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L'Ile d'Aix et Brouage

Image: iledaix.fr

C'est l'échange et nous sommes bien arrivés en Charente Maritime. Aujourd'hui les élèves sont en cours ce matin pendant que Jean-Yves (notre assistant) et moi sommes ici dans la salle des profs à l'Institution Saint Louis à Pont l'Abbé. Cette semaine on va visiter la cité médiévale de Brouage, puis Fouras et l'Ile d'Aix.

J'aime bien me promener sur l'Ile d'Aix, une petite île sans voitures qui se trouve entre l'Ile d'Oleron au sud et l'Ile de Ré au nord. Selon iledaix.fr l'île est occupé par l'homme depuis l'ère préhistorique, mais sa vraie histoire a commencé avec l'installation d'une communauté monastique au XIe siècle. Plus tard l'île a été fortifiée pour protéger l'arsenal de Rochefort (1666) contre les attaques de la marine anglaise.

L'île s'est dépeuplée après la fermeture de l'arsenal de Rochefort, mais c'est grâce à la baronne et au baron de Gourgaud que l'île s'est ouverte aux visiteurs. Donc aujourd'hui en arrivant sur le bac on trouve de petits commerces, des cafés, des vélos à louer, quelques vignes, des forts à visiter et beaucoup de petites maisons de vacances. On peut faire le tour de l'île à pied en deux heures, avec des vues sur Fort Boyard, la célèbre fortification de Napoléon.

Quant à Brouage, c'est une "place forte" connue pour ses remparts et ses tours de guet, un ancien port de sel et de guerre. C'est un village paisible de commerçants et d'artisans. C'est également un port conchylicole (ça veut dire pour l'élevage des huîtres et des moules). Les touristes aiment y faire des promenades sur les remparts.






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