoléon I once slept – the bedroom is particularly
beautiful. Even the Muséum Africain has a
Napoleon corner.
Fouras, opposite the Île d’Aix, was a popular
seaside resort in the 19th century and has lost none
of its charm in the intervening years. The beaches
are an invitation to laze, and there’s great
windsurfing on the Plage de l’Espérance. Colbert
left his mark here too, with Fort Vauban, built in
1689, now open to the public.
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