Ile d'Aix Attractions
Off the Pointe de la Fumée lies the little island of Aix (pop. 180), which is closed to motor traffic. Parts of the 17th C. fortifications built by Vauban have been preserved. Napoleon stayed in the Maison de l'Empereur (July 9-15, 1815) before sailing into exile on St Helena; the house now contains a museum. A short distance away is an African Museum. The little church of St-Martin, originally belonging to a Benedictine abbey, has an 11th C. crypt.
Fort Boyard
On the west side of Aix is Fort Boyard, built between 1804 and 1859 to defend the Charente estuary. In 1871 it was used as a prison for the defeated Communards. It is now being converted into television studios.
