Doullens, commune in Somme, France
Doullens is a commune in the Somme department, located about 40 kilometers north of Amiens in northern France. The town centers around a 16th-century citadel with distinctive star-shaped fortifications and surrounding residential areas with traditional regional architecture.
Doullens emerged as a fortified medieval settlement and was redesigned with its current star-shaped citadel in the 16th century during French royal military reforms. The fortress served strategic purposes throughout the 17th century when border conflicts shaped military architecture across northern France.
The town is easily accessible by car via regional road networks connecting larger cities in the area. The citadel can be viewed from the surrounding streets and parks, which offer good vantage points to appreciate its structure without needing specialized access.
The citadel served as a prison during certain periods and held importance in military negotiations throughout its history. This dual purpose as both a defensive fortress and detention facility makes it a lesser-explored chapter of French military architecture.
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