Loix is a commune in the south-west of France, located on the north coast of the Île de Ré, in the department of Charente-Maritime (region Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

Geography

Toponymy

The origin of the name of the commune seems rather vague. According to the historian Louis-Étienne Arcère, "A decree of Charles V of the year 1372, gives to the Island the name of Loys" It may be noted, however, that in relation to the ancient island on which the locality is located, it bore the names of Loye (1684 and 1757) and Oye (1675).

History

In 1627, English forces led by the Duke of Buckingham besieged the island. On the 8th of November of that year, at the place called "Feneau", the English were caught in their retreat from the Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. The French and English forces then fought the Battle of the Pont du Feneau, which ended the English invasion. Jean Caylar d'Anduze de Saint-Bonnet, called Toiras, along with the fleet of Louis XIII and Richelieu, repelled the forces of Buckingham, forcing him to abandon the siege and return to England.

Population

Its inhabitants are called Loidais and Loidaises in French.