Madame Island

Situated at the mouth of the Charente, this 70-hectare strip of land is linked to the mainland and the Port-des-Barques peninsula by the ‘passe aux Boeufs’, a natural tombolo.
aux Boeufs’, a natural tombolo.
It offers visitors a salutary sense of isolation. On foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage, a tour of the island allows you to discover its natural and historical heritage: La croix aux Galets,
built in memory of the rebellious priests; the fort on Île Madame, which explains the island's strategic position at the heart of the estuary; the puits des Insurgés, a freshwater source
source of fresh water; the ‘passe aux Filles’, a submersible path that juts out into the sea, the ideal place to immortalise Fort Boyard; the aquaculture farm, an organic farm inn
where you can sample the island's produce: samphire, oysters, clams, mustard... or quench your thirst on the way.
The island's natural environment has many points of interest: its landscapes and the diversity of its environments, its marshland and farmland, and its wide foreshore uncovered at low tide.
A listed natural site, it is home to a rich and very special flora and fauna. At its western end, a rocky plateau is exposed at low tide. This is an oyster-farming site
and a prime fishing area for oysters, clams and prawns.

Tips: check the ‘Passe aux Boeufs’ crossing times before planning your outing, and bring sturdy, seawater-resistant walking shoes.
Enjoy the island without a car: free parking is available all year round at the entrance to the Passe aux Boeufs.

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