La Rochelle coast and islands, France. Aerial photograph looking west from the Atlantic coast of France at La Rochelle (lower centre) towards two islands, the Ile de Re (centre) and the Ile de Oleron (centre left). Between the two islands is the Pertuis d'Antioche strait. La Rochelle is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department. The Ile de Re, a popular tourist destination, is 30 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide. In 1987-8, a bridge was built to connect the island to La Rochelle. Photographed on 19 February 2016.