Biking on Ile D'Aix July 8th

Ile D'Aix July 8

We braved the France road system and arrived in La Rochelle, a port city on the Atlantic coast. We found the parking place and figured out the system for paying and took the little shuttle into town. I don't think I could have braved the traffic downtown to find a parking place and then be able to squeeze into it!

We had about an hour and a half to stroll around the city absorbing all the architecture and a church called Saint Soeur. On the street there were live “statues” that did their performance without moving a muscle. Somehow they were able to create the illusion they were suspended in air. I am still trying to figure it out. It was quite mystical. There costumes were pretty cool too but I can't think of anything more boring!

 Here is the portal for La Rochelle.  There is another similar building on the other side of the bay. 

We took a ferry to the island and had a wonderful boat ride that went around the Fortress of Broyard.  It was only one building sitting totally alone in the sea.

We grabbed a bite to eat to take with us and headed for the boat. We were taking a ferry to an island called Ile D'Aix. It took an hour on the boat and we saw a fortress on the way. The island is very small with one store and only a few cars are permitted. The main mode of transportation is bicycle.

You can just walk as well. They have a nice system of trails and we rented bikes to see the 7 kilometer island. There were several beaches for swimming if you were brave enough to go in the cold water. They also had places on the beach to taste the fresh oysters that are famous in this area. We didn't bother as we have them every week here at the house with our door to door delivery. Also on the island are old bunkers.

We passed a pleasant afternoon and then headed back to La Rochelle. We walked around again and decided it was happy hour. So we sat on the street like the french and had a glass of wine.

Quelle Bonne Journee!