Île-d'Aix Fortifications, Île-d'Aix, France

Isle of Aix (île d'Aix), in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a popular place for tourist day-trips during the summer months. Napoleon famously visited the island in 1808 and gave directions to reinforce the fortifications. He ordered the construction of a house for the commander of the stronghold (today's Musée Napoléon) and the construction of Fort Liedot, named after a colonel killed in the Russian campaign.

In 1809, the Battle of the Basque Roads was a naval battle off the island of Aix between the Royal Navy and the Atlantic Fleet of the French Navy. On the night of 11 April 1809, Captain Thomas Cochrane led a British fireship attack against a squadron of French warships anchored in the Basque Roads. In the attack, all but two of the French ships were driven ashore. The subsequent engagement lasted three days but failed to completely destroy the French fleet.

From 12 to 15 July 1815, Napoleon also spent his last days in France at Île d'Aix, after the defeat at Waterloo, in an attempt to slip past a Royal Navy blockade and escape to North America. Realising the impossibility of accomplishing his plan, he wrote a letter to the British regent and finally surrendered to HMS Bellerophon, which took him to Torbay and Plymouth before he was transferred to Saint Helena.

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Castles and fortifications in France

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Elphias Dodge (2 years ago)
No comfort of any kind, no technologies but a few panorama views. do not go there.

Julie B. (2 years ago)
Lovely little island to visit on foot or by bike...

Elie Chamoun (7 years ago)
Wonderful and relaxing place. Make sure you carry cash on you

Ashvini (8 years ago)
One of the best places to visit in France. A beautiful island.

Nigel Dent (8 years ago)
A great place to spend a lazy relaxing day away from the frantic pace of life in general

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