An unusual and untamed site, Madame Island has tremendous charm. It is connected to Port-des-Barques by the Passe aux Boeufs (a path about 1km long), uncovered at low tide. The island, 1km long and 600m wide, is occupied only by a farm and a few houses. From the north coast, with an abandoned fort, whose casemates can be visited, there are fine views of Fouras, Île d'Aix and its forts, and Île d'Oléron; to the south, salt marshes have been turned into pastures.