Aix island
| Île-d'Aix | ||
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| Commune | ||
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 Île-d'Aix
Location within Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
Île-d'Aix
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| Coordinates: 46°00′46″N 1°10′21″W / 46.0128°N 1.1725°WCoordinates: 46°00′46″N 1°10′21″W / 46.0128°N 1.1725°W | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | |
| Department | Charente-Maritime | |
| Arrondissement | Rochefort | |
| Canton | Châtelaillon-Plage | |
| Intercommunality | Pays Rochefortais | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Alain Brunet | |
| Area1 | 1.19 km2 (0.46 sq mi) | |
| Population (2008)2 | 223 | |
| • Density | 190/km2 (490/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 17004 /17123 | |
| Elevation | 0–15 m (0–49 ft) (avg. 9 m or 30 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Île-d'Aix (pronounced [il.dɛks]) is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department off the west coast of France. It occupies the territory of small island of Île d'Aix in the Atlantic. It is a popular place for tourist day-trips during the summer months.
Île-d'Aix is located at the mouth of the Charente River, between l'Ile d'Oléron and the coast of mainland France. The island is also close to Fort Boyard.
During the Roman period, it seems the island was connected to the continent at low tide. It finally took its current shape around 1500.
In 1067, Isembert de Châtelaillon gave the island to the order of Cluny. A small convent was established, which depended on St Martin in Île de Ré.
At the end of the 12th century, France and England fought for the possession of the island. Until 1286, the island was located at the boundary between the French and the English Saintonge, formed by the estuary of the Charente River. During the Hundred years war, Aix became English for about 15 years.
In the 16th century, during the French Wars of Religion, the island became Catholic and then Protestant.
In 1665, nearby Rochefort was established as a strategic harbour for the Kingdom, leading to the construction of many fortifications in the area. Vauban built numerous fortifications on the island, which Ferry completed in 1704.
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Wikipedia