Today was the last day of this voyage and as per usual it was jam packed with exciting activities to make sure it would be one to remember.
Early morning all of us jumped on a tender to be transported ashore to the lovely Ile D’Aix. It is useful to know a little of the history of the island since it plays an important role in our visit. Originally the island was heavily fortified, with fortifications added by Vauban, the renowned 18th Century French military engineer. It was subsequently improved by Napoleon, in order to protect the naval base at Rochefort on the mainland coast. Through the centuries the island was fought over by the French and the English and the fortifications that are still dot the landscape are testimony to this tumultuous past. Today, Ile D’Aix is a tranquil little island with only about 200 full time inhabitants. It is also only a mile and a half in length which makes it a wonderful place to explore by foot or bicycle – and so we did!
After returning onboard for lunch, most of us franticly used the time to pack our bags and get ready for departure as we had a dinner ashore in the cards that evening. Also, the last thing you want to worry about on your last night is whether all your chocolate souvenirs will fit in the bag without being crushed by that heavy Breton butter cake.
La Rochelle greeted us with its 14th and 15th century towers, Le Tour de Nicholas and Le Tour de la Chaîne, located on opposite sides of the harbor. These two towers used to have a chain between them to protect the city. Some of us went on a short guided walking tour to explore the city and many of us even had a taste of 30 year old cognac along with some Pineau des Charentes. Others went out to the countryside to visit the French marshland famously known as the Green Venice to try to spot some wild life.
In the evening we all gathered again for a lovely end of season dinner ashore at Chez Andre which is located in the charming old town of La Rochelle.
It’s hard to believe that the Europe 2.0 season has come to an end. We have simply been so fortunate with the weather these last few days and I think all of us will go home feeling inspired and enriched by all the wonderful experiences we have had this past week on the French Atlantic coast. Europe…we shall return!
