La Guinguette du
Port de l'île

Island Feeling

Everyone wants to escape to a desert island. Near Angers, you can. North of the city is the islet of Saint-Aubin (L'île Saint-Aubin). You only get there by a small ferry. 

An old house stands where the ferry meets the shore. The ferryman used to live here; today Alexandra runs the Guinguette du Port de l'île there. I arrive here after a two-hour ride in the pouring rain, from Orleans to Angers. When the sun breaks through again, this seems like the ideal place to end my day in beauty. It is a picturesque setting with an ancient plane tree, peace and quiet, a sunset reflecting off the Mayenne, a sparkling crémant brut in my glass. And the company of Bowie, Alexandra's dog, eagerly ogling my planche de charcuterie. I am still enjoying a second glass, when I hear someone loudly shout "Dernier bac." The ferry, tuned to the rhythm of the sun, begins its final crossing of the day! Swimming across doesn't seem like an option, so I hurry to make it to the other bank yet. The next day I return, this time with slightly more generous timing, for a leisurely bike ride on this car-free island. 

Guinguette du Port de l'île, Angers
(Pays de la Loire)

  • The Guinguette du Port de l'île is open every day from the Easter vacations until early November. The guinguette is accessible only by ferry, which sails until sunset. Those who wish may help operate the ferry. The island floods in winter and during extreme rainfall.

  • Exact opening hours and info about the concerts can be found on facebook. Near the ferry there are both short and long bicycle routes, such as La Vélo Francette.

  • Angers is accessible by high-speed train.