European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 2, 1959, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Pleasant 1 \ of 7 /cuv/7 -4-1 i of jul Jalc a tourist attractions Are Many on this Little Island off la Rochelle i rive Dou Sabl Anceaux scoot ering Trio leaves ferry at Sabl Anceaux. Scooters Are Ideal for negotiating path to ruined St. Laurent Abbey. Seibel by Don Walter staff writer you like the idea of one Clay hours but you have no car Here is one you can take even if you Are on foot although it is ideally suited for a motor Scooter and a bicycle would do too. It s a visit to the lie de re an Island with a Holiday atmosphere 18 Miles Long and two to three Miles wide about a Milhol c the French Mainland at. La Rochelle. Tiie Island has nearly everything a Young couple could desire for a sunday  is picturesque historic and pleasantly restful. There is nothing deluxe about its hotels or restaurants and your chances of seeing movie stars or millionaire tourists such As on ischia or Capri Are  Orf the he de re is simple. As you approach by ferry it is something like arriving in another country. Life moves at a slower Pace. People seem a bit detached from the Hustle and worry of the rest of the world. Most of All the he de re France s third largest Island Corsica and the he d oleron Are first and second is always fanned by a fresh sea Breeze. An air conditioned effect that is a Welcome Relief to vacationers coming from the Mainland this summer. Seeing the he de re involves visits tools churches and walled towns. There Are Sandy beaches outdoor cafes and Shady Parks. At Low tide you see Oyster pickers working in Beds that extend for a mile Seaward. And if you Are in a picnic mood there Are Clover scented Fields where Youcan spread out the Tablecloth within View of a Lighthouse an ancient fortress or passing ship. A visit to the Island begins at the port for la Rochelle called la pallice. There Are ferries for the he de re every few minutes with the crossing taking about 15 minutes. However if you take your car and the trip outlined Here is Ideal for motorists As Well As for Drivers of two wheeled vehicles Don t be upset if you Are in for a half hour wait at the la pallice Dock. Saturday and sunday traffic is heavy. Many parisians and others from in land cities have their summer Villas on the Island. " As you sail out of the Busy port but lat the end of the last Century to replace an old fishing Harbor from which the first i Claudette and Boudreaux walk along the mole at the yacht port at Arsen re. Settlers from France to the new world de parted in the 17th Century you notice at he right a huge pier 900 feet Long sex ending in a Quarter Circle into the sea. This is the mole d Escale or maritime pot built 35 years ago to permit the largest Ocean liners and freighters to docket la pallice in any kind of weather. Off to the left you can see the Mast an funnel of the sunken Ocean liner Cham Plain. The ship used to traverse the at Antic with la pallice its Home port. Twas a world War ii casualty. The ferry docks at Sabl Anceaux the Aland s main port of entry and the begin Ning of Highway n733, which runs the full length of the 50-Square-mile Island. Native re thais As inhabitants of the Island Are called Are a Friendly and accommodating lot although the less than10,000 permanent residents Are nearly out numbered by main Landers at this time of the year. The local population is engaged chiefly in Oyster farming asparagus grow ing and the production of a Little known ruse wine. Naturally the tourist Industry stand High on the list of Money earners for the re thais. Hotel accommodations Are simple but like the restaurants their at traction lies in their pleasantness. Every Hing has a maritime atmosphere to arrange a one Day tour of the. He de re a stars and stripes reporter and photographer spent a Day with two men from he co transportation terminal Cornel b at la Rochelle who own italian made scooters. \ sp4 Wayne Seibel of Newton kan., and f\p4 Lee Boudreaux of Youngsville la. Both have been stationed at la Rochelle for several months and have made trips to various parts of the Region. But except for a crossing to Sabl Anceaux that Weitael previously had made neither had yet explored the lie de re. Seibel brought along a French girl Clau Dette Ritz of Chatell Aillon a resort town South of la Rochelle. The two com z soldiers and Claudette followed the coast route to la Flotte firs major port and fishing Village ?topped off to see the ruins of the St. Laurent Abs a photos by Ted Rohde Bey where the remains of a 12th Century Church still Are to be seen. On Clown the Road was one of the longer stops St. Martin. This is the largest town on the Island and sometimes referred Toas its capital although the territory is included in the Charente maritime depart ment for administrative purposes. The town s 2,000 inhabitants Are Fisher men shopkeepers and employees at a fed eral prison Cor inmates condemned to har labor. The prison occupies a historic Cita Del that overlooks the North coast. You Getto the municipal Beach by passing through parts of the fortifications. The waterfront area is lined with Small restaurants such As the St. Hubert and paix where All summer Long oysters on the half Shell Are available. Only Here and at some coastal Points near la Rochelle or farther South toward Biarritz do you find fresh oysters served in. The summertime. Seibel Boudreaux and Claudette Fol Lowed the Highway on to a Point where i Borders a Beach where they found an out door restaurant. After lunch they continued on to the extreme Westerly end of there de re. From St. Martin the Road branches int two sections one following the North slope the other the South. To the South is Bois Plage noted for its Sandy Beach and the neighbouring town of la Cowarde which of fers Tennis courts and camping facilities. Last major town near the tip of the is land is Arsen re with a 12th Century Church that probably is the Island s most notable architectural piece. Ars also is the Island s chief yacht port. Its Little Harbolis bordered by numerous Oyster Beds the Bleines Lighthouse dominates thetis of the Island. The landmark dates from 1854, is 184 feet High. There Are stairs tothe top where one has an excellent View of most of the Island. But the three sight seers decided not to climb and went on to instead to la Conche Beach. Night life on the Island is rather  visitor on a one Day tour will do better to catch a late afternoon ferry to la pal lice and spend the evening exploring la Rochelle s assortment of cafes and dance Halls on the waterfront or to try his Luck at the Casino. One of the architectural treasures of the Island is this 12th Century Church in the town of Arsen re westernmost of re s communities. A visitor-watchfrech5or, 4s of ,.v. ? i Yetf Fri of  a ,. X piles for Ecoy red ,atejrtonef.i.1 Jav " f or a  c ?  i the stars and stripes sunday augur 2, 1959 the stars and stripes Page 13