Aytré (French pronunciation: [ɛtʁe]) is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France.

Aytré
Beach at Aytré
Beach at Aytré
Coat of arms of Aytré
Location of Aytré
Map
Aytré is located in France
Aytré
Aytré
Aytré is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Aytré
Aytré
Coordinates: 46°08′05″N 1°06′48″W / 46.1347°N 1.1133°W / 46.1347; -1.1133
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentCharente-Maritime
ArrondissementLa Rochelle
CantonAytré
IntercommunalityCA La Rochelle
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Tony Loisel[1]
Area
1
12.22 km2 (4.72 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
9,578
 • Density780/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
17028 /17440
Elevation1–21 m (3.3–68.9 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Aytré is especially known for its long beach, which is easily accessible from neighbouring La Rochelle, or Les Minimes. The beach is flat and shallow, making it a good bathing spot for children, and an excellent spot for windsurfing.

The historian Jean Prasteau (1921–1997) was born in Aytré, as was Jean Desaguliers, a Protestant pastor, and father of John Theophilus Desaguliers.

Economy

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Industries are few, and economic activity mainly gravitates around La Rochelle, with the distinct exception of Alstom Transportation. The world's fastest train, TGV, was designed right in Aytré. Oysters are cultivated in the bay and important camping grounds have been developed for tourists during the summer period.

History

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During the Siege of La Rochelle, Cardinal de Richelieu spent time in a farm just to the south of Aytré.

 
Merovingian sarcophagus from Aytré cemetery, Orbigny-Bernon Museum

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1793 1,036—    
1800 758−4.37%
1806 1,038+5.38%
1821 1,185+0.89%
1831 1,320+1.08%
1836 1,390+1.04%
1841 1,453+0.89%
1846 1,451−0.03%
1851 1,463+0.16%
1856 1,466+0.04%
1861 858−10.16%
1866 837−0.49%
1872 766−1.47%
1876 840+2.33%
1881 923+1.90%
1886 913−0.22%
1891 1,019+2.22%
1896 1,102+1.58%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901 1,099−0.05%
1906 1,149+0.89%
1911 1,333+3.02%
1921 1,436+0.75%
1926 1,645+2.75%
1931 2,157+5.57%
1936 2,067−0.85%
1946 2,335+1.23%
1954 3,021+3.27%
1962 5,302+7.28%
1968 6,197+2.63%
1975 6,812+1.36%
1982 7,278+0.95%
1990 7,786+0.85%
1999 7,725−0.09%
2007 8,806+1.65%
2012 8,948+0.32%
2017 8,725−0.50%
Source: EHESS[3] and INSEE (1968-2017)[4]
Panoramic view of the Pertuis d'Antioche from the Pointe du Chay promontory with, from left to right, Fouras, Fort Enet, Ile d'Aix, Fort Boyard, Ile d'Oléron, Île de Ré, La Rochelle, Aytré

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Aytré, EHESS (in French).
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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