Do you want to cruise around Europe? Why not try sailing in France Atlantic? France's Atlantic coastline has been judged by many avid sailors and yacht enthusiasts as one of the best charter areas in the world. Moreover, many places of interest can be visited and explored. Among these are the islands of Aix, Oleron, and Re.

The origin of France's name is still unclear even at present. However, some European historians stated that it it is derived from the word "Francs" - a name of a tribe that once live in Germany. On the other hand, others have remarked that France's name was from the Latin word "Francia", which has been translated as "the land of the Franks". German scientists also have their own version to the origin of France's name. According to them, the country got its name from the German word "frankon" - a type of spear that is used as a weapon in ancient France. Moreover, the German word "frank", which means "free", was also a part of the long list of France's name's etymology.

The Madam Island is a must-stop and must-see place if you are sailing in the French Atlantic. It is a small island (with an area of less than a mile long) but it offers the perfect serenety and peace of mind. In 1794, 700 priests died in here because of hunger. At present, a cross was erected in the island in memorial of the dead priests.

The island of Aix only holds approximately 250 inhabitants. However, during the summer period, the island experiences a massive influx of visitors. In fact, for the entire duration of Aix's peak season, more than three thousand tourists come to the island. Because of this, several investors in Aix have constructed hundreds of vacation rental houses and beach resorts so that the island's guests can have a place to stay.

When you are cruising in Aix, you can also visit and see several nice neighboring islands. These include the islands of Re, Madam, La Rochelle, and Fort Boyard. You can also cruise your way towards the coasts of Fort Enet, Fort Vauban, Pointe de la Fumée, and Fouras.

Sailing in France Atlantic through the La Palmyre is something you do not want to miss. La Palmyre is a very famous resort in the country's Atlantic region. Aside from having the most gorgeous beaches, it also has lush forests that are good for trekking and adventure. Moreover, the most popular landmark in La Palmyre is the century-old Le Clapet villa. The villa was constructed around 1900. At present, some of its archaic structures are still intact even though there are several modern buildings around it.

About The Author...

D. Browall is with www.sboats.com , an independent directory on yacht charter and sailing vacations. Visit his website if you want to find companies offering yacht charter in France as well as many other popular sailing areas such as sailing in Croatia