The Fort of Madame Island - The Huts of the Estuary

Built in the early 18th century as part of the Rochefort Arsenal's defence system, the Ile Madame fort is the ideal starting point for exploring the fortifications along the Charente coastline.
Two batteries were built in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 18th century, the engineer Rousselot's redoubt, a 36m square, crowned the top of the island opposite Fort Vauban in Fouras. In the mid-19th century, the addition of a defensive barracks for 250 men on the south-east face of the fort and the construction of a battery facing the harbour of the Ile d'Aix completed the defence of Ile Madame.

Three casemates house exhibitions on the fauna, flora, fishing, geology and history of Ile Madame.

The roof terrace of the fort on Ile Madame is accessible during the guided tour: an incredible viewpoint over the Charente estuary and the sea of the ‘pertuis’.

Guided tours only (times depend on tides).

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